Waking up, Tuwana knew it was going to be a bad day. The weather for one was already hot and sweltering even with the Sun barely up. For another, she woke late and had to rush to class. Her only saving grace was the intuitive magic of the Tower guiding her straight to the room she needed.

Arriving out of breath, disheveled, and hungry, the teacher merely pointed her to the end of the line of students. Tuwana rushed to the end, red-faced, as she tried to straighten her tunic and trousers. The fabric stuck to her sweaty skin which made it harder to fix. She could only guess what mess her hair was.

At the end of the line, Tuwana took a breath and tried to peak at the front to see what kind of spell they were attempting today. Her already low spirits fell when she saw they were showing their teacher their progress with firebolt again. It was a spell she wasn't very good at. Correction: she couldn't do it. All she'd been able to do is make sparks. Nor had she practiced.

Fortunately she wasn't alone; a few of the other students barely conjured a candle flame and were sent to stand behind Tuwana. Those who could produce a firebolt got to sit down.

Of course Baradun was already sitting down. Even had his smug smile on as he leaned back on his chair with his feet on the desk. He caught her looking and gave her a wink. The first time they'd been lined up to try this spell, Baradun barely listened to the teacher and with a flick and push of his hand, sent a firebolt perfectly into the center of the target. Even the teacher was surprised.

It was almost Tuwana's turn and the heat seemed to escalate; as well as her anxiety. A dozen reasons she would fail seemed to rush into her mind; each one she tried to silence.

Then it was her turn.

Tuwana stared at the cursed target and suddenly felt very angry. She was the Chosen Successor of the High Priestess! Destined to live in the Temple of Morisanore in the plains of Leilainz; the Temple that rose from the grasslands and touched the sky! It was well established that she had powerful magic in her veins, and damn it, it will obey her!

She moved her hand and wrist how she'd seen Terrance and Baradun do and thrust out her hand.

There was no firebolt.

Instead what erupted was a ripple with tiny electric sparks that engulfed the target and shattered it completely.

Even Tuwana was in shock. Nothing that powerful had ever come from her, not even in her wildest fits at home.

The teacher shook himself and really looked at Tuwana. "That was not a firebolt." He chided, but his tone was gentler than she'd yet heard from him. "But not everyone has a talent for fire. Your talent is much more. For that, you can sit down."

Letting go of a breath she wasn't aware of holding, Tuwana smiled and strode to her seat beside Baradun. Only then did she notice she was no longer angry or anxious; nor was she so warm.

Baradun leaned over to her. "How did you do that?"

Tuwana shrugged. "I am destined to become High Priestess of Azerim. There's obviously a reason I was chosen. Magic is in my Blood. I just need to learn what I can do." Her words were very self-satisfied. She grinned at him, the bad day starting to turn. She was one step closer to being ready for her destiny.

. . .

The years at the Temple of Carlabor had revealed many things to Tuwana about herself. One being that her power came from something much more subtle, and perhaps more wild, than that of the apprentices and masters around her.

Once she learned to let go of the circumstances and prejudices of her past and live more in the present moment, Tuwana found her magic much more tangible. It was more cooperative. It was no longer a beast, beating and clawing within her for escape. Now it was a guardian protector.

As she grew into her power, Tuwana found getting her way was much easier, especially with the younger or less intelligent residents. Perhaps it was more that her peers got used to her and became more accepting. Some even becoming friends with the foreigner student.

Baradun continued to be her best friend during her stay at the Tower. Though he was still somewhat of a mystery to her. From day one he'd been nice to her and accepted her; while others got his condescension and distain. His ruthless ambition tended to chase people away yet he always had time to help Tuwana with certain magic's and actually listen to her explain others. She actually admired his ambition, for it matched her own. As long as he continued to be nice to her, Tuwana didn't care much how he treated others –unless it went against her morals or own plans; which it seldom did. She knew his arrogance and bravado was just a cover for insecurities. What those insecurities were, however, she may never find out.

They saw each other nearly every day and hung out every chance they got. Along with the older gnome Terrance, they learned together, they got into hijinks together, and they got in trouble together.

