Vereesaa point of view:
Kingdom of Quelthalas: Windrunner Spire
She woke up with a scream, her arms wailing to the sides with barely no control as she tried to block the blow that was about to reach her, to end her….….only for it to never come.
Even with the shot of adrenaline coursing through her body, her mind felt numb and tired, as if she had been awake all night. She remained still, hoping to quell down her panic. The room remained in darkness, an eerie silence filling the large room with only the sound of her ragged breathing and the creaks of her bed being the only things to break the monotony.
Slowly, her hand started to roam her body, until it reached her left arm before she pinched it. When her skin cried out by her act she stopped with a sigh of relief, realizing that she was indeed awake and in not some kind of secondary dream like landscape. Those were the worst.
``Once again that stupid nightmare…..´´ She whispered as she got back on the bed with one arm covering her face, a pair of tears came sliding down her cheeks, but she quickly dried them with her arm. It had been painful to remember "that" day, to hear their voices with such clarity….with such passion…. The only thing she was grateful was that she had woken up before it had gotten to the worst part of that dreadful day.
It took a while, but after a some time the adrenaline started to leave her system, leaving her heartbeat slow down considerably. Yet she the sensation of wrongness did not leave her side.
Even if it had been a dream the sensations of pain and fatigue were still present. The shouts, the smell of blood and the sound of carnage still resounded within her. It had felt so lifelike….She strongly shook her head. If she did not put a stop to those thoughts the only thing that was about to to linger would be "that" dream. She needed something else to place her attention.
Such distraction appeared on the small round form of a clock placed on a small night table to her left. Noticing that she had woken up a bit sooner than she would have wanted.
A scowl formed over her lips as her eyes narrowed in distaste ``Fuck…..nice way to start the day, eh? She spatted at no one in particular before she stood up from the mattress of the bed. No longer she had any desire to return to sleep, the images of her memory turned nightmare still lingered in her mind and were more than enough of a deterrent.
By the time her naked feet reached the floor she had not enough strength to yelp when she felt the coldness from it.
Though early or not she was done remaining on bed. And the first thing she did was pull away the curtains from the window. Terrible idea, like really bad. The brightness of the morning sun blinded her completely, bringing with it a small migraine as a result of her eyes trying to adjust to the new source of light.
``Fuck! She exclaimed, realizing her fuck up too late as she brought her hands forward in a futile attempt to shield herself ``Note to myself….do not open curtains after waking up...´´ She grumble as she slowly massaged her pained eyes, it would not be long before she started feeling a cold shudder crawl up her spine.
She wasn't surprise when she found why. Her night clothes were soaked in sweat just as much the sheets on the bed if the large wet spot was anything to say by. A tired sigh escaped her lips, she would need to tell one of the servants to clean that up. Not something that she was looking forward. At least there was one thing that got her attention with a positive light.
``Ahh…...at least I did not broke anything this time´´ She sighed in relief. Her shoulders loosing some of the tension they had built up.
The last time she had such an episode she had broke the lamp and they had to buy a new one. She remembered how her sister had tried to convince her that it didn't matter if furniture got damaged. Perhaps said to not put more unnecessary burden over her shoulders, but truth be told, what really annoyed her wasn't that, but that she did not control them.
Sometimes she woke up in peace, her mind drifting from the darkness of the unconsciousness to another bright day. Most of the time she did not. Leaving that aside she noticed some clothes hanging over a hanger left in the middle of the room. A light blue blouse with white edges around her sleeves and a dark set of pants. On top of them a small card.
Her curiosity won her over as she extended her arms forward to grab the small paper envelop.
``Good morning mistress Vereesa. Here you have the set of clothes you asked me about. Try to not get them too dirty or ragged this time. You are old enough to take better care of your things...
She rubbed her sore neck while a smile crept over her face as she dropped the card on the floor.
``Smart ass...´´ She muttered, she had an idea of who was the one responsible behind the note. The writing was very familiar.
Taking another look at the clothes placed before her and its forest fragrance, she wanted nothing but put them on…. yet there was no way she would drenched with sweat as she was. Luckily for her, she knew what to do.
Unlike the crude looking human bathrooms across the their neighboring kingdom, hers was decorated. Both the floor and the walls filled with marble of different sizes and shades of turquoise blue and scarlet on the edges. Combined with a small spell placed within a gem at the ceiling that gave the smell of salt from the sea. A reminder of the sandy coasts south-east of Quelthalas, where in her youth she and her family would go to their summer house to pass the vacations.
