"I'm home," Jaina called, closing the door behind her.
"Lab!" Kalec called through the apartment.
Curious, Jaina headed his way. "How's-" the question died on her lips as she beheld the ongoing project. Braziers were lit and a liquid that swirled golden and violet was being stirred in a glass beaker over heat. Her mortar and pestle were out again as well as an unrolled bolt of mooncloth and a box containing herbs she knew she didn't have in her collection of on-hand reagents. "Kalec?"
"One moment," the dragon said, eyes fixed on the careful runes he was inscribing with the gold-violet ink. He'd done most of the bordering and was nearly done with the main glyphs leaving a final border to contain the energy. Jaina could feel the power ebbing off the infused cloth like a cold mist. It was metaphysically heavy and Jaina frowned.
"A binding?" she asked, recognizing some of the components and sigils. "What happened?"
"Letter," he said, tilting his head to the unfolded parchments on the side table. "Wait to read."
She nodded and sat quietly while he finished his runework. He wasn't speaking in full sentences which said much about the amount of focus he needed for this working. Sighing as he finished, Kalec set his brush down and stretched with audible joint popping.
"The one on top is from Zaliya," Kalec said. "Read that one first and then I will explain the second."
She read the one on top first. It was from Zaliya as he'd said and, she supposed, Tarecgosa as well. Jaina was certain she'd not be able to share her head as the worgen Archmage was now doing, but the two seemed quite happy with the arrangement.
Jaina re-read one of the lines again. She looked up. "Help Wrathion?" Why? He was a menace!
"The second letter is from him. He's hunting Shadow Council warlocks. Got his claws on a grimoire."
"You're helping him?" He'd helped Garrosh escape! He'd hurt Anduin! "How can you help him after all he's done?!"
He held out his hands to her. She glanced at them then back to his face. Her chest was tight.
"He's in Taylor's garrison, Jaina," Kalec said.
"Kalec!" She wanted to lash out, strike something. The urge was so strong it was frightening. Jaina stopped.
He waited, hands open, waiting and watching for her to calm down. She winced and drew in a shuddering breath. Closing her eyes she put her hands in his. He ran his thumbs over her skin, a small, soothing gesture and Jaina hated he felt she needed to be calmed like a small child or a skittish horse. She hated he was right.
Jaina tried to observe her feelings from a more rational angle now that she recognized her defensive reaction. She was angry because Wrathion had helped Garrosh and had hurt Anduin. And he'd been part of the conspiracy to release Garrosh that had led to her own death, as brief as it had been. The eternal moment of ceasing to be still haunted her. Jaina shivered and tried to release the thought. It was terrifying and had been awful, but she was okay now. She was here in her lab, safe, and Anduin was in Stormwind.
Jaina rolled her shoulders, drew in a deep breath then let it ease out. She opened her eyes. Kalec smiled at her, kind and patient. "What happened?" she asked, nodding at the letters.
He kissed the back of one hand then kept them both as he explained. "He got over there somehow and has decided that he is going to hunt the Shadow Council. He killed one of their warlocks and stole a grimoire." Kalec jerked his chin at the pile of letters. "The drawing he included suggests a number of traps. I am making a binding for the book until the magic can be properly dispelled."
She released one of his hands to pick up and look at the drawings then back at Kalec. "It would serve him right for meddling," she grumped. Some of the traps looked like they could do a lot of damage if they weren't disabled properly.
"It would," Kalec agreed. "But it wouldn't be right for me to ignore this. He's... Anduin said he was doing it because of his Charge. Because of mine, because of the responsibility I have, I feel I must help him with a problem of magical containment. He's in Taylor's Garrison and I would not like to see what could happen if any of the traps on the book went off." He shook his head. "And he's a whelp. He is not of my flight and he's been a pest but he is a child. It's-" He looked away looking for words, pain on his face.
Jaina nodded and reached out to touch his arm, being the comforting one now. "He's a child and the dragonflights cannot have more." The anger and the panic had faded and she could see more clearly. Putting it that way, it did feel strange to wish actual harm on a child, even one as obnoxious and precocious as Wrathion.
"Read his letter," Kalec said. "I'm going to finish empowering this and send the binding back today if I can make the mail."
"If you miss it we could send it anyway," Jaina said, picking up the other letter. She sighed, "He's a twit but I would rather not see anyone else hurt because he doesn't have any sense. Or empathy."
Kalec returned to his work. "He's a whelp," the dragon repeated, "For all he makes himself look as old as Anduin, for all his advanced intelligence, he's four. He has the emotional maturity of a four year old and, well, I think the intellect plays a part too." He looked up from his working. "At least among dragons sometimes the very intelligent ones aren't always personable."
Jaina sighed. "That happens among humans, too. Some are just... too smart and find everyone else frustrating." She'd met many such mages who were like that. Karlain was one such mage, all blazing intellect and scant patience. Light knew she felt like that sometimes when others didn't immediately understand what she was saying. "I learned not to be so harsh because of my brother. He wasn't unintelligent but he didn't... he wasn't as fast as I was when it came to numbers and logic. He was better at people." She smiled a little. "Derek was possibly the one who first showed me how to navigate politics, though I didn't know what I was learning at the time." She'd figured that out eventually and had been the one to tutor her brother in cartography and charting.
"For me that was Kyri," Kalec said. "She taught me how to teach. How to phrase things and not come across as a total boorish ass."
Jaina laughed quietly.
"Read his letter. I'd be happy to hear your thoughts."
She did, gritting her teeth the whole time. His letter gave no indication as to which dragon had ultimately been the author of Garrosh's escape, but Jaina couldn't help but be suspicious of Wrathion. Even if he hadn't been the one to approach the rogue bronze with the idea, he'd been a willing conspirator. And he'd done it for his Charge. Or so he said.
