Chapter Three

"Three heads and three keys to unlock the power of the Beyond.

A key for Power, the blunt strength which chooses neither side of good nor evil.

A key for Wisdom, the understanding and the knowledge to call into battle those who have passed beyond the Veil once more.

A key for Survival, the greatest instinct of all that lives and breathes.

Three heads, three keys, the binding that completes all.

Another head to break the cycle for renewal.

A key for Sacrifice, the willingness to do what must be done no matter the cost.

Four heads, four keys, the binding is broken and the The Potter recreates all,"

Excerpt of the Master of the Watcher Order.

-Fleur Isabelle Delacour, Dragonseed, FREYA, the Valkyrie of the North.

.

IronForge, Home of the Bronzehammer Clan

Jorn Bronzehammer yawns tiredly. The Clan is celebrating one of it's Opening Feasts that is repeated almost every year. It's purpose is to make sure that Ironforge maintain good relations with the tradesmen and merchants that call business to the clan. Of course seeing that it is an Open Feast, "everyone is welcome". Primitive looking humans, proud snotty High Elves from the North of the Continent, sneaky goblin merchants, gnomes, trolls, many are present to partake of the free food, meet new people, find new opportunities for trade or money, strengthen old alliances, but mostly of all to bet on the coming fights.

Every Opening Feast has its own competition for arena fights. There are jousting, melee fights, boxing, wrestling, free for all, archery or javelin throwing. This year however is the Free-For-All fist fight.

Currently the leading the fighter is a human nicknamed The Boulder. Built almost entirely of muscle and boastful as hell, the large giant of a man have thrashed everyone that dare go against him. Even the large two headed Ogre that meets him fist for fist have vomited his liver after The Boulder judo punched his gut spilling the organ out.

As massive cheers erupt from inside the underground arena, Jorn Bronzehammer sighs. He has lost a lot of good money after he bets on Deflin Largefist to go against The Boulder. Unfortunately the giant of a man has simply picked up his betted fighter like a little child, twirl him around like a piñata before splattering him on the walls leaving Jorn a thousand gold coins poorer.

Now here he is doing extra duty in an attempt to gain some extra money if only to avoid going hungry tonight due to his loss. Guard duty in an Opening Feast is not as boring as it used to be due to the extra amount of malcontents once the wine and beer starts flowing, but it is still tedious and numb racking. There's also the fact that Magnus Bronzebeard, the current king is a disciplinary to boot and demands that the guards stand during duty in order to "keep them from slacking" leaving Jorn with painful feet from almost four hours of guarding the great doors with a massive dose of boredom. Very little interesting seems to be happening tonight in this area of Ironforge.

He certainly regrets his opinion of boredom when a giant red dragon, the size of an entire mountain lands in front of him and the other guard only a stone's throw away. Ancestors curse his soul. He is not afraid to admit that he pisses inside his chain mail out of utter fear.

….

Let's get this completely straight. Alexstrasza doesn't hate Dwarves, period. She is after all the Aspect of Life and her station demands that she be impartial when it comes to the lives of everyone in Azeroth. It doesn't mean however that since she doesn't hate Dwarves that she likes them. Big no on that with the NO on all caps.

Dragon and Dwarf enmity is deep and generational. Dragons love gold. It is like that favorite meal of yours that you can't just stop wanting every day. As strong as they are however, they simply lack the skill on gathering it. Unfortunately the poor Dwarves are great hoarders of what dragons crave the most. Powerful, prideful, it is not exactly rocket science to know that Dragons would raid Dwarven halls in an attempt to get to the goodies inside. Dwarves of course would not simply allow this and fight back just as hard.

Alexstrasza sighs. She has lost count how many of her kin fell under the strength of Dwarven Weapons and Technology. While unhappy, she does not feel the need to avenge them personally. It is the nature of young dragons to find their own way in life once adulthood strikes. Whatever decision they make, the consequences and rewards are theirs and theirs alone.

"Life-binder, I greet you," the king, Magnus seems to be called greets her.