Build castles, annoy the hell up of one another….
It felt like a life time ago.
How things had changed in such short spam of time.
She wasn't exactly surprised at the look of her own reflection in the mirror placed just across the room. Her long hair was a complete mess, it looked like a wild dragon hawks nest and the sweat falling across her face did not help either. She did not miss the thick scar on her left temple. A rough parting gift from that Trolls war-hammer. The memory brought back a faint pang of pain course through her skull.
"You should be dead"
A cold shiver ran through her spine at those words, the image of that bloody hammer standing over her head remained there. She surely would have perished that day had Kalira not stop the creature before he could splatter her brains over the field.
She surely had been lucky that day…
Or had she?
With a swift motion she pushed down the lever, allowing the water stream started to pour down from the tap of the bath. The humming of the crystalline liquid over the pristine porcelain brought a soft sense of relief to her heart.
A slow breath left her chest. This would not take long…..
She did take long. Oh Beloree that she did….
It surprised her how easily she had lost track of time while she took the bath. She had expected it to last a ten minutes at best, not an entire hour. Perhaps it had to do with the warmth from the booth or the peaceful atmosphere within the white polished walls…. Or perhaps it was both.
At least I don't look like a half dead rat... she thought with a weak sense of pride.
Her hair lay down, tied in a short pony tail that rested smoothly over her right shoulder as a silvery braid. The blouse shined especially bright, even with no direct contact with the light of day. Its golden trims made of leafs around the edges were a good contrast with the more black lackluster set of pants and the combat boots she had decided to wear. All in all she looked good enough, not too pretentious nor too simple.
She could even smell the faint trails of arcane emanating from the cloth. Possibly a secondary effect from using magic instead of cleaning it manually.
``What a waste of arcane. And they say I am lazy….´´ She mused to herself.
As she walked through the corridor she fought down the urge to look at her left, to avoid looking at a white polished wooden frame of the door, nor the engravings carved on its surface. Words that had been left by her eldest sister ages ago.
It did not took her long to reach the lower levels of the spire, but Just as she was about to enter the kitchen she managed to overheard a soft noise, no...not a sound, a voice. It was repeating itself…... How strange.
Pushing the wooden frame softly she found the reason behind the appetizing aroma. Her sister was wearing her armored regalia with a new addition that brought her eyebrows to rise. Around her chest plate Sylvanas was wearing a white pinky approl while her hands were wearing a pair of blue green kitchen gloves, a bit too large in her opinion as she held a steaming plate.
The smell of recently baked food make her mouth droll.
My oh my…..now what do we got here?
She was happily humming a melody of their youth. She could not avoid noticing how she looked so…. happy.
The sound of her footsteps brought her attention. Sharp features that would have put even the most gifted of nobles to shame were directed at her, warped into a frightening scowl, eyes that of countless times such gaze had put many on their place. Luckily when her eyes recognizance her a smile appeared on her lips.
`` Good morning little Moon, how was your sleep? She asked her as she set the plate on the table and took her gloves off before heading to Vereesa, her arms surrounding her before giving her a tight hug, bringing her closer to her chest.
She slowly responded in kind placing her arms around her sisters back and squeezing it lightly as well, the scent of tulips reaching her nose. It was not for long before the two separated from one another.
``It could have been better´´ She admitted, this caused her sister to narrow her eyebrows, but not really wanting to explain it any further she decided to ask a question to divert the attention `` What about you, Lady Moon, finally deciding to become a chef? She smirked teasingly.
She looked at her before smiling back at her ``Well, well , well...the sleepy beauty has herself quite the mouth at the first hour of the morning´´
``Only when dealing with hyper active big sisters...´´ She snorted as she pinched her sisters left cheek, earning a huff from her sister before she move her hand away softly.
``So…..what is the occasion? She asked rather curious, gazing at the warmth emanating from the plate while she took a seat close by.
``This? Oh, nothing in particular, just that the rangers lodge did not have the right spices for what I intended´´
Her eyes rolled over her head at her sisters obvious absurdity. What kind of a military base would have spices in their store rooms rather than weapons? ``And couldn't the servants do it for you? You know...is their job after all. I don't think Sharlindra or Melisara will take kindly of you taking their job away´´ She said laconically, earning a chuckle from her sister.