People of all types could do awful things in the name of their beliefs. Malygos had nearly ripped magic away from anyone who wasn't in league with him because he was upholding his Charge. Lei-Shen had tried to conquer the world because he believed he'd claimed the power of a god. And Garrosh... Jaina mentally stepped away from the memory of Hellscream standing defiant and unrepentant. Countless lives had been lost in wars for gods and kings when people believed.
But then she'd believed in things and good had resulted. As heavy a task as it had been, she'd seen Arthas put to final rest, believing that the Scourge had to be stopped. Tyrande's faith in her goddess had helped her steer her people through troubled times. Anduin believed in the Light and in the goodness of people if they were given a chance. Jaina had once felt that way too and there had been rewards, and terrible prices paid, for that trust.
Jaina set the letter down and quietly watched Kalec finish his work. Anduin believed Wrathion about the Legion. It would be very easy to dismiss the warning because of the source, but for Modera's independent unease and the foreboding Jaina felt.
Fear could make people act rashly. The Grand Magus knew from personal experience. Had the escape at the trial been a rash act by a whelp all alone? A child who was afraid of what his visions showed him as well as the weight of upholding something that was apparently very deeply ingrained in all dragons no matter their flight? Jaina shifted uncomfortably. She didn't want to be sympathetic. Which probably meant she should try to think more logically.
Jaina watched over Kalec's shoulder to distract herself as he penned his own letter back to the whelp.
"DO NOT OPEN THE BOOK
Further assistance will be forthcoming. Wrap this cloth around the book as many times as you can and leave it alone until I can provide you with something better. If you have already opened the book, close it, wrap the book up, and leave it alone. I will be in contact again as soon as possible."
-Kalec
PS. You don't want to end up a fel-corrupted slave or possessed by a dreadlord. Trust me. Don't open the book."
"You've made the mail call," Jaina said, glancing at the clock. Kalec nodded and sent the letter off with a burst of magic to be collected and transferred with the rest. Reading over his words she realized that she'd forgotten he might have a more personal reason for not seeing another soul harmed by demons, even if it happened to be an obnoxious brat.
He double checked the fires were out and began to repack the equipment he'd used. "What are your thoughts on Wrathion's letter?"
"He's obsessed with this Charge and the last dragon I know of who was that obsessed was Malygos."
Kalec's eyes tightened in pain. "Wrathion appears unusual in that regard. I'm uncertain if it's actually a compulsion or if he's just obsessive."
"Meeting with him might tell you if he's mad like Malygos or not."
"Or if there is something else. Strange things happened to create his egg."
"I- Thank you for telling me," Jaina said.
Kalec growled pensively. "He hurt you indirectly. He did directly hurt Anduin. Even if you were not my consort, telling you would be proper. But you are my consort and keeping volatile things from your consort isn't proper behavior." He snorted, angry but not at her. "And he doesn't know that." He shook his head and changed the subject slightly. "Did you read what Tarecgosa asked?"
"I admit I wasn't really paying attention to her part of the letter," she said. "Something about her children?" She began to help him packing the equipment away. It fortunately wasn't much.
Kalec's gentle smile fell a little. "That too. She wanted to know impertinent details about us. I won't tell her anything intimate," he said. "Some dragons share details like that. I'd- no." He grimaced. "She's my little sister."
She prodded his shoulder. "I think she's familiar with the mechanics, Kalec. She does have children."
He scrunched his nose. "And with my brother, Azigos."
"You don't like him?"
"Oh, I liked him just fine, I introduced them, but he was my brother and with the little hatchling I'd help raise! I did not want details."
"Did she tell you details?"
"Unfortunately," Kalec said with another grimace. "I am changing the topic."
Jaina laughed quietly. "Fair enough. So. What are you going to do next?" She nodded at the letters, the only thing that remained on the now clear workbench.
Kalec latched the box of glassware closed and set his hands on the bench with a heavy sigh. Jaina slipped her hands over one of his.
"I think all I can really do is offer to be a line of communication," Kalec said. "I have responsibilities here on Azeroth and I don't think he'd respond well to living as a typical four year old does."
"Which is?"
"With parents or caretakers learning how to use their skills, refine how they hunt, learning at the feet of older dragons." Kalec shrugged. "He's been on his own for too long for any of that." He shook his head. "And Tarecgosa is right. It is shameful we let him be alone like that. None of the youngest in my flight are alone." He nodded in the vague direction beyond the city. "When we dispersed the dragons with hatchlings formed little enclaves. They're well cared for in quiet places."
Jaina ran a hand up his arm then down his back. She leaned in close. "I wouldn't mind if any of those dragons wanted to roost here." She kissed his shoulder. "I think it'd be an easier sell than the Horde. Those wounds are older. It was actually brought up as a counter-solution at the meeting."
Kalec made a thoughtful noise. "I will let them know when next I make my rounds checking in on the groups I know about." He looked at her. "Wrathion is stubborn and driven but he's also smart. And he's alone. If I encouraged him to contact me, would that bother you?"
Jaina thought that over, staring into the middle distance as she rested her cheek against his shoulder. "He hurt people I love and indirectly hurt me. We're in this mess on draenor partially because of his actions." Jaina frowned. "Archmage Zaliya is right. He's a kid with too much power and not enough sense. If you speak with him do you think you'd honestly be able to do anything productive? He's the most prideful dragon I've ever met."
"Mmm which is saying something," Kalec said.
"I think he's afraid."