Alexstrasza resists the urge to roll her eyes at the rather stubborn group of royal guards that surround the king of Ironforge. Magnus himself keeps a level tone but she can feel the tension in his body, like a mice ready to bolt in face of a cat. In her defense, not only the king but everyone in the Hall is currently nervous, the tension ready to be cut in a moment's notice. She's thankful that she has opted her High Elven form the moment she lands else she got a feeling that everyone might have evacuated the hall in fear.

"King Dwarf," she replies evenly making sure to level her voice with neutrality to relax the scared two-legs. "I am not here for trouble or a social call. I do apologize for my barging in. I am currently hunting for an artifact that looks like this," she holds her gauntleted hands up showing a levitating drawing of the "Skeleton Key" that the hermit have told her to look for.

With a nod from the king, one of his guards steps forward taking the piece of floating parchment mid-air. The Queen of Dragons however has to hold back her giggles as the trembling Dwarf looks ready to piss himself in her presence.

"I'm afraid that I am unaware of this kind of artifact Life Binder," says the Dwarf king after looking up and down the parchment. "I know every piece of gold and jewel of the hoards kept in Ironforge. None contains this thing you are looking for. My apologies, Aspect,"

"I know it is not in your care Dwarf king," nods Alexstrasza in confirmation. "I believe however that one of your guests have it and that is why I am here today," she turns her head to the rather potent source of magic that she has been hunting.

Everyone follows her gaze straight to The Boulder who is taking a large draught of ale at the bar, completely unconcerned for her presence. He must have felt every eye in the hall at him for he turns to them all.

"Eh? What the fuck you all talking about?" the muscled man asks slurring a bit. Immediately everyone's eyes go down as at his necklace is the almost carbon copy of the drawing that the Life Binder just showed.

"Mortal that thing on your neck is extremely precious to me. Give it to me mortal and I will exchange it witn this," with a snap of her fingers Alexstrasza showcases a red diamond the size of a fist. It is extremely beautiful with almost living fire glowing inside it. Immediately everyone in the room goes stiff. One look at the glowing jewel and even the most moronic of them knows that the thing is the prize of a kingdom.

Alexstrasza watches as the man stands up before approaching her looking down at the diamond. He is almost as tall as her with green eyes. His hand outstretches and the Life binder feels a sense of contentment at the worthy trade.

She is totally caught by surprise though as the man swats the fire diamond from her hand sending it clattering on the fireplace.

"I am not some cheap mercenary willing to let go of my goods for trinkets. You want the skeleton key? Fine, you want it? Either you fight me for it or….," this time a lewd grin appears at his face as he stares at her, or specifically her cleavage. "…..you fuck me for it,"

The silence that follows is so silent that you can cut it with a knife.

Before Alexstrasza knows what she's doing, her hand is aiming at the face of the mercenary ready to slap his brains out. She does not expect the man to suddenly block her attack before palm pushing her chest sending her backing off a few paces from being outbalanced.

"Hmm, firm tits. Fight it is lizard queen," he laughs removing his shirt showing off his giant muscles. "The Boulder is going to show you how to fight and fuck the dragon queen!" he boasts loudly as a red-faced Alexstrasza regains her composure after having her good self molested. For the life of her she has no idea how the man is able to block her attack. A slap with that kind of power should have turned to grease paste the man on the wall. No matter, she is a dragon and a dragon does not consent to be touched without her consent.

Her warm yellow eyes burned bright with rage and with a draconic roar, fire spews out of her mouth sending many onlookers running for cover. The Boulder however does not run and instead slams his foot into the ground forcing what seems to be a stone wall that blocks the dragon fire.

"How in the world is he able to do that?"

She isn't given time as the wall suddenly explodes with The Boulder aiming a flying kick at her. For the second time, Alexstrasza loses all the helium in her lungs as her navel bends takes the full brunt of the king sending her to King Magnus' throne in an explosion of dust and debris.

Totally ignoring the cries of the Dwarven King about the destruction of his throne and his hall, Alexstrasza groggily stands up her brain working overtime. Whoever this "The Boulder" is, he is definitely almost on par with her in strength. Her avatar form might look lithe but it is as strong as her regular form. This guy just punched a dragon and sends her flying. He is no ordinary human.