Speaking of which, she wondered where both women were. They rarely were outside the spire during the morning. She would need to take a look at that later on.
``Don't be like that little Moon, you know that if you want something done, well, then better do it yourself. Also don't tell that to the servants though, the last thing I need is them on my back, you know how vicious those two can be with a frying pan´´
``Meh...I think not, its been a while since I say you skip dinner to escape Sharlindra's wrath´´
``Now that's cruel, are you not worried about your sisters well being? At all?´´ She said with fake hurt, her ears pinned down her hood in a rather cute way.
``Don't be such a dramatic. If our own bloody politicians and their idiocy all put together did not put you down I doubt she would fare any better. So….did another noble piss at your desk this morning...? ´´ She said, now
``No, of course not. Who do you think I am? That a mere maggot would managed to piss me off so much that I would leave my post and come down all the way here? As if! She exclaimed vivid, her nose wriggled in obvious annoyance.
She merely hardened her glare.
``I cant believe you think that, how outrageous! Sylvanas scoffed in exasperation as she slapped a hand into her forehead. She had to admit that had she not become a ranger, she surely would have gone far as an actress.
She was a natural.
``Lady Moon´´ She tried to probe back.
``Don't lady moon me, sis. Apologize´´
``Oh beloree….perhaps I should had become a dentist instead of a ranger because trying to get something from you that is not filled with half baked truths feels like pulling teeth out. Its unbecoming. We both know that though I have tried to convince you in taking breaks from time to time from that boring desk at Silvermoon you don't listen. Imagine my surprise at seem you here, at the kitchen, cooking…..´´
``What? Cant someone have a hobby?´´
``They can, and as amusing that would be you are not fooling anyone, the only reason I can think of is if someone managed to anger you. A magistrate or a noble? That weasel, perhaps?´´ The image of a certain blonde prince started taking shape on her mind.
A scowl formed around her sisters features as she sent her a glare. ``How rude, …. is that what you tell your sister first hour in the morning?´´
``Well, you are a hopeless workaholic with serious case of bad temper for those who waste your time…. so I think it fits quite well´´ She replied with a grin as she toyed with her hair.
Sylvanas face turned into a scowl, her brows furrowing as she looked at her. She did not know why but she felt a shiver ran through her spine. Luckily for her, the mask broke down rather quickly, allowing a few giggles to come out from those soft lips.
``Guilty as charge´´ She said, waving her hands around in a over dramatic pose ``But mind you that this time I came here on my own volition after it happened, by the backdoor. I have a reputation to up hold you know´´ She replied as she held her hand over her chest plate.
She fought a scoff, her eyes rolling before she set her gaze away from her. She truly was such a dramatic..…
It still felt good.
``Right, right…. Good thing to have you admitting something, by the light how hard it was, I think I am fainting´´
``Now you are exaggerating´´ Replied Sylvanas pinching the bridge of her nose.
``You know that you should rest more these days, you have been working a lot, perhaps even more than your fellow rangers and if there is someone deserving of rest is you. No matter what that evil head of yours may tell you´´ She said, poking her sisters head softly.
``Of course, like always you are right but, now tell me, are you hungry? I prepared this for yours truly!´´ She said giving her a mocking bow. Her ears stiff.
This caused her to pout, she wasn't a child anymore for her sister to treat her like that but she could not avoid the smile that was forming on her lips ``Not really perhaps la….´´ The sound of her guts screaming for sustenance made her blush completely red in embarrassment. Why now of all times..?
``It seems that this little fella over here does not share the same opinion as you do, Little Moon´´ smirked Sylvanas as she pressed her hand over her stomach, her smile open wider when she saw her sisters ears turn even more red.
``F—fine! I will give it a try, happy? She said trying really hard not to sound ashamed but failing miserably. She loathed how easily she managed to annoy her.
``Very much, now sit captain, the plate is not gonna get eaten by itself! She exclaimed as he pointed one of her arms at her, her tone now authoritarian and stern.
She decided to ignore her sisters "wicked" words, deciding to focus on the plate. Steam coming from it.