Kalec nodded. "When I look at Wrathion, I see a whelp trying to be a much bigger dragon than he is. Not just in taking on adult tasks but also... trying to appear more confident so he looks less vulnerable." He paused, brows knit together as he thought. "Perhaps it's my own pride but maybe I can make him think. Maybe make him feel less like he needs to act as he has. Anduin had you to give him an example. Maybe I can try to be one for him. Wrathion hasn't been around many other dragons in his life."
"He killed most of the remaining blacks from what I heard," Jaina said. "Or at least had them killed."
"I have no doubt that has had an impact. But he hasn't had someone of his own kind to be a good role model. I think Anduin was a very good role model for him, but he's just one example and he's also human and I suspect that might have less weight for Wrathion."
Jaina sighed. "It would bother me if more people I loved were hurt because of him. Don't let him think you're another pawn."
"I have duties here, I'm not planning on going there and taking him under my wing literally," Kalec reassured. "Just... Maybe I can be a voice of reason."
She nodded. "Don't get hurt or I will turn him into a handbag."
He leaned over and kissed her head. "We can finish packing or we could find some dinner?"
"Dinner sounds better right now." She tugged on his hand and he followed her out of the lab and into the mostly empty apartment. "Oh and Modera said you had something to tell me about your class?" She asked over her shoulder.
"Ah," he frowned thoughtfully. "She said to quote her directly and tell you that my class was 'Hot for Teacher' and that you would explain."
Jaina burst into laughter. "What?"
"You don't understand?" He asked as they entered the kitchen and began to rummage through the fairly sparse options.
"Oh I know what the phrase means. What brought this up?"
"What does the phrase mean?" he asked.
"What brought it up?" she insisted, grinning back at him.
He glanced at her then frowned at the empty breadbox. "They banished my shirt. Again."
"What? And what do you mean again?" Jaina asked, closing the pantry door. "Your shirt?"
"Yes," he grumbled. "Apparently these apprentices are less like whelps and more like drakes than I had imagined."
"What's the difference?"
"Older drakes are interested in well-formed haunches, strong flight shoulders, how bright your scales are, and if you might be a good partner when spring came around. They're beginning to consider adult things."
"Ah. Yes. Teenagers and young adults rather than young children. Didn't Modera tell you they were teenagers, Kalec?" Jaina asked. She leaned a hip against the counter.
Kalec rolled his eyes. "Yes, but none of my fifteen and sixteen year old students have ever tried flirting with me before. The precocious ninety year olds certainly, but not whelps." He shook his head. "Are you going to tell me what the phrase means or am I to guess it based on the context clues?"
Jaina crossed her arms and smirked.
He leaned a hand against the counter and faced her, looming ever so slightly with matching amusement.
Jaina suddenly grinned and banished his shirt. Kalec yelped in surprise. Her grin grew sly as she openly eyed him and set one hand on his chest. She began to trace down the planes of his chest. "It means they have a schoolroom crush and you probably figure into hormonal fantasties."
Kalec snorted. "Maybe I should hold class down on the ground in my real form."
Jaina let her hand slide down further so she could hook her finger into a belt loop. She tugged him closer. "But they'd still see you look as you do in this shape in the city. They'd know that this was also you even if you were walking around in pretty blue scales."
Kalec snorted again, this time in surprise. "Pretty?"
Jaina grinned up at him. "I've always been rather fond of blue."
He arched an eyebrow. "But 'pretty'?"
"Mmhm." She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "And you're my consort right now."
He growled, pleased, and pulled her closer. "Damn right." He frowned. "Why do they always laugh when I say that? Or anything, really."
Jaina arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"If I say 'mate' they giggle. If I say 'consort' they snigger." He rolled his eyes. "And they're kids!"
Jaina laughed and draped her arms around his shoulders. "Blame it on the hormones. They're just discovering this stuff and can act juvenile about it."
"Modera said that I was a 'safe crush'."
"Mmmm. That makes sense." She leaned against his chest.
"How?" he asked, exasperated.
"Because these adult thoughts and feelings are new, scary and thrilling. Suddenly they have this exotic and attractive man in charge of their class. He's a teacher which puts him off limits, and he's far older in age which is also against another set of taboos. The difference in race will set him as untouchable for some, and he's in a committed relationship which also makes him unavailable. They know nothing would ever happen but they can fantasize. It's safe."
Kalec growled pensively. "It seems so wrong."
"Kalec, at the risk of having you walk out of here in disgust, I'm only twice their age, remember."
He tightened his grip. "Yes, but you're an adult human. They are not. I thought they were closer to whelps and that was a mistake on my part. I'll adjust. I hope I'm not botching Modera's class, but I get the sense if I was she'd have let me know."
"She absolutely would have," Jaina agreed. "Modera's itching to get into the field, so I think she appreciates having some backup." She let her fingers wander over his chest. It was a remarkably nice chest.
"She said as much," Kalec agreed. "I wonder how much time she'll spend there."
"Modera also still wants me to train with her," Jaina said. "I'm supposed to meet her tomorrow afternoon. If she wants to keep doing that she'll have to be back and forth. But if Spellsong takes point on settling things in Draenor that'd leave Modera free to move as needed. So no luck in skipping remedial battle mage training for me, I suppose."
"You're a quick study, and already quite capable," Kalec said. "She probably won't start you off with her beginners class."
"Oh? That's too bad," she said, pouting. "I've heard her student teacher is rather cute."
"Oh, really?"
"Mmhm. I'm told he has a very nice rear."
Kalec grinned, picked her up and set her on the counter. "Is that so?"
"That's what the gossip says."
"Does it? And what else does the gossip say?" He set a hand on either side and leaned in, parting her knees as he stepped closer.
"I've heard his aim is atrocious," she said.
