NOTE: I do not own World of Warcraft or its characters. This is owned by Blizzard Entertainment. Mysti is my main character in the game. Mysti's family are characters created by me in the World of Warcraft.

CHAPTER 1

A lone figure took a deep breath as she prepared herself to face the beating rain from under the tunnel into Stormwind City's trade district. The normal hustle and bustle of the market was silent except for the thundering of the rain on the cobbled ground. She pulled her fur cloak further around herself and took a reluctant step forward. The rain instantly soaked into her cloak. With grace and speed, she made her way further into the district. The usually colourful area was grey from the stormy sky above, the only colour coming from a select few windows that glowed orange.

A flash of lightning startled the figure, followed by a low growl of thunder. The figure stopped near the fountain and scanned the signs swinging from chains in front of each building. Her white eyes fell upon a sign that swayed ferociously against the wind. An image of a single red rose was flaking away from the rotting wood. The Gilded Rose. The figure pulled a rolled up map from the satchel hanging at her side . The rain left large dark blobs against the parchment. This was an inn and she knew she would need to seek shelter for the night. Rolling the map back up and stuffing it back into her satchel, she continued forward until she came face to face with a large wooden door. An orange glow emanated from the small square window in the door. The scent of ale tickled her nostrils. Curling her fingers into a fist, she knocked gently three times. A red haired woman open the door and stared the figure up and down before her brown eyes looked up and stopped upon the entirely white eyes on the figure in front of her. She wore a white linen blouse with a long blue skirt and wore an apron tied into the small of her back.

"Do you have a room for the night? " asked the figure. The innkeeper glanced past the figure to the storm outside and ushered her inside before shutting the door.

"Have you travelled far, stranger? " asked the innkeeper. The figure pulled back her hood to reveal pointed ears protruding through bright pink hair. A crescent circlet glistened against her forehead. She felt the warmth of the roaring fire against her lilac skin. The innkeeper opened her mouth in awe.

"I have travelled for three days from business in Redridge. I am making my way home to Darnassus to visit my family. "

"You must be soaked to the skin. Please, let me take your cloak and hang it near the fire to dry it out. I have a room for you for tonight. Have you a name, Night Elf? " The figure smiled at the innkeeper as she unfastened her cloak which was clasped at her throat with a silver paw shaped brooch and handed it to her. Beneath her cloak she wore brown leather robes which were pinched into her waist with a tightly fastened corset. From her belt hung a few small pouches and a furry tail. A staff was lashed to her back with a leather strap that buckled across her chest and a leather satchel dangled from her shoulder, crossing her body and hanging at her side. A row of bear claws dangled from a cord around her neck. Metal bracers were strapped to her wrists with leather.

"Mysti. My name is Mysti. Thank you, friend. " The innkeeper took one final glance over the elf in front of her before hurrying over to the fire and hanging the cloak on a rusty iron hook. The innkeeper returned to Mysti, drying her hands on her apron.

"Let me show you to your room". The innkeeper turned and made her way to the wooden staircase just a few places ahead. Mysti nodded and followed after her, her partially covered feet barely creaking against the wooden floor as she gracefully strode towards the stairs. Mysti rested a hand on the wooden handrail to her left and took each step with the grace of a feline. After two flights of stairs, Mysti finally reach the landing where she was greeted by several dark wooden doors. The innkeeper guided her to the door last on the left and opened it. Mysti looked inside and smiled. A four poster bed was situated against the right hand walk in the centre of the room with blankets and furs tucked neatly over the mattress. Plump pillows nestled against the ornately decorated headboard. Pale blue drapes hung at each post. A blue and yellow rug was placed on the floor at the foot of the bed. A set of small wooden drawers rested against the left hand wall with a lit candle burning brightly on top and a small table stood near the bed. Mysti turned to the innkeeper.

"Thank you. This will be perfect." sighed Mysti.

"Would you like me to bring you some food and a drink to warm you up? We have homemade soup available. It is made with the finest vegetables grown in the farms of Goldshire. We also have some honeymint tea from Pandaria. "

"Yes, please". Mysti's stomach have a desperate growl. She pressed a hand against her stomach and smiled lopsidedly at the innkeeper. She has forgotten how long it had been since she had last eaten. Mysti reached into one of the small pouches on her belt and produced some gold coins which she placed delicately into the hand of the innkeeper. The innkeeper smiled in return, placing the coins into the pocket on her apron and turned towards the door.

"I will bring it up shortly" she said, gently pulling the door closed behind her. Mysti looked around her room once more before unbuckling her staff and resting it behind the door, then dropping her satchel at the foot of the bed. She stretched her entire body and discovered how much her back ached from carrying her staff.