She had no idea of what it was, but it did have a rather attractive smell ``So….what is it? I don't think I have seem these plate in Silvermoon, is some kind of human dish? This spices can not be from Quelthalas….imported perhaps? Wait, is that Grilled Catfish with ravenberry!?´´
``Ha! It seems that you are far more perceptible that I gave you credit for, Little Moon. Perhaps I should had made you Ranger Lord instead of Marris´´ She muttered sarcastically.
She shook her head ``You give me to much credit, sis , and please don't. I don't want to deal with the bullshit of responsibility that comes from such positions. Being the first captain its enough for me...´´ She said as she waved her arm in a placating manner, though it seemed the wrong thing to say as a sly grin started to form around her sisters lips.
Now what?
``Aha….. who would have though that a Windrunner, one of my generation would be afraid of paper work?
``You are an ass, you know that?
``Is that so? I don't think there is nothing wrong with it´´ She muttered devilishly with a wide grin to boot as she trailed her hands around her hips. She could not avoid to give it a sideways glance. She wasn't exactly wrong.
She shook her head in annoyance, there was a time and a place for such things and now it wasn't.
``What are you looking at, sis?´´ Asked Sylvanas with a playful tone.
Dammit! ``Urgh you are impossible…..sometimes I think that when we are alone you are not an elf, but some kind of flashy cat who cant stay still´´
``And would that make you? A lazy sea lion?´´
I am a….what!? ``Can we stop doing….whatever is this? I am gonna have the mother of all headaches and we are barely starting the day´´ She muttered half whispered as she held her forehead with both hands.
``Quit whining Little Moon, it doesn't suit you….but if so I will only do so if you tell me how you found out´´
``And I though that Alleria was cruel…´´ She mumble, her head down.
``My o~oh my...now that is not something nice to say to your sister. What she would have said about that, Little Moon? Replied Sylvanas with a snort. A playful smirk on her face that showed those white pearl like fangs.
``That I was a fool to not hit you with the chair when I had the chance´´
She shrugs ``Fair enough, so what you were about to say?´´
``Its just that after my special assignment Rhonin invited me to celebrate our success ´´ She could still remember what had transpired under those six hours she roamed the violet hold with her friend. It had been a cold and especially windy day in the purple citadel, not a very romantic setting like the ones she had read from books but it did fit well to stay indoors and have a nice dinner.
``Sure, it had not been nothing from the other world but it felt…..nice. It was something similar…...but with more sprouts and carrots though´´ She said before casting another look at the plate.
``Is that so? You did not tell me about that. Why so?´´
``Tell you about what? She muttered, trying to make heads of what her sister was trying to say.
``Did something happened….in between?´´ Muttered Sylvanas softly, her gaze unwavering as her hands slowly yet steadily tapped the table.
Her eyes blinked a few times ``I don't think I follow, sis´´
``Really? Nothing at all? I did not take for that kind of girl...´´ She said smugly as she brushed her hair over her shoulder before she sent her another glare, analyzing her reaction.
Girl? That kind of girl? ``Just What is with you being cryptic today? Care to explain or should I bring the spoon? To make the point clearer she caught one of the silver tools on the table before she pointed it at her sister as if it was a weapon.
``I am supposed to feel threatened? Amused?´´ She replied at her. The faint of a smile warping around her lips.
``Be careful Lady Moon, I have a spoon and I am not afraid to use it´´
``Alright, alright! Don't bring the spoon of doom forward me, Little Moon´´ She said politely though with struggle, one would not had an easy time trying to sound cool headed while trying to hold herself from cracking a smile.
``Oh cruel world, defeated by a spoon….what will be left of me?´´ Lamented the general, bringing her hands to her chest, grasping tightly the sapphire hanging from her neck while her face was warped with an overly pained expression. Until she smacked her with the spoon.
``Ouch! Not the eyes, you idiot! I need them!´´ Sylvanas complained as she rubbed her face with her hands though a smile could be seem in her lips. ``If Alleria heard about this, I wouldn't hear the end of it´´
Her sisters words left her to ponder for a few seconds. It surely would have been a sight to behold…. ``Perhaps…. are you gonna behave?´´ She tried to inquire.
``When did you become the older sister?´´ Inquired Sylvanas, a rise eyebrow.