Before Alexstrasza knows it, The Boulder is upon her fists and feet flying. In instinct she tries to defend and fight back. First few blows and immediately the Queen of the Red Dragon Flight knows that she is horribly outmatched. For the first time in her life she completely regrets not learning the skills of hand to hand combat while her opponent is obviously an expert. There is little need to learn to know after all when you can simply swat off your enemy with a whack of your tail. Her arms blaze with fire in an attempt to stop the assault if only momentarily from her guard. The Boulder does not waste time going under her guard before making two direct heavy jabs at the sides of her belly before an elbow slam at the skin of her back as she crouches in pain literally makes her eat dirt as the stone floor splits her lip.

"Remember Dragon Queen, the keys you're searching will be imbued either with Power, Wisdom or Survival. They will test you and you have to overcome them," the rickety voice of the hermit bounces inside her brain. Alexstrasza once more would bet her liver if she'll be damned if the one she's facing is not the one with Power.

Only problem is, the only thing that Alexstrasza knows that can overpower is wisdom and intelligence. Both are not her forte since she herself relies on power more. As she cranes her head to the cheering Boulder at her near defeat, she grits her fangs inside her mouth. She has no idea what to do before seeing the skeleton key at the chest of the man. Something clicks inside her brain and she almost beats herself up for not recognizing it. It is so simple and so obvious.

Pushing herself up despite the pain in her gut, Alexstrasza gathers some of her spit and shoots it at The Boulder who turns in anger at her direction. The moment his eyes lay on her however, his face turns into a smug one.

"Little dragon wants another beatdown eh? Don't worry girly, once this fight is over, we will be doing Round Two on the bedroom,"

Despite feeling extremely indignant at the lack of respect and the lewd comment about her, Alexstrasza sucks it up as best as she can instead of lashing out. Preparing herself, she is not disappointed as The Boulder rushes forward at her, fists outstretched. Squashing every instinct of hers about meeting his attack head-on in a trial of strength, she ducks instead feeling the large limb pass over her head before transforming mid-duck.

The result is immediate. The Boulder might have been able to match her avatar form's strength wise. No matter how strong he is though, he is still human sized. No matter the amount of strength, it is simply something to find a giant tail, the size of a mountain side aiming at your face. The

The result is a meaty smack followed by a loud crash as the entire Hall of Ironforge is almost demolished due to her massive bulk. As for The Boulder he catapults anime-like outside before disappearing with a small bling in the night sky, such is the force that hits him. As for Alexstrasza, she wastes no time running outside (and accidentally squashing a dwarf or a dozen) on her way out before her massive wings open taking immediately to the highways of the air leaving behind a ruined Ironforge. At her right talon is a the Skeleton Key glued with magic that she snagged from The Boulder before.

….

Cliff Overlooking Ironforge

The sound of rocks falling is the only thing giving evidence that the empty cliff beneath the light of the moon is not empty. A cloaked figure of shaggy grey stands leaning heavily on a cane stares as the giant red dragon takes to the sky in victory. Beneath his long beard, a smile twitches at the success of the Life-Binder.

A shadow materializes behind the bent figure before solidifying to the form of The Boulder with arms crossed. Compared to the bent old man, he is almost towering in size but he crouches down as he bows at him.

"Master I have done as you asked, the Life Binder succeeds on getting one of the keys from me through trickery?"

"Does she now?" a bony hand outstretches towards him making green mist float from the eyes and nose of The Boulder disappearing into the fingers of the old man.

"I see, I see, quite devious of her,"

"Master, if I may ask, why all these tests? Why do you try to make her prove herself to you?" The Boulder asks.

"For nothing in life can be deemed worthy if one do not fight for it," the old man simply mutters more to himself. "Only through trials can one see what that potentials worth is. The Queen Dragon needs answers, I will be more than happy to tell her, but she must earn them,"

With that final word, the old man snaps his fingers making The Boulder disappear into green mist which then flows inside his nostrils leaving the old man alone in the Cliffside.

