Hilde lay limply on the gurney, her eyes focused on the great emerald ring. The aching in her back seemed miles away, lost in the cool green depths. "Lord Fordring gave me this ring, the day I pledged myself to the Crusade. It was one of the happiest days of my life."

"You are all done, Lady Hilde," Phu'lou said, his breath puffing out through his whiskers in satisfaction. "Truly, it is the most magnificent work I have ever done."

Alessandra bent over the table, unfastening the straps and helping Hilde to her feet. She held the warlock's gaze, smiling gently as she nodded towards the mirror. "Look, my sister, and see how your trials have marked you."

Hilde glanced over her shoulder, focusing on the image. The tattoo of a great sword adorned her back. The intricate cross piece ran from shoulder to shoulder, and the hilt began just at the base of her neck. The blade ran smoothly down her spine, ending just above her buttocks.

It was the design that amazed her. Shining tendrils wove across the hilt, thorns appearing to glisten with dew. The blade itself seemed to glow. About halfway down the blade, a thick crust of red and black coated the blade. She stared intently, making out the runes seemingly etched into the image.

"What does it say?" she asked.

"Honor transcends all," Phu'lou answered.

"Lady Hilde du Holemhein, you have passed through the ritual of suffering. I have witnessed your memories, and found you strong, and pure of heart. Do you swear yourself to the Argent Crusade, to bend yourself and your powers to the defeat of the Scourge, in this life, and beyond?"

"I so swear," Hilde said firmly. Alessandra leaned forward, kissing the warlock on the forehead.

"Then you shall be, Lady Hilde, shield maiden of the Argent Crusade, now and forever."

It was a scant week later when the letter came. Summons from the front. Hilde strode confidently out onto Krasus' Landing, her faithful gryphon already waiting. The thought of action thrilled her to the bone. She waved to the flight master, mounting up and urging her mount down, down, and towards the distant front. Icecrown glacier lay ahead, and beyond it, the monster responsible for all her pain. And it would suffer, beyond anything that had ever been imagined, or she would die in the attempt.