``Each time you turn yourself into a child, so?´´
``Adorable´´
``Syl..´´
`` No, it was nothing to serious, Little Moon. Just myself trying to shield my sister from harm. The world of the adults is such a dark gloomy place...´´
``Oh please, I am not a child! Not since I reached one hundred!´´
``Oh come on sis, you know very well that age doesn't exactly…..make one more mature´´
`` Did you forgot about me going to the war? I am not an innocent lamb! She pouted, crossing her arms around her chest as she sent a glare at Sylvanas, yet to her chagrin instead of looking apologetic she started to laugh.
``You may as well be, sis….´´
Now I get where Kaliras humor comes from. Who would have though I had the enemy right at home? She though with exasperation, waving away the image of that certain trickster looming above her. ``Leaving aside your unfair opinion about myself, is there anything else?´´
`` Yes, what do you think?´´
``That you are an overly jumpy and zealous elf who cant keep herself away from mundane things, especially about what humans I meet? Or that you are just annoying in general?´´ She waved her hands to the sides as if she was addressing a well known matter.
``About the plate, Little Moon. The. Plate….´´ She replied dryly, her hands tapping the table with impatience.
``I have to admit that you always find a way to make something simple in something truly remarkable, why have you not considered opening and dedicating yourself to it? I have heard that keeping hunger at bay is a war on its own´´ She joked.
Now it was her sisters time to roll her eyes.
``Ha! And leave the army in the hands of Nathanos or Lorthemar? Not a chance! The first one wouldn't be capable of making anyone listen to him but his own strike group, which do so because they serve under me. And the latter would force the Fastriders to follow his silly sense of fashion to battle which mind you is out outrageous!´´ She said with a scowl, hiding perfectly the shit eating grin that would have been there. ``Does he think that going to the battlefield in fashion is gonna make him fight better? As if!´´
``I suppose that you know your henchman better than I do…..´´ She said, absentminded, as she brought the cup to her lips, taking a small breath as she took in the flagrant smell of the cup before she took a sip. It´s warmth falling down her throat like a calm tide wave before her eyes widened as a more acid taste started to appear.
Lemon or oranges? Citrus weren't exactly her first choice for tea, rather preferring sugar or milk to accompany it, but it would manage to keep her mind sharp for now.
``That I do´´ She said with pride ``It is after all the duties of a leader to know her people´´
``I have the feeling that they wouldn't like to hear that, should I tell them the next time I meet them?
``Shush you, don't spoil my joy! Said Sylvanas as she waved her arms around. ``Besides, what would they do? Place a reclamation?´´
She did not know why, but the mere thought of having the two Ranger Lords outside her sisters office, with a reclamation in hand while they sent deadly glares to one another as they waited to beg/discuss the view their leader had on them made her burst in laughing. It was just that stupid that she could see it come to reality.
She placed her hands over her mouth in an attempt to stop herself from laughing any further, but to no avail as she continued to shake uncontrollably. Tears falling down her cheeks while she tried to hold herself. She was not surprised to find that she was not alone. Her sister had fallen victim of her own joke as well, though she was faring a little better.
Now that she noticed, without her hood and that eternal frown so characteristic of her sister she seemed like she had lost a few centuries. It was refreshing...
I suppose Lia was right, laughing its the best medicine that there could be…...
The way those lips were softly warped in a gentle smile instead of a scowl or thin line of disapproval, the way her shoulders lacked that ever lasting tension and weight laying on her shoulders at all times...should had been rare, even laughable to consider it, yet in a way it felt natural.
The two of them having a carefree banter of their own at the confines of their home, without being forced to play the roles of General and ranger that they had both become so accustomed was something that she would never give away.
How many fools had tried to approach her and claim they knew her? How many had merely witnessed her from the distance and made their own deluded of? All of them thought they knew what stood before them yet all of them were the same.
Many saw a weapon to clive through their foes, others would see a good match to line their own pockets or rise their prestige, and the rest an unbreakable hero. Getting themselves distracted by her cold exterior. Never taking notice of the ploy that had been set for centuries. Truly a shameful show by her own patriots.
And they say that our people are far more perceptible than other races…. A sensation of bitterness started to creep its way around her heart. The fact that she was one of the few who knew the real Sylvanas was both saddening and relieving.
``Its been some time since we had this much fun…..´´ Muttered her sister, interrupting her thoughts.