"We will see how well you do for the second key, Alexstrasza," he simply mumbles, green eyes blazing. Behind him, the shadow that fell from his visage under the moon is not that of a man but that of a serpent of four-heads.

….

Temple of Elune, Ashenvale

The temple of Elune at Ashenvale is one of the few structures that survived the Sundering and the First War against the Burning Legion. In ancient times before the breaking of the world, it is a place full of visitors from all over coming to pray or meditate under the light of themoon goddess. After the start of the Long Guard when the males of the Night Elven Race go to sleep, the Temple of Elune suffice it to say has become rather empty.

Tyrande Whisperwind, High Priestess of Elune sighs as she looks down at the empty wide halls and beautiful fountains. It is so different from a time she remembers when said courtyard is full of visiting people. Sure Night Elves still visit every now and then for counsel or for simply business. The fact remains though that it is no longer the same as she remembers it.

Closing her head she shakes off such thoughts. Times like these brings old memories that she'll rather forget. Despite the nostalgic memories, Tyrande knows that the peace in exchange they are enjoying now is the price for the sacrifice during the First war.

That is totally why Tyrande doesn't expect a giant white dragon the size almost of the entire temple land a few yards away from the temple's courtyard. She has to slap herself to make sure she's not hallucinating. Last she recalls there is no such thing as a "White Dragon". None of the current flights has that kind of color after all. It is also the most beautiful dragon she has seen with silver hair at its sides and a graceful and slender visage. Despite being terrifying (with a large part of her wanting to hide), Tyrande holds her ground. Unlike the newer races of Azeroth after all, Night Elves have first hand experience when it comes to dragons.

Immediately Sentinels that guard the Temple pop out from every corner, weapons ready as they surround the giant lizard who does not even look remotely worried (it is a bloody dragon after all). Tyrande is just ready to shout from the balcony she is standing in about demanding about its presence here when a familiar figure can be seen entangling itself from the dragon's talons.

"ILLIREA!" shouts Tyrande in concern seeing her daughter from Illidan Stormrage crawl around before vomiting on a bush. With a jump, she clears the balcony and in a few steps at her daughter's side checking her out.

"Are you alright?" she asks looking at the young Sentinel who nods weakly before glaring at the white dragon.

"You said you'll fly safe!" she accuses making Tyrande's heart almost stop at the rather rude addressing to the giant lizard. One way ticket of meeting after all a dragon's gut is by being utterly disrespectful to it. It is common knowledge that when meeting a dragon, respect is always priority number one.

"I did, that's why you did not fall off," the dragoness, Tyrande now knows due to its female dulcet voice replies. "And pull yourself together young one. Your mother is becoming horribly confused,"

"Illirea?" Tyrande simply looks at her daughter questioningly who sighs as she shakily stands up.

"Hi mom, mom this is Fleur, errmm a Dragonssed whose name is FREYA and that," she shakily points at a snoring blue skinned woman at the back of the White Dragon with horns atop her head, is Sindragosa, Freya's ermmmm….friend. She is from the Blue Dragonflight,"

Tyrande only blinks, more questions than answers popping up inside her brain from the "What in Elune's name is a Dragonseed?" to "How in the world did you get tangled up into this?" to her daughter. Unfortunately she is not given the chance to ask her questions for the giant white dragon levels its stare at her.

"Yak Tul, Greetings High Priestess. You already know my name. Your daughter has so graciously offered this temple as a place to stay. For that you have my thanks,"

Tyrande's head snaps back to her daughter who shrugs with a pained grimace at her before looking back at the dragon who seems to be…..smirking?

"And before you start protesting High Priestess, know that your goddess approves of my presence," this time she grins showing large jagged sharp teeth. "Else FENRIS will devour her after all," she stares at the moon prompting the Priestess and every single Night Elf to also look. What they see however makes their heart sink.

The moon shines brightly as ever above. However the shadow of a wolf's head is over it with jaws open wide, large enough to swallow it whole.