Kalec rolled his eyes. "Well perhaps if you'd never practiced physically throwing fire, while shapeshifted I might add, your aim might be as bad. Theoretically." There was a tiny bit of hurt in his tone and perhaps being teased about this was beginning to sting.
Jaina reached up and ran her fingers through his hair, the amusement dropping a shade or two. "I've heard he's very talented at magic. Able to do impressive workings even if he's shapeshifted to work with humans." She slid her fingers down through his hair then cupped his cheek, rubbing his skin with her thumb. He leaned into the touch. "And that he is very responsible about magic."
"Sounds pretty boring."
"Not at all," she disagreed. "He sounds like an excellent example for hormonal teenagers full of themselves. Or wayward archmages. Or even petulant whelps. I have also heard that he is very kind and patient with even the most obstinate mages." Her smile grew once more. "He sounds quite exceptional to me. I wonder what else he might be talented in? Maybe I'll have to ask for private tutoring sessions."
Kalec's low chuckled ran down her spine. Jaina grinned as he leaned in and kissed her.
There was a startled yelp followed by a bang and a crash from the parlor. Jaina and Kalec broke apart, looking towards the other room.
Very faintly they heard, "Ow."
"Anduin?" Jaina called out. Kalec gave her a hand down from the counter and the two hurried to the parlor.
"Hi, auntie," Anduin said from a heap on the floor. He'd appeared amid the few stacks of lab equipment, books and other items Jaina had retrieved from her personal vaults or bought in the last year.
"Well, I guess we don't need to go to Stormwind for Anduin's hearthstone anymore," Kalec said as he offered Anduin a hand off the floor.
Anduin got to his feet and then dusted off his tunic and straightened his clothing. Kalec looked over at Jaina. She was holding a hand over her smile. If Anduin had arrived perhaps ten minutes later, well, things might have been a bit more... interesting in the kitchen. In hindsight it was an amusing oversight they'd have to handle... delicately. Kalec flashed her a grin and wagged his eyebrows at her.
"Sorry to drop in like this," Anduin apologized, drawing both Kalec and Jaina's attention from their silent conversation back to him. He appeared to be oblivious to their thoughts.
"It's perfectly fine," Jaina said, reaching out to give him a quick hug. "I built that so you could visit me. It didn't even occur to me to keep the space clear. There's just been so much going on." She held him at arm's length. "What is going on? Is everything okay?"
"Yes?"
"You don't sound so sure about that," Kalec observed as he exchanged a greeting handclaps with the young man.
Anduin glanced at her then focused on the floor before seeming to come to some set his jaw then spoke. "I got a letter today. From Wrathion."
"Ah," Jaina said, hating the way Anduin felt he needed to steel himself before speaking to her. "Turns out Kalec got one as well." She'd make it right for them again. She rubbed her nephew's shoulder. Wrathion's betrayal had hurt him.
"Oh?" Anduin looked relieved. "Did he mention hunting agents of the Legion and acquiring a wizard's grimoire?"
"He did. I sent back something to bind the book's power temporarily. I didn't want Admiral Taylor and his people to suffer because of his inexperience," Kalec explained.
"Admiral Taylor's garrison? That's where he is?" Anduin shook his head. "He said he was someplace in Draenor but not where." He set his jaw again. "And Taylor knows he's there?"
Jaina shrugged. "I imagine he would. Taylor's not exactly the type to miss someone as... grandiose as Wrathion usually is." And if Taylor knew, then it indicated the whelp was behaving. Jaina wondered if Varian had heard yet. Something else to ask when she visited the next day.
Anduin scowled into the middle distance then shook his head as he came to some thought or other. He took a breath then sighed it out. "I would appreciate it if you, either of you, were to prevent him from doing any more damage to anyone."
"I have an idea of where to find something to disable the magic on the book," Kalec said. "Among the artifacts in the Nexus are things we used in the past." He looked over at Jaina. "It is beginning to sound as if I need to make a brief trip to Draenor."
Jaina didn't want him to go but she clamped down on the reaction. If he went he might prevent further damage to Taylor's garrison and all the people there. Kalec was wary of the situation and capable. She blew out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "I agree. And it sounds like sooner rather than later."
He nodded then returned his attention to Anduin. "What else did his letter say?"
"Here, you can read it," Anduin said, fishing out the folded paper from his tunic's inner pocket and handing it over. Jaina went over to Kalec so they could both read it. Anduin flopped onto the couch.
"Anduin,
I imagine you're quite angry with me. I can understand why. I did not intend for anyone to be seriously harmed in that confrontation. I am pleased to hear the Celestials stepped in.
Everything I have done, I have done to uphold my charge and to protect Azeroth. I still believe that we will only be safe if we are united under a single, strong banner. There cannot be an question as to who leads - someone must conquer.
Agents of the Legion are active in Draenor. That is where I am as you shall soon be informed. In any case, I have made it my goal to undo their works and prevent them from taking the Iron Horde as was done in our timeline.
I have taken possession of the grimoire of one of the warlocks in league with the Legion. As I am certain you would not wish for innocents to be harmed, I would appreciate any assistance you might provide. Is there some priestly technique or blessing which might be done so that I can find out all the dirty secrets and not summon an infernal on anyone's head?
I look forward to your response.
Wrathion."
"It is consistent with the letter I got from him," Kalec said when he'd finished reading.
"Have you replied yet?" Jaina asked.
Anduin nodded. "Yes, after several drafts. I sort of... let him have it." He winced. "It was... not an elegant letter but I-" he trailed off and shook his head. "How have you been?" Anduin asked, clearly changing the subject. "You're moving?"