She nodded, hiding away those doubts under a shy smile. ``Indeed, too much time spent working our backs to death and too little for ourselves´´
She would need to find a way to make these moments repeat. As she conjured plans to make it possible, she did not pay attention to her sister as she gazed at her with avid curiosity, she remained oblivious until the semblance of her sister slightly darkened
``Is something wrong, sis?´´
``There was something that I wished to ask you. I thought it would be better to wait a bit more to break the ice before anything else….but, how do you feel sister?´´
It took her a few seconds before she could find the right words ``I'm fine..´´ She simply said, not adding anything to it.
``I sense a but in there, sis...´´
``Just…..the same dreams from before, you know...the usual. It is funny, isn't it? I though that after a few weeks without them they were finally gone, I guess I was too quick to take things for granted...´´
``That would explain why you are paler than usual´´ Replied her sister as she put her hand over her forehead, caressing it slowly with her thumb before she gently pulled it away. ``You are cold…..do you need anything at all? Should I call Lia? Last I heard she was near the village´´ She said softly, her eyes looking at her with worry as she extended her hand forward.
``No!´´ She said, perhaps a bit harsher than she intended by the way her sister winced.
``I—I mean…..not at the moment, I think that I will figure it out if I do need something, but thank nonetheless for the offer, sis´´ She smiled at her, though a bit bitterly. It made her feel bad to see how her sisters worried about her when she had no need. It was a fruitless endeavor yet she did it anyways, with what finality she did not know, in the end it wasn't like Sylvanas could rip out from the roots her nightmares with a few kind words, if she could she would had already done it.
``You know, I will always be there for you, if there is something that disturbs you, you can ask for aid. We are the only ones that remain for each other´´ She said as she extended her hand and grasped her own.
It could not be avoided, her gaze wandered from the warmth and safety of her sister hand towards the rest of the table, her eyes landing painfully at those seats that were now vacant. That would forever be empty of their rightful occupants, their names still embedded on the masterfully craftsman of such expensive wood. She felt her stomach freeze, an iron ball slowly forming withing her chest.
Not long ago, in her youth she had thought of their dining table to be remarkable if not a bit big for a family of six, but had not paid much thought apart of it, it wasn't unheard of having some pieces of outlandish furniture by nobility. Now the free space between seats felt unbearable for the two of them. If she concentrated enough, she could swear that she could see the blurry forms of her parents or Alleria appear around them.
Apparitions that had occurred many times over the years, be during the day or the night. To hear their voices, their laughs….their faces, even if only to briefly disappear once she blinked again. Becoming nothing but furtive images that danced away from their senses. Smiling at them, rarely. Scowling at them with disappointment, most of the time.
Reminding them.
Judging them
Tormenting them.
``Yes, you are…...´´
With her gaze still fixated on place she missed her sister downcast look nor her hand tightening into a fist.
`` I know...´´
After that the two remained silent, neither wanting to disturb the another as the weight of those words rested over their shoulders. Her fingers caressed the edges of the cup, its warmth still remaining on the ceramic. She contemplated the yellowy color of the liquid for a few seconds before she took another sip.
``Sis...I know it may be nothing but…..I wanted to ask. Why are you wearing your uniform today? Weren't you in shore leave? I mean...I know you find it comfortable and all, but we are at home. What could go wrong except some birds crashing into the windows and the rare chance of your rangers knocking at the door?
That had been a question that had been dragging her for some time, the only times she wore armor when cooking was when there was some kind of problem that needed to be fixed or when Sylvanas decided that she felt more comfortable in her war gear rather than her blue dress. She hoped it was the latter.
``Why should there be a reason? She replied calmly, yet there was a slight sense of frailty. That added with the way her ears pressed down her hood did not alleviate her curiosity, it only increased it.
``Lady Moon….´´ She pressed again, not taking that answer for granted as her eyes narrowed. Her left hand tapping the table as she left the tea cup. Whatever could make her be uncomfortable could not be good.
An exasperated sigh left her sisters lips, caressing her forehead. ``Why nothing never goes according to plan? It would have been fine had you waited to finish breakfast…. Well, I suppose it cant get postponed any longer, not with you being so inquisitive´´
``Sis?´´
``While you were asleep a message reached me. It seems like is important and I find myself hard pressed to coincide to their request´´
Slowly, her heartbeat started to quicken, the pumping withing her chest the only thing she could feel as she felt the strength of her arms vanish. Leaving them limping at her sides.
`` I—I wont be able to come with for you to see them. I am sorry, I know that we made a promise to always go together on this date, but….I just cant, not today at least´´ Her words were soft, barely a whisper, yet she heard them as plain as the day.