Then something seemed to change when Baradun turned eighteen and she sixteen. Suddenly they weren't children anymore, but nor were they adults. Not that each of them would gain much more maturity as quickly as regular humans, but the future seemed much closer.

To anyone else, the shift would have been imperceptible it was so slight. As attuned with destiny and the future as Tuwana was, it startled her out of her childish trance of ignorance and dropped her into a present she wasn't prepared for.

Baradun was making plans.

He always boasted that he would be the next High Sorcerer; a position he coveted greatly. How could the current High Sorcerer choose anyone else? Before his boasts were just the dreams of a child playing at being a hero. He would make up grand adventures he would go on and the monsters he would defeat. Oh how he would be loved by the people and feared by his enemies.

It was always him going on the adventures and saving the day. Getting praised and acknowledged.

Then one day, while they were in the nearby forest enjoying a warm day off from their studies, Baradun nudged and told her, "When I become High Sorcerer, Tuwana, we'll go anywhere you want. We'll explore all of Azerim together." His words were frank and decided. He knew his path and that what once was a fantasy had become a goal.

One he seemed to want to share with her.

Tuwana was still too much of a child to realize the full extent of his determination. She just wanted him to keep liking her. So all she said back was, "You'll make a great High Sorcerer, Baradun." Though she did add, "With me as High Priestess, we could be a force for good." Becoming High Priestess was a certainty in her life; having Baradun beside her was the fantasy.

When she got older, her friendship with Baradun got stranger, as well as confusing. Tuwana soon realized that even when she had to be blunt about her future, he would remain stubborn on her continuing role in his life. He didn't get that she had a responsibility to her people as well as all of Azerim. Adventures with her best friend would have to wait.

It was at once aggravating as well as enduring. She wanted to stay in Honeyvale and explore this land as he became High Sorcerer, but that wasn't possible. She couldn't dissuade him from his plans. For no matter how much the lines blurred and moved between them the last several years, Tuwana knew they would part. That day when her best friend and she would fall apart was fast approaching

. . .

As the three of them started their training together, they had become Apprentices together; and now they would walk the tables and become Journeymen together. Afterwards, they would be sent to learn their specific magical evocations –which they would not do together.

The apprentice table was abuzz with excitement and curiosity. They wouldn't know where they'd be going until their name was announced and they walked the tables to the Journeymen.

First they would have a feast. Only for such an occasion would the Hall be full as many Masters and Journeymen from around Azerim. They have come to either walk the tables themselves or welcome new protégés to their ranks.

Once everyone's bellies were full, instead of getting loud with conversation, it was quiet with anticipation. Once all eyes stared expectantly at the head table, the Grandmaster of the Temple of Carlabor stood. "I'll not make you wait any longer. This old man has things to do too." He jested and received much anxious tittering in response. "I am honored to announce that we have new Masters walking the tables. The first has shown excellent ability in…"

As he droned on, Tuwana stopped listening. Of course Apprentices would be last. While she wasn't in a hurry for this ceremony to get to her, she was excited to see where her friends would end up. Baradun was as nonchalant as ever, confident of his fate. Terrance, however, was impatient and fidgeting in his seat.

One by one, the new Masters were escorted by the Master who'd walked the tables last. Then the Grandmaster carried on to the Junior Journeymen going on to Senior. While the Grandmaster didn't give a long speech for each, it felt like he was taking way too much time on the Journeymen, making Tuwana and her fellow senior Apprentices impatient.

When it was finally their turn, they all sat up straight, giving superior looks to the junior apprentices and waited for their names to be called.

Grandmaster Erasan'mirvik named them at random, with a short blurb of their achievements and a hint of where they'd be going while the most junior Journeymen escorted the apprentice to the Journeymen table.

Silently, Terrance, Tuwana, and Baradun waited for their names to be announced. One by one, their classmates were taken to the next table.

When they were the only ones left, the Grandmaster simply began calling on the junior Apprentices to graduate them to senior Apprentices. Afterwards, he dismissed the Hall, congratulating those who advanced and wished them well on their studies and Journeys. He and the Headmaster stayed at the head table while everyone else stood and started filing out of the Hall.

One of the teachers came up to the confused trio with a patient smile. "You three stay seated until the Grandmaster calls you up." She gave Tuwana a pat on the arm and left the Hall.

