Disclaimer: All non-original characters and places belong to Blizzard Entertainment. Original characters will be listed at the end of the chapter and are owned by me, the author : )

Fate II: Tyzaru and Stasya

The next thing Karoru did was walk straight through the city gates into the coolness of Elwynn Forest without. She strode off the main path, which was busy as ever with travelers, traders, and the like, and made her way through the refreshing trees. She located a patch of multi-colored wildflowers, gingerly cut a few by the stems, and took them back with her into the city.

Different, now, was her walk as she made her way down the busy streets. Her stride was purposeful and confident, much more like the young Rogue's stride before the tragedy of her cousin. Karoru continued to walk until her feet took her to the cheerful green grass of the Park. The day before, a much more sympathetic member of SI:7 had given her the located of Tailia's grave. Coincidentally, it rested not far from her own house, for she preferred lodgings in the open air and cheerful scenery of the Park than the dark barracks of Stormwind Intelligence, which was another act of rebellion according to Sloan McCoy.

Yesterday, Karoru had stood before the simple headstone with a heavy heart and eyes full of tears. Now, however, as she added the new flowers she had picked to the ones she placed the day before, her heart was burning with her old fiery spirit and her eyes were full of determination. She stood gazing down at Tailia's grave, her quick mind already racing to form the perfect plan. The headstone was a plain, dull gray, unadorned but for a few words:

TAILIA

HONORED ROGUE OF SI:7

It was a pitiful expression of Tailia's character, probably issued by Sloan McCoy since she was the thumb of her and Karoru's finger. The "honored part would have been added at Garth's and the other remaining party members' insistence. But Karoru was determined to right it all. Once she began this undertaking she would not stop until she was successful.

Abruptly, she turned on her heel and started making her way across the Park. At the southernmost end of the circular district, she proceeded into a neat violet-roofed building. Inside, it was as orderly and pleasant as she had left it that morning, with multiple vases of flowers sitting brightly around the front room and the numerous blades hanging upon the walls leaving glittering flashes every time they were caught by the sun's light. She had not even bothered to lock the door and left the windows wide open to let in the fresh breeze. The reason for this lack of caution came padding in from the back parts of the house as soon as she entered.

It was a massive mistsaber, reaching her elbows when simply standing on his four paws and as long as she was tall. She ran her fingers adoringly through his blue-gray fur when he reached her, admiring his lean, powerful grace as she always did. No one would ever think of trespassing while he was around.

"Ready for a little trip, Stormfyre?" she said with a smile.

The enormous saber cat gave a low purr and rubbed his furry head against her belly, sensing an obvious change in her manner.

Karoru chuckled and began strapping a large armored saddle to his sinewy back. In no time at all, the two of them were making their way swiftly back down the streets of the city. The crowds, accustomed to the many mounts that wove in between them, automatically moved to make room as Karoru rode past. It was so that she made it to the Old Town district quickly without difficulty. However, instead of riding straight into SI:7, she changed direction and headed into the adjacent Champion's Hall.

Although she usually did not associate herself with the military, Karoru had been inside this building often enough to familiarize herself with the regular officers within. She dismounted Stormfyre, patted his silky neck, and entered. She was greeted almost immediately by a young man polishing his sword by the door. Before she could find the officer she usually spoke to, her silver eyes met a surprise. Standing with a group of lesser officers around a table at the back o the room was Thelman Slatefist. A native of the grand Dwarven fortress of Ironforge, broad-chested, and strong-armed with curly red hair peeking from beneath his silver helm. He was the renowned battlemaster of the on-going war in Alterac Valley. He was usually with the heads of other various battles in the War Room of Stormwind Keep, so it was an unexpected occasion to see him there.

"Mast Slatefist," she greeted, curling her hand over her heart in salute as she strode up to him.

The Dwarven Warrior turned at the sound of his name and raised his bushy red eyebrows in surprise. "Karo, lass! What a pleasure ter see such a pretty little summer blossom here! It's been a while!"

Karoru smiled amiably. Slatefist was the only one to even think of her as a "pretty little summer blossom," which she greatly preferred over the usual "Rogue" over at SI:7. "It definitely has. I hear the Alliance has taken much of the land and resources in Alterac Valley."

"Indeed," the battlemaster nodded knowingly. "We're working our boots off ter drive back those bloody Trolls and the Horde. By my hammer we won't stop until that valley is safe!"

The young Night Elf chuckled at his fervor. "I'm sure you won't, sir."

"Bah, enough o' this talk o' war. What brings ye ter the Champion's Hall, lass?"

"Well, I know that your latest contingent returned from the field yesterday. I was wondering if you knew where Tyzaru is at the moment."

Slatefist let out a hearty laugh. "Oh but o' course! I should'a known! Always lookin' fer that mangy dog, ye are!" He scratched his beard thoughtfully. "He was here only this morn! Said he was takin' his darlin' lady out today, so I expect he's at home gettin' ready!"

Karoru smiled again and nodded. "Thank you for your time. Take care, then, Master Slatefist. I wish you luck in your endeavors."