She abruptly stood up from her sit, sending the poor furniture tumbling to the floor in the process as well as the cup of tea, spilling its content on the floor. None of this managed to draw her attention. Her eyes opened wide in shock, her jaw trying to move, to find the right spot to speak up the storm of thoughts going through her mind, yet only empty air escaped her lips, Too dumbfounded to find the right words.
Sylvanas position had changed as well. Though she still remained on her sit, she was no longer smiling, her jaws straightened while her mouth turned into a thin line. Her back was standing a bit for straighter than before and her ears had gone stiff.
She could feel her heart beating like crazy
``Ah…..well, that cup was already old and out of fashion. I suppose now I have the pretext to buy another set. Do you have any preferences, sis? Something flashy with vivid colors, or more natural? Something rustic perhaps?
In a normal situation she would have tried to hold her breath and think clearly, to allow for rational thinking before sprouting whatever nonsense could come through her head…. but again, she wasn't exactly thinking straight nor she found her sisters snide remark funny at all. Her fist landed on the table.
``Don't fucking give me that! What happened!? She exclaimed rather abruptly in her outburst. Her heart ached to see her sister break her promise. What could be so important that she would go back on her promise?
Sylvanas remained silent, her eyes never wavering once as she held her gaze at her. Two pairs of blue ocean like eyes trying to pear through the thick fog of uneasiness that started to cool their hearts. Slowly, she stood up from her seat, her eyes lingering briefly on the broken shards on the ground before switching back at her. ``Perhaps that wasn't the best thing to say...´´ She replied softly, her words apologetic yet with some strength behind them. Probing her.
``You think!?´´
``Alright, alright...before you continue to trash around what remains of your breakfast, let me explain. I think that you owe me that at least...´´ She stated calmly, not an inch of anger present on her features, yet she felt that commanding tone in her tone. She would not be denied.
She did not reply, not right away at least as her heart still ached either angered or hurt. Sylvanas took that as her permission.
``I understand your anger, sis, I truly do….but I have been summoned to the palace. it seemed to be a bit important for how insistent the message appeared to be, I'm sorry….I know that this wasn't what we had in store for the day but it must be done. I thought that you deserved to know it in advance, so you could prepare...´´
``The palace….? The words struggled to made themselves noticed she could barely heard them herself, yet it seemed they had been loud enough as she earned a weak nod from her sister. If that was the case and the royal family had something to do with all of this mess then it would make a bit more sense. Still, she needed to know why. Why now of all times to call her sister? What kind of poison had been brewing withing the court this time?
``What would want those assholes? She spatted. Normally, such disrespect for the crown could get one in trouble or worse, killed, yet in the confines of her own home she knew that she was free to vent out her frustrations.
Sylvanas shrugged``I don't know, they weren't very keen on explaining it on their message. I could guess what it could be, perhaps its another of Kaelthas schemes to gain power on the court or it could be that he broke his neck and I was called to verify the vermin was down for good who knows? She said while flipping her hair to the side. The way she said that last statement was a bit more cheerful than expected, it almost made her snort.
``The former seems more likely. Kaelthas is like vermin, as unkillable as he is unlikable, no matter how one tries´´
``True, but that doesn't change our current situation. A royal command is a royal command, no matter what intentions lay behind. I cant refuse. I am obliged to go….´´
She understood where her sisters was coming from, that did not meant that she was in favor of it
Damn you Kaelthas
Anger filled her heart at the mere thought of the blonde prince and his ill timed tendency to make his existence known. Who else would have called for her sister? Neither the lesser nobles or the king were thrilled about her presence, it could only be him. What motives were behind it she did not know, but it had to be something irrelevant, if only her sister was not warped in red tape she could just ignore it and do her thing.
He had to choose today to mess around...
She grinned her teeth. She knew that if she did not she would not be able to control herself from cursing him relentlessly, but soon those feelings of anger vanished, replaced by the burning sensation of shame within her very own chest. How could she had thought that her sister would abandon them and continue on? Like Alleria had done?
No. She should had known better.
"You are way too emotional, if you don't kept those feelings in check you will never achieve anything remarkable"
Tears were threatening to fall down, yet she repressed them as she bit her lips, her fangs carving their way through the soft flesh with ease, quickly giving way to a metallic taste filling her mouth. Those had been the first words her mother had said to her when she had stated her wishes to follow her sisters footsteps. She had paid them no heed, thinking they were merely an exaggeration.