Jaina sat on the couch beside him. "Yes. A different place in the city. One that can be our space," she said smiling at Kalec. She looked back at Anduin. "I was planning on visiting your father tomorrow. I was also going to ask for your hearthstone back so I could re-tune it to the new location."
He fished it out of his pocket and handed the stone over to her. "Why'd you need to visit father?" Anduin asked, sitting up from his slouch.
Jaina folded her hands in her lap and considered. It was an internal Kirin Tor matter but it did have an impact on the Alliance. She was going to forewarn Varian anyway and the young prince had begun to be more involved in the greater politics of ruling his kingdom. Jaina had been prompted to act at all because of Anduin and his ambitious goals. What she did here in Dalaran would absolutely have an impact on his own plans.
"This is confidential information and I will have your word you will not speak of this to anyone else. I cannot stress that enough." She fixed him with a firm gaze.
Anduin blinked. "Maybe you shouldn't tell me then."
Jaina realized she was probably frightening him a little. She smiled to take some of the tension from the space between them. "The Council took a vote on reintegration."
Anduin leaned forward and Light there was such hope in his eyes. "You actually did? Really? Already? I mean- What happened?"
"We voted unanimously to pursue it," she told him then waved down his cheering before it started. "But pursuing it doesn't mean it will happen quickly. We are investigating if any of the Horde mages would even want to come back. We also want to have a plan in place in case they do, before we announce anything. The council agreed but we are only six people. The rest of the city will be a harder sell."
Anduin threw himself at her in a bearhug. Caught by surprise she needed a moment to return the hug.
"Thank you."
Jaina's heart caught in her throat. The naked emotion in his voice warred with the fear still in her soul. "It was the right thing to do," she said, her voice quiet. Any louder and she might lose composure. She squeezed her arms around his shoulders then sat back. "I am only telling you this because I intend to give Varian some forewarning tomorrow."
Anduin nodded rapidly, much cheered by her news. "Maybe I can soften him up a bit for you?" he offered.
Jaina considered then nodded. Anduin had somehow gotten through to his stubborn father before. And, she reflected, he'd helped her as well. "Can you speak without specifics or only when you're alone? We're trying to control the rumor mill as it is."
"Why? This is great news!"
She smiled gently. "Because I don't want anyone important to hear it second hand. Not my people here in Dalaran and certainly not the Horde."
Anduin's expression grew more serious as understanding dawned. "You need to control the message."
"Cynical if correct," she admitted. "Where did you learn that phrase?"
"Some of father's ministers go on about that. Usually when it comes to propaganda or recruiting or reports from battles. Morale related things."
Jaina nodded. "This is going to be hard enough. I don't want anyone taking offense or acting inadvisably."
He nodded and stood. "I'll be circumspect when I mention you'll be coming to see him." He took the letter back from Kalec and grinned at his aunt. "Well, I guess I'll be going now. I seem to have interrupted something. If you wouldn't mind making a portal back home for me, I'll let you get back to your... packing?"
Jaina blinked at him. Then it suddenly dawned on her that Kalec still didn't have a shirt on. She hoped her cheeks weren't as blazing red as she felt they might be. The mage swiftly made a portal and Anduin waved and ducked out of sight with a grin.
"We could be done and moved in tonight if we wanted," Kalec said, thoughtfully as he looked at the small stack of crates by the hearth.
He presented a very nice view of broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. He didn't have the exaggerated muscle definition of a warrior, but his powerful wings apparently translated into some rather nice lines. And he'd been shirtless the whole conversation. Anduin had been perfectly diplomatic until the teasing at the end, which was both a sudden source of pride and also abject horror. Kalec could forget to wear clothing, dragons seldom went in anything more than their scales, but she should have noticed.
"Jaina?"
Her eyes snapped to his. "Shirt."
He tilted his head in query then looked down. He looked back up and her and grinned. "And you were the one who banished it."
Jaina hid her face in her hands, cheeks absolutely on fire. "I know!" she complained. "That only makes it worse!"
Kalec laughed and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "I'd wondered what bit of human innuendo I'd missed. I'm sorry I forgot to put a shirt back on."
"No, don't be. We were both in a rush to make sure he was okay and then I should have remembered, too. Or noticed. Light above he is too young to be making comments like that!"
Kalec rumbled a gentle, thoughtful noise. "I've been thinking of my students as whelps, but they're not. It occurs to me that Anduin's not a whelp anymore, either."
"He really isn't, is he?" She sighed and wound her arms around his waist.
"Sad he's grown up?"
She nodded. "A little."
"Be glad he's grown up well. You had a fair hand in helping him, you know. That's always something to be proud of."
"I regret the time I lost. But that's done and there is no sense in dwelling on what's gone when I can look ahead." And if I keep telling myself that, I'll believe it.
"Absolutely." Kalec rubbed her back. "So. We could actually find something to eat in the kitchen this time and then move everything else over if you like. You've been rather diligently moving things to the new place piece by piece. There's just the boxes here, the larger things in the lab and the bedroom. A portal should make that easy enough."
"It was a nice distraction to have," she admitted. She drew in a breath then let it out. "Let's eat then clear out of here. I'll have all the new forwarding activated tomorrow." She looked up at him. "You won't need the lab immediately for whatever you need for the grimoire?"
He shook his head. "No, I'll make a quick trip to Coldarra then I think I'll cross over for the day and be home by dinner if I can."
They went back to the kitchen and actually ate this time before moving the last few items over. It wasn't all that much, Jaina thought as she focused on lifting the last laboratory item, the heavy chest of reagents, and sending it across the portal. Kalec's power brushed against hers as he took possession of it and neatly lifted it to the far wall. Most of the moving she'd done in the last week had been of new purchases they'd made - more distractions from the tension and feelings stirred by the Theramore memorial.