The great Dwarf laughed good-naturedly. "Same ter you, lass! Magni's hammer guide you!" he said, referring to the venerable Dwarf king of Ironforge.

Karoru pressed her fist to her heart again in respect and started back out, waving farewell to the other officers on her way as they called out to her. Outside, she remounted Stormfyre with a pat to his neck and hurried off down the road.

Tyzaru was the reason she was so well known in the Hall. As she considered him her best and closest friend, she frequently sought him out. He was a renowned Warrior of the battleground, skilled with large swords, and a steadfast soldier and companion. The stories from the field she had heard said he never left a man from his troop behind. But Karoru did not need war tales to know what he was like. The two grew up together in the ancient forests of Ashenvale. Although he was Human, they got along almost immediately and had remained close friends even after he moved away to Stormwind to join the Alliance forces in various battles. She had not been surprised to hear how quickly he had climbed the ranks. Before he had been sent off to Alterac Valley, he was a Knight-Captain, only six levels lower than General Marcus Jonathan himself.

Fortunately, Karoru had not far to ride, for Tyzaru had bought a house right in the Old Town district so that he was close to the Champion's Hall. It was not long before she reached the humble little dwelling. Like her own, the windows had been thrown open, as well as the door. As she strode up to knock on its side, she spotted a young Human woman sitting contentedly at the table in his front room. From all that Tyzaru had told her, this was Stasya, a Paladin who had left the Order of Light to join and help the Healers of the military. She was tall, and both her hair and complexion were dark. She had forgone the usual shiny silver armor of the Paladins for a long blue dress, her black locks done up on her head in curls. She looked quite pretty.

Karoru knocked on the side of the door, making Stasya turn in her seat. Her face broke into a cheerful, winning smile and she got up to stand in the doorway.

"Karoru! Hey, how are you!"

The young Rogue smiled in return. "Not bad, I guess. Is Ty home?"

Stasya nodded and glanced behind her at the staircase. "Yeah, he's upstairs. He'll be down soon. He's taking me out today. Do you need him for something?"

"I just have to ask him about something," she responded.

"Okay, well, come on in, and we can wait for him together!"

And so for the next few minutes Karoru joined her at the table and listened politely to the plans she and Tyzaru had for the afternoon. She did not have to wait for long. In no time, a tall young man strode down the stairs clad in light, handsome clothes with a large sword strapped jauntily to his waist by a belt. He was naturally tan, his short buzz of hair black, and his eyes dark and slightly slanted. They widened with pleasant surprise as they spotted the familiar Rogue, and he grinned cheerfully in response to her wide smile.

"Karo! What are you doing here?" He faltered slightly as he started towards her. "Did something else happen?"

Karoru shook her head. "Nothing life-threatening, I guess." She recalled his concern the day before. Upon hearing of his return home, she had gone straight to him and told him what had happened. His comforting words had calmed her down when nothing else had. "But I do have a favor to ask from you."

"Go on," he said. "I'll do all I can to help."

She nodded and recounted the conversation she had had with Garth, stating bitterly that she had been purposely lied to, and explaining her endeavor to get revenge.

Tyzaru's eyes had hardened almost at once. "That's a dirty thing to lie about! I'd give that Sloan a good stab with your dagger one of these days! Of course I'll help!"

Karoru suppressed a chuckle at the thought of deliberately injuring her own leader. "Thanks, man. It means a lot to me."

"It's nothing," he replied with a quick shake of his head. "You didn't deserve something like that to happen. So even if we can't do anything about Sloan McCoy, we can at least take down Onyxia and show her you can't be pushed around by lies and threats!"

She smiled gratefully at him in response, feeling the familiar wave of overwhelming gratitude for her best friend wash over her. "I knew I could count on you, Ty."

"Well of course you can! I'm Knight-Captain Tyzaru!"

Karoru laughed. "We know, we know. I'm going around to a bunch of my other friends to see if they can help. Can you meet me in Theramore Isle the day before the new moon?"

Tyzaru nodded at once. "I'll be there."

She turned, then, to Stasya, who had been listening in polite silence. "May I ask you to come too? I know you don't know me very well, but since Ty's--"

"Are you kidding me? If I'm not there, who's gonna keep his ass healed?" the Paladin said with an almost lazy wave of her hand. "It's been beaten enough already!"

"Oh, yeah thanks," Tyzaru responded sarcastically. "It's nice to know it's not my sword and awesome good looks that have been keeping me alive through all these battles!"

Karoru laughed again and allowed herself a small good-natured grin. "Thank you so much, both of you. You have no idea how grateful I am." She glanced behind her through the open door at the sky. "But I won't keep you any longer from your date. Take care." She turned and started back outside.

Tyzaru quickly stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.

She paused and looked questioningly back at him.

"It'll be alright," he said.

Karoru smiled softly in response. "I know it will."

List of original characters:

Karoru -- Night Elf Rogue
Tyzaru -- Human Warrior
Stasya -- Human Paladin
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Tailia -- Night Elf Rogue
Garth -- Night Elf Druid
Harley
Saruki