Mysti wandered over to the window and slipped off her leather sandals. She gazed out to the district below, the lights from the windows glistening against the puddles on the cobbles. She hoped the rain would clear in time for her to take the boat from the harbour to Darnassus. It would be unsafe to sail in such a storm. Another flash of lightening appeared, lighting up the room and Mysti's shadow stretched across the wall behind her. This was followed very quickly by a rumble of thunder. Mysti sighed and folded her arms over her chest. She missed her family a great deal. She thought longingly of her brother Raegorn, his long pink hair hanging over his shoulders, a leather apron hanging from his neck and tied around his muscled waist as he swung his hammer against the anvil in front of him. Mysti's fingers brushed the crescent shaped tattoos on her arms. She had been away for some time, assisting groups of druids scattered throughout the Eastern Kingdoms but always longed to return to her homeland of Kalimdor. Her thoughts turned to her mother, Thyssea, a former priestess in Darnassus who lived above the blacksmith shop in which her son worked. Mysti smiled at the thought of her mother's ageing features, the years of wisdom written into the lines around her eyes and her love in the smile lines around her mouth. Snow white hair held back from her face with a pearl wooden headband. Her father had passed away many years before when Mysti and her brother were young children, assisting the Alliance in battle against the Horde when they came through the dark portal under the guidance of Gul'dan. The Darnassian army had to travel to Stormwind to join their soldiers in the fight. He was killed by a single puncture of a polearm piercing through his armour and lodging in his heart.

Mysti sighed sadly as a knock on the door redirected her attention. She strode over to the door and opened it. The innkeeper was stood at the door with a tray in her hands. On a pewter plate rested a bowl of steaming soup and two bread rolls nestled against the bowl. Mysti opened the door further to allow the innkeeper inside. The innkeeper placed the plate down on the table before removing a mug of steaming tea from the tray and placing it on the table.

"Thank you" said Mysti as her eyes passed from the bowl to the mug, "this looks delicious". The innkeeper smiled in return and left the room with the tray in her hand. Mysti sat down on the side of her bed and picked up the spoon. She scooped up a spoonful of the soul and brought it to her lips. She blew on the soup gently before putting the spoon in her mouth. The flavours of carrot, Swede and potato with herbs and spices instantly hit her tongue and made her whole body feel warm. Her stomach growled again in appreciation for the food.

With her stomach satisfied and warmth spreading through her body, Mysti made her way back to the window where she drew the curtains closed, plunging the room into darkness save for the gentle glow from the candle. She unbuckled her belt and cast it onto the floor, closely followed by her corset. She reached back and untied the cords fastening her robes, allowing them to drop to her feet. She stepped out of her robes and made her way to the bed in her underwear. Mysti pulled back the furs and covers and climbed into the bed, resting her head back against the pillows and pulling the covers up to her chest. With a swift flick of her wrist, the candle went out, casting the room into pitch black. She closed her eyes and quickly fell into slumber.

Mysti pried her eyes open to sunlight blaring through the curtains. She blinked a few times while her eyes adjusted to her surroundings. Her blankets were now at her waist and her left arm was bent at a ninety degree angle with her hand resting on her pillow. With a sigh, Mysti pushed her hair back out of her face and sat herself up. Her back felt stiff from the way she had been lying. With her right hand, she massaged her shoulder before twirling her hand, a green energy emanating from her fingers. The pain and stiffness instantaneously vanished. She shook her head at herself for using her magic. She was trying to avoid drawing too much attention to herself. Mysti threw back her covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. The dishes had been removed from the table and were replaced with a new mug of tea. Mysti frowned at the thought of someone entering her room while she was asleep but then shrugged it off as she picked up the mug and started to drink.

Once she had finished her tea, Mysti began to redress. She slipped on her robes and fastened them at the back with the cords, then she buckled up her corset around her waist. She picked up her belt and fastened it around her hips. She slipped on her sandals and ran a hand through her hair to remove any tangles. Mysti opened the curtains then moved over to the bed and pulled the covers up, tucking them in under the mattress and straightened out the pillows. She picked up her staff from behind the door and strapped it across her chest, then took her satchel and hooked it over her shoulder and across her body so that it hung at her side. Finally, she picked up the empty mug and exited the room, gently closing the door behind her.

The innkeeper greeted Mysti warmly from behind the bar. Mysti returned the smile as she moved over to the bar and set the mug down.

"I trust you slept well" said the innkeeper as she took the mug and placed it into a basket of dirty crockery.

"I did, thank you. The food was exquisite. Compliments to the chef."

"He will be pleased to hear it. Are you travelling to Darnassus today? The weather is perfect for a smooth voyage". Mysti turned and looked out of the window. Market stalls were beginning to set up and chatter could be heard from outside.

"I will be".

"Your cloak is dry now". Mysti smiled again at the innkeeper, then turned and made her way over to the now empty fireplace. She unhooked her cloak and draped it around her shoulders, fastening it at her throat with the brooch. As she made her way to the door, the innkeeper's voice stopped her. "Safe travels".

"Thank you". With a final smile, Mysti pulled her hood up over her hair, casting a shadow across her face. She reached out to open the door, then stepped out into the blazing sunshine that had replaced the storm from the day before. Puddles remained on the cobbles which glistened in the sunlight. Avoiding the bustle of people gathering in the district, Mysti used the side streets to make her way past Cathedral district and onwards to the harbour. She noticed that people appeared anxious and more soldiers were present in the streets. Her keen hearing picked up whispers from a nearby group of women who were huddled together in a corner.

"The Dark Lady is planning an attack. We don't know where she will go". Mysti's breath baited in her throat. Her thoughts flittedback to those of her father.

Mysti, aged 8, grasped for her father with small lilac hands whilst her mother held her around the waist to pry her desperately sobbing daughter away "No! Papa! "

Mysti shook tears away from her eyes and pulled her cloak further around her. She had to get home.