How right they had been.
How right they still were...
She wanted to say something, anything, apologize….if it was even possible. But when she opened up her mouth her throat felt hoarse, dried like she had spent a week in the desert. To further her embarrassment she found herself under the need to swallow some of her spit before she could utter a mere word.
All of that under the vigilant gaze of her sister.
``I am sorry….I-I should had not lashed out like these. I—I know that this must have hurt you as well, sis. I am truly sorry´´
``It does, though I at least I don't like a child´´ She said, making her wince in embarrassment.
``I suppose I deserved that…´´ She mumbled the apology, her head cast low, not willing to meet her sisters glare.
``Perhaps….but it also shows how much you hold them dear, that is something that no one should ever dispute´´
She stood silent for a moment, trying to regain her breath before she looked back at her sister``So….this is it? You are leaving now?´´
``Yes, sadly it is….., but at least I know that you were able to enjoyed it at least´´ She said, taking away lot of the tension.
``Well...It is hard not to when you cook so well sis! She said as she pouted. Gone were her anger and disappointment, now there was nothing but hollowness inside.
Sylvanas approached her and held her hands, giving them a soft squish ``I wholeheartedly promise you that I will return as fast as I can´´she promised her before she gave her a swift tender kiss on her delicate forehead.
``I understand Lady Moon, be careful with those weasels of the court, they tend to bite´´
``Haha... I am sure I will be fine, I doubt they have grown the teeth needed to hurt the Greatest Ranger General of Quelthalas! She proudly proclaimed as she rose her arms over her head.
``So vain as usual sis. Still take care, every time you came back from the capital you were a basilisk... ´´
``And with good reason! If you were to go as much as I you would find it hard to stay positive through all the bullshit that reins rampant at Sylvermoon, Little Moon. Now I have to go, take care….. ´´ With that said Sylvanas left the room. Her steps echoing around her before the faint sound of the main door closing reached her ears, meaning that she had left the building.
Yet, she decided to stay put.
She did not know how long she stood there in silence, her eyes glued to the now empty chair. Seconds? Minutes perhaps? She did not know. Her mind was too lost in her inner thoughts to care for such things.
Should she go alone? If she was honest with herself she did not wish for that. Having someone else while one had to deal with the um-moving stares of the dead was something that she was grateful of, to do so on her own would be a lot more….. unsettling, and that was putting it lightly.
Wait for her sister? The thought had been entertaining, yet it was easily squandered. Sometimes it took days for her to come back from the capital, to hope for her to finish her business in time would be a fools errand. She could not do that.
What to do, what to do….she did not want to go, yet she did not want to stay idle at the spire, a troubling situation indeed.
``What a mess….´´ She sighed, rubbing her forehead as she badly tried to put down the incoming headache that threatened to loom over her shoulders. She needed something to fix it, something…..strong.
An idea dawned in her mind. She stood up from her seat as she approached one of the shelves, soon a regular a dark red bottle with special markings found its way into her hands.
Its touch was cold and it weighed more than its size spoke about, yet she did not care as she started to pour its content inside her with ease. Only after awhile she stopped and by then the bottle was half way down.
``Ah….better…..´´ She barely breathed out, cleaning up with her sleeve the remains of the wine before she left the bottle on the table. Slowly starting to feel a warmth sensation make its way to her cheeks, her headache vanishing for the moment, allowing her a moment of respite. She had always being light-headed with those things.
It was short lived as once again her eyes lingered on those empty chairs. Biting her lips as thoughts crossed her mind.
"Would they have left you behind? Will you?
Those wordless thoughts lingered withing her, as shadowy tentacles that sprawled from the dark corners of her mind and tightened around her heart in pain. Accusing her, judging her. For her weakness. Did she know? Would they have left her behind?
Will her?
There was only one possible answer to that.
No.
She knew that she could not do that, not to them, not now, not ever. Her fist tightened. She would go and be damn her senseless worries. But just as she was about to leave she glanced at the floor, a grimace taking its place.
``Well, curse it...´´
Whether she liked it or not she would need to clean up her mess, the last thing she needed was Sharlindra to yell at her about why her cup of tea now remained in a thousand pieces on the floor