"That's the last of it," he said.
"I'll teleport over," Jaina said. "I want to do a final pass and lock up." She smiled as the portal closed.
Her footsteps echoed loudly in the now empty lab space. Nothing was left here. Walking through the dining room and the parlor she hardly needed to double check for personal items. She'd not had many. She was leaving almost all of the furniture. A few new items more to her liking were in her new residence. It wasn't fully furnished like this place had been when it had been gifted to her. She'd had little else but the clothing on her back.
Jaina stood in the center of the room as she had the day it had been given to her. She was thankful to the others in Dalaran who'd arranged for her to have someplace to live, but this hadn't really ever been her home. Now it would be someone else's, the remaining contents donated to another person who might need them and the apartment space made ready for another mage.
Jaina checked there wasn't anything left to rot and moulder in the kitchen then finally swept through her bedroom. The furniture in here had been more to her liking and had already been moved. Again her steps echoed in the empty room. Seeing nothing she'd intended to bring with her, she turned and left.
She felt a little guilty, so much had been gifted when she'd had nothing, but it was also a reminder of what she'd lost; not only the stinging loss of people but the loss of control in her own life as well. Even her furniture hadn't been her choice.
Jaina breathed in then out. Much had been taken and it still hurt to think about, but she'd be okay. She'd lived through it. Building a new life in a new place with someone she loved was something she was honestly looking forward to doing. Jaina recognized the old pain and then deliberately set it aside and turned her attention towards the new.
She closed and the locked the front door then teleported to the entryway of her new home. Jaina drew in another breath then let it out. Another step forward. Keep going. She looked around at the sparsely furnished parlor. It could be seen as empty and lacking in all the things now gone, or she could choose to see it as potential for building something new. Jaina had kept one of the small side tables and Kalec had found some comfy chairs they both liked. The parlor was quite spartan but it was a start.
The ink portrait of her and Anduin from last year was at the top of one of the cases. She found it and set the framed picture on the side table. She didn't look very happy and Anduin's grip was a bit strained around her shoulders. The artist had been very accurate. This year they'd have a happier picture.
"I'm here," she called, heading for the direction she suspected he was in.
"Lab!" he called back.
"So I see," she said, smiling as she found him.
He was using magic to unpack and set her equipment on what they'd agreed was her side of the room. She watched with a small smile as books, chests and glassware sailed through the air to carefully be placed in appropriate niches and on workbenches, all in half the time it took to pack it up. The new space was easily more than twice the size of her previous personal lab space with plenty of room for them to work side by side without tripping over one another.
"We'll need to get you more for your side," Jaina mused, coming to stand beside the dragon. He'd already set up his sparse space to his liking.
"I figure I can acquire as I need to. No rush."
"No rush," she agreed. "Speaking of research and discovery, Wrathion said he was to ask you about the Earthmother? What was that about? More comparative power systems?"
Her set of fine crystal flasks paused briefly in their aerial dance towards the rack he'd already set up.
"Kalec?"
"Let me finish this. Then we should go get comfy for that discussion."
"That sounds slightly ominous," Jaina remarked, crossing her arms.
Kalec set the glassware and other items down, letting the magic fade from around them. He smiled and held a hand out. "It's not anything bad," he said.
Jaina took his hand and let herself be pulled through their new home to the library. It was unsatisfyingly empty currently, but they'd found a decent couch. Kalec gestured and activated the enchanted crystals in the hearth. The illusion of fire appeared as the crystals began to heat the room, providing light and warmth and none of the danger of fire around flammable books.
Another gesture summoned a box of cookies he'd been hiding in a dimensional pocket someplace. He sat on one side of the couch and offered her a cookie. Jaina took it, eyeing him askance, and sat on the other side of the couch.
"What is this about?" The way he was acting, almost stalling, was both sending up warnings as well as stoking the fires of curiosity.
Kalec ate his cookie, gathering his thoughts."Put most simply, the Earthmother is real, her name is Azeroth and she is a Titan."
Jaina blinked. "Azeroth is a Titan." She processed that for a moment. "That... makes a strange amount of sense given all we've discovered the Pantheon left behind."
Kalec nodded. "The Aspects and the Keepers and all the machines were built to protect the world's soul while it forms."
"It's still forming? The world is a Titan egg?"
"Without the cracking as I understand it," Kalec said with a small smile. It faded as he spoke. "The Mantle came with a lot of information. Most of it is just... gone. Sometimes I get bits and pieces back- strange, random insights or information I just suddenly know." He shook his head as if to clear it. "But one thing that I knew, even before Alexstrasza pulled me aside to tell me, was the nature of our world. That Azeroth was a Titan was something I had begun to consider on my own, but I didn't have all the pieces of supporting evidence. The Mantle filled in the pieces I'd been missing."
"This is... Wow. I admit I wasn't expecting something like that. Maybe the Earthmother was a spirit or something. A Titan?"
"Well she is a spirit," Kalec smiled. "The greatest one. The tauren know the world has a spirit of it's own, but they don't know she is the same sort of being as the pantheon. Well, perhaps some might have come to the correct conclusion given some of the recent archeological discoveries," he allowed.
"I have so many questions," Jaina said, her distant eyes suddenly focusing on him intently. "So not even all dragons know?"
"It was set that way by the Keepers and kept by the Aspects. If you don't know the world has a soul, you aren't going to go looking for it."
"A fair point," Jaina mused. "But what could be done to a Titan?"
"The Old Gods," Kalec answered. "If they'd been left unchecked they'd have either killed or corrupted Azeroth. The Titans placed the Keepers here to help order Azeroth so she had a chance to grow and eventually join them."