This was not what they expected; why had they been overlooked? Why weren't they walked to the Journeyman table like the others? Were they in trouble?

The moment the last person was out and the Hall doors were shut, Grandmaster Erasan' beckoned them over and studied each of them as they stood before him. "Never in years uncounted have we seen such raw talent come into the Temple of Carlabor. Indeed, it did not take any of you long to display powers not many your age could even survive," he took a breath, "It is by the decree of the Council of Masters that each of you are to be taken as Journeymen by members for the Highest of us." He finished formally, straightening as his gaze focused on Baradun. "The High Sorcerer of Azerim has agreed to train you as his heir. You are to travel to his Ivory Tower with only what he instructs you to bring; if you survive the journey, he must take you." A parchment appeared in his hand which he handed to Baradun.

When first being addressed, everyone could tell that it took Baradun every ounce of will to not let his excitement out in any form, nor to tell those present he'd told them so. Baradun took the parchment and scanned it eagerly before placing it in his pocket. His mind was already planning the journey and wondering what trails he would have to pass to get to his Master. Absently, he bowed and thanked the Grandmaster.

The Grandmaster turned to Terrance. "You have shown extraordinary skill and knowledge, Apprentice Terrance. Such skills must not be squandered. To that end, I will be taking you on as my Journeyman and next in line to Grandmaster."

"Thank you!" Terrance grinned widely; this was far more then he'd been hoping for. No longer would he be in Baraduns shadow!

"I am a hard taskmaster, gnome, but I believe we'll be a match for each other." Grandmaster Erasan'mirvik chuckled and finally turned to Tuwana. With a sad sigh, he sat down. The fate of this one was out of his hands. "Are you packed?"

Slowly, Tuwana nodded, getting a startled look from Baradun. She already knew where she was going. "The ship leaves at the first tide tomorrow. Master Corsair is portaling me to the ocean harbor."

Nodding, the Grandmaster smiled gently. "Tell the High Priestess that I faithfully return to her what was given to us. Though I am loath to do so. You will succeed to the rank of High Priestess of Azerim, and possibly outshine all your predecessors." He gave her a last smile before giving them all a dismissive wave. "Journeymen you all are now… go Journey."

Tuwana curtsied and hurried out of the Hall. Before she could make it two paces beyond the door, Baradun caught her arm and swung her around to face him. "That's it? You're crossing the entire ocean? Going far away?"

With her free hand, she covered his that gripped her arm. Tuwana tried to smile and shrugged. "Not till morning. We have time." She suddenly had the impression that he hadn't realized she would Journey so far from his home country to get her training.

Baradun shook his head, amber-green eyes flashing. "I leave tonight."

"Oh." Tuwana closed her eyes and willed herself to be okay.

"You never told me you had to go back to Westland to become High Priestess." Baradun insisted; though how he could have such a thing was beyond him.

Her eyes snapped open and she tugged her arm out of his grasp. "I did so! Not that you noticed cause you wouldn't listen to me," she snapped. Tuwana's fingers sparked, telling her to take a breath. She took three and took a step closer to Baradun. "This is our Destiny, Baradun. You will be High Sorcerer. While I must be High Priestess. These are our paths. I am sorry that they have to diverge so wide." She put a hand lightly on his slightly rough shaven cheek. "Our paths may twist together again one day." Tuwana gave him a beseeching look. "Can we please part as we begun? As friends?" she asked earnestly.

After a searching pause, Baradun took the hand on his cheek between his two hands. His gaze bore into her for a moment longer until he said, "We were never friends." Baradun let her hand fall and turned towards the Temple entrance; calling his minimal gear to him as he walked. He went around a corner and disappeared in a crackle of magic.

Leaving Tuwana at a loss for what to do, think, or feel. So she simply stood there as her heart and soul suddenly became unbearably heavy.

Until a gentle tap from Terrance jolted her out of her stupor. "Come on Tuwa. You still have plenty of friends that will want to say goodbye."

Numb, Tuwana followed the gnome to the barracks where the newly made Journeymen were gathering their things for the next stage of their lives. "But not the one that counts." She mumbled as she walked.