"And the Aspects were charged with keeping specific areas or attributes of Azeroth safe," Jaina realized aloud. She looked up. "The Emerald Dream isn't just the collective dream of the world's people or an- an elemental plane of nature? Is it her dream?"
"That's... actually a lot more complicated," Kalec said, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. "It's a spiritual plane and it is connected to the world-soul, but it isn't Azeroth's actual dream as we would understand it. I don't think. I'm not certain if that is by design as another buffer between her and things which could harm her or if the dreams of Titans are entirely unlike those of anyone else. It is the closest you can get to a perfect, unspoiled Azeroth." The dragon's sad gaze turned back to his mate. "I think it's why Ysera is so intent on creating more World Trees. They sort of... balance everything. They also aid access to the dream."
"She's afraid there won't be effective guardians when her flight is gone."
Kalec nodded. "There is a cadre of greens that lives entirely in the dream still. They're essentially immortal but they don't have the power they once did. Ysera had..." Kalec trailed off, looking for the words. "She had incredible power and influence, but it was her duty to see Azeroth grew according to the plans the Pantheon laid down in the dream somehow." He turned a thoughtful frown to the fireplace. "In a lot of ways, she and Nozdormu had similar tasks. Observing and protecting but never changing, living in places unseen and hidden."
"You were all given a rather thankless task." Jaina reached out and touched his hand. "But I thank you. We'd not be here if it wasn't for all your people had done."
Kalec smiled a little. "And I'm certain none of us would be here now if you and your people hadn't helped us."
Jaina smiled, her look turning intent again. Then the torrent of questions tumbled forth. "Where do Titans come from? Why is Azeroth still an egg and the others weren't? Why is she younger? Did they find her? Was she made by them? But if a Titan is the soul of a world, the Pantheon visited Azeroth! Did the planets move? How? Dimensional displacement? Are the astrally projecting their being into space? Does Draenor have a world soul too? If Sargeras is the Mad Titan, is he also the soul of a world? If you destroy a world do you destroy the soul too then? That would make sense. Could you destroy Sargeras by somehow destroying his planet? Are Titans who are like the Pantheon still bound to their worlds or do their spirits just leave? Are you certain we're not all going to die when the planet hatches? That sounds so weird to say." She paused a moment to breathe.
Kalec laughed warmly as he took her hands and pulled her closer, leaning in to rest his forehead against hers.
"Sorry," she said, half laughing. "I have so many questions."
"So I heard," the dragon teased. He kissed her forehead. "But I will answer what I know, which isn't as much as I would like." Kalec picked up a cookie and held it out to her.
She took it and nibbled on it while he collected his thoughts then began to answer in much the same manner as she'd bombarded him.
"Titans manifest in the Great Dark Beyond, I don't think they even know where they come from or at least that wasn't included in the information I received as Aspect. Azeroth is apparently younger. I have the distinct impression they thought she was important because they did so much Ordering here to undo the damage of the Old Gods. The information likewise doesn't say how they moved but I suspect it's projected consciousness. Not all worlds have a soul. Draenor doesn't. Sargeras is the same sort of being as the other Titans but he... Turned. He was a lost brother. I can only speculate, but I think they are somehow still tied to their worlds after they-" he paused briefly, "hatch. That is odd to say out loud. The awakening wouldn't kill us. At least I don't think. We're... Part of her somehow. Honestly we're somewhat expendable, but we are part of her. My information about this subject is very incomplete. I didn't have much time to think of random questions about the nature of our world in the hope of getting flashes of knowledge from the Mantle." He blew out a breath. "Did I cover everything?"
Jaina laughed. "Yes. I still have more."
"So do I," he admitted. He set the cookies on the floor and turned so his head was in her lap, his legs casually draped over one arm of the couch. "Why haven't we seen the pantheon recently? Why didn't any of the Keepers intervene with Neltharion or Malygos? When will Azeroth grow up? When she does will we be able to speak with her? Will we get to travel the Great Dark Beyond with her or will she leave us here? If she can move herself around what happens to the moons? Do they come with her? Can she move the star she orbits? Would we even need to act like a normal world, like Draenor or Argus, and rely on the sun for light and warmth and the moons to change the tides?"
Jaina stroked her fingers through his hair as she listened to him speak. "Are Titans powerful enough to not need such things," she mused aloud.
"Their powers are incredibly vast and while it would be difficult, with sufficient magic many of these problems could be solved, so they remain valid queries in my mind." He closed his eyes under her touch.
"What do the others think of Azeroth and her potential power? Of her status as a Titan? Alexstrasza and Nozdormu and Ysera I mean."
He grimaced. "They weren't terribly concerned and at the time they were right. Deathwing was the more immediate issue. The world has been turning for twenty-five thousand years under their watch. Azeroth existed before they ascended. It wasn't a pressing issue and I get the sense it hasn't been one."
"Is it now?" Jaina asked because of his wording. She continued to run her fingers through his hair. It was a shame it wasn't longer.
Kalec considered the question at length, his breathing growing more even as he meditated on it. She hadn't been asked to stop, so Jaina continued to card her fingers through his hair. Their discussion had not changed her general sense of looming danger, but that did not mean there wasn't a connection someplace. Perhaps it was Modera's influence but his wording had caught her notice.
"Not pressing," he finally decided, opening his eyes to look up at her. "Not an issue but Azeroth is wrapped in our future. I can't see." He sounded sad and she smoothed the worry lines on his forehead with gentle fingers.
"Do you think it's why Tarecgosa told you to tell Wrathion that our world is a baby Titan?"
His brow furrowed as he thought but he did not fall into meditation again. "He's motivated by his charge but I don't think he knows exactly what he's protecting. If he did, he wouldn't have been confused why Tarecgosa told him to ask me about the Earthmother."
"Tarecgosa knows. Does that mean Zaliya does?"
The dragon's expression fell. "Tarecgosa sacrificed everything for me, Jaina. She took the blast meant for me. I still don't entirely know what possessed me to bind her spirit as I did. I continue to be grateful that Archmage Zaliya was willing to allow it."
"They seem to get along quite well, actually," Jaina offered.
Kalec sat up and faced her on the couch."A fact I am eternally grateful for. Please don't be offended I told them and didn't immediately tell you? I- Jaina I owed them both my life and my flight's future. I wanted them to know just what it was we were fighting for. The full scope." He'd taken her hands and squeezed them in emphasis.
"Kalec I understand. It is better that fewer people know. I'm not angry."
He relaxed and his smile grew. He squeezed her hands. "Thank you. And I'm glad you know now. It means I finally have someone I can talk about this with."
Jaina laughed quietly. She squeezed his hands back. "Guessing that the aftermath of the Cataclysm the other flight leaders didn't really want to talk about it."
"No." He rolled his eyes and flopped back down onto her lap with a sigh. "After the... incident with Tyr's artifact they started to treat me a bit more like a peer, but there's still an awful gap." He sighed. "But at least I got them to try to live again."
Jaina tilted the dragon's head up to look at her. "You did more than that, Kalec. You got Ysera to help rally whatever power you all have left and bless new world trees. Alexstrasza didn't look nearly as defeated when we saw her at the trial. You said she still searches for a cure?"
He nodded. "She does."
She lightly tapped his nose with a finger. "You did that."
"I had help." He grabbed her hand and held it to his heart.
Her first instinct was to dismiss her small role, to push the spotlight away again. "I was happy to help you," she said instead.
He sat up and kissed her. "Thank you."
"Always." She smiled and returned the kiss.
Kalec pulled her into his lap. "Have I sufficiently distracted you with moving and fascinating new information this evening?" He kissed her again. "You did mention earlier you'd want to be distracted this evening."
She laughed. "You have." She tapped his lips and he playfully bit her finger, wagging his eyebrows at her before releasing her when she laughed. Jaina sighed and looked around. "We're moved but not quite moved in yet."
"Hmm, well I can think of a few things to remedy that," he said matter of factly.
"Oh?" the mage looked up at him, arching a silvered eyebrow in query.
"Mmhm," he said, rising and easily picking her up in a bridal carry. He began to carry her through the apartment.
"Kalec!" she laughed and hastily wrapped her arms around his neck. "What?"
"Old dragon tradition," he said as they walked. "I hope you don't mind," he told her arily. "First you and your consort find a new roost. Which we have done."
"We have," she said through a grin.
"And then you both move all your stuff out of your old roosts in to the new one."
"Which we have also done," she said as he walked up the steps to the level with their bedroom. "This is so far sounding remarkably like human tradition."
He grinned and gently pushed the bedroom door open with a foot. "And then once everything is moved, it is customary to retreat to wherever you'll actually sleep."
"Still tracking with human custom," she replied with false gravity. She laughed when Kalec dumped her onto the bed. A portal between locations had made it easy to move. They hadn't even needed to unmake and disassemble it.
Her lover leaned over her, pressing his lips to hers in a searing kiss, wandering hands sliding up her side to rest against her ribs and under her bodice. He grinned down at her.
"And then you cast some privacy spells and screw like rabbits."
Jaina burst into giggle. "Draconic tradition, hmm?"
"A very serious and hallowed tradition," he replied, somehow managing to keep a straight face though his eyes glittered in mirth.
"Well, I wouldn't want to be the cause of you breaking tradition," she replied, winding her fingers into his shirt and pulling him down for another kiss. Jaina remained happily distracted for the rest of the evening.
The next morning Jaina had an appointment to keep with Varian in Stormwind, but first Kalec would leave for Draenor. He wore fine travel clothing but as he usually flew in his natural form, his clothes showed no wear. He conjured a dark blue hooded cloak and swung it around his shoulders. Jaina was suddenly struck with the memory of their first meeting in Theramore when he'd asked for help, bearing Rhonin's seal. She could smell the salt on the air mingling with the scent of brewing tea. The echo of premonition pricked her skin.
"Jaina?" A gentle hand touched her arm and she opened eyes she'd not realized she'd closed. "Beloved?"
She embraced him fiercely. The image was strong but it was a memory, not another premonition. The ache of loss had found purchase again, the surprising intensity almost as bad as the flash of memory. "You wore much the same thing when you arrived on my doorstep," she told him, voice muffled by pressing her face to his shoulder. "I'll be okay. It was just unexpected."
Kalec made a soft noise of understanding. A warm, heavy weight settled over her shoulders. She looked up as the dragon fastened his cloak for her. He held her close, forehead resting against hers.
"I'm sorry I reminded you of something painful."
"It hurts most when I don't expect to have it brought back." She rested her hands on his chest, surrounded by his warm arms and the soft scent of him. "I- Please be careful, Kalec," she asked, feeling alone.
"I will come home to you," he promised.
She leaned up on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him. The ache in her heart began to ease as the moment passed. "Still working on getting better," the mage murmured.
He tucked her hair behind an ear. "I know. It's happening."
"You should get going," she said, reaching up to unfasten his cloak. He stopped her.
"Keep it. I like seeing you in my colors," he admitted with an impish smile.
Jaina smiled back and was still smiling even after he'd opened the portal and had passed through into Shadowmoon Garrison. Jaina gathered a sealed copy of the files she'd sent to the rest of the Council, reminded the staff that she would be out until after lunch, and teleported to Stormwind.