The tree still made her gasp in awe; even as child she wondered how it could have grown to be so massive. Its grand trunk surrounded the city of Darnassus and a small forest as well. Inside the city, in the main square, the bear tree that held the counting house was that of a grand design. The lanterns that hung from its branches swayed in the breeze, the light emanating from them was that of blue wisps. She took a breath, reveling in the scents of the forest around her. She missed this place more than she had realized. The wilderness had been calling to her with each moment she spent in the sunlight under the green leaves of the forest in Elwynn, but she had yet to even acknowledge this plea until now.
She rode through Dranassus into the Craftmen's Terrace; she arrived at a building that had two signs, leatherworking and tailoring. A smile spread over her lips as she took in the sights of the place she often called home. Her feet were quick as she dismounted and walked up the ivy covered ramp to greet those who may have forgotten her. The sounds of an approaching visitor caught the attention of the long eared natives.
"Good afternoon," Zydien bowed,"Where is it that I may fin-"
"ZYDIEN!" cried a nightelf,"It's been so long, my child!"
"Trianna? You have changed so much my wondrous aunt!" the human laughed, bringing the dark haired nightelf into an embrace.
Although Trianna was ancient, her spirits were always that of a young girl, even when the priestess was a small child. Zydien had learned her skilled tailoring from this woman, and she held her in such high regard.
"How I missed you, young one," Trianna sighed, holding a hand to cusp Zydien's cheek fondly, "Your uncle would have been happy to see you."
"..Would have been?" Zydien asked, alarmed.
"Oh, yes, he has gallivanted across the wastes to discover the secrets of Grizzly Hills, of course he's on some adventure," she laughed, "He caught wind of a new species of wolvar in the area. Ever eager to find a new challenge, he is."
"True, yes," Zydien agreed, the smile returning to her lips.
"Will you be staying long?" The forest dweller asked, hope was evident in her voice.
"I had decided to spend a while here," She sighed happily, "I have begun to miss the forest and my friends here. Stormwind is my home, however, I have found it ...suffocating as of late."
"Wonderful!" Trianna gasped, nearly oblivious to Zydien's troubles at the moment,"Oh, run up to greet Telonis, he may know of when your uncle will be arriving. It seems that he keeps a better eye on him than I am able to."
Zydien nodded with a grin and waved goodbye to her fond relative. She walked up the ramp to her left, taking in her surroundings, their buildings seemed to touch the sky, and everything was covered in so many shades of green. The violet leaves of the massive trees rustled in the wind, they shed a few leaves that billowed to the ground. The sounds of many birds could be heard far off in the forest. Panthers and bears made themselves known by roars and growls menacingly echoing through the trees.
As she turned and entered the balcony area, she hid her smile. The few night elves on the terrace did flash a grin at her but continued their work, wary of their trainer.
"Telonis, may I ask when Saenorion will be arriving home?" Zydien asked in a serious tone, remembering well of the night elf's demeanor.
"I take it his niece has decided to visit him after seven years?" He asked in a monotone, uninterested.
"Yes, I have decided to stay in Darnassus," She answered, "I had hopes that he would still be in residence here."
"Faldron, take her to Saenorion's dwelling," He said offhandedly at the man beside him,"Your uncle should arrive late in the eve in a fortnight, girl. Now, be gone, I have work to tend to."
Zydien nodded, following the apprentice leatherworker to the building adjacent to the shop. The small one roomed place was open to the air, only two walls held up the second story of the building. Zydien noticed the guild headquarters was across the street, on the second story, with a bridge connecting it to the home above her uncle's. Faldron helped her remove her satchel and placed it upon the small wooden table.
"Many may cross onto this terrace to venture to the guild master across the bridge," He said dully, obviously not thrilled with his duties, "But they should not be a bother."
"Yes, I thank you for your kindness," Zydien bowed before the elf, he turned to her with a surprised look upon his countenance,"..What troubles you?"
"Unusual to see a human with manners," he stated, taking his leave.
"Well then..." Zydien said promptly, slightly annoyed by the elf.
She began to unpack the few things she had taken with her, being as her trip was unplanned, her wardrobe was limited to what she had worn and carried in her satchel. However, there was little of importance in her old home in Stormwind. She glanced up at the artwork gracing her uncle's home; flora and birds depicted in vibrant paints upon leather canvas. The wooden bed was covered in a cloth dyed a rare violet, gold trimmed its border. Her fingers danced over its surface, soft to the touch, obviously made from fine quality spider silk from the beasts beyond the guard tower to the east. Zydien strode over to one of the two dressers, determining which was empty, and stored her few things inside.
Standing at the foot of the bed, Zydien jumped back, landing on it a bit harder than she had intended, her laughter muffled the thud. Her sighs were content as she closed her eyes, dwelling on the sounds of the forest and its inhabitants. The scent of berries assaulted her senses, making her mouth water. Her body rolled off of the bed and she danced to the makeshift balcony. The Darnassian River could be seen right off the balcony, the small wooden boats parted the waters effortlessly. Her object of desire swayed softly, a berry bush was just inside her reach, and succulent treasures were ready to be picked from its thin branches. Each bite was glorious, tasting of the fresh rain water that poured over Darnassus so often. She licked her fingers clean as she ate the last one she could grab, smiling to herself. Footsteps caused her to turn, facing her old friend.
"Those were always your favorite," Trianna's laugh was whimsical as she took Zydien's hand, but her nose crinkled into a look of distaste, "Come now, you look disheveled, and I'm sure you left without any robes to speak of."
Zydien grinned sheepishly, "You still know me well, Trianna."
"Hah!" She smiled, "I would believe it be true, never a plan you could follow, dear child, always too quick to action without much thought."
"Escape was on my mind," Zydien sighed.
"Escape?" Her face darkened, pulling Zydien to her, "You must tell me of your troubles, but first, come with me and I shall find you a few garments to wear."
Zydien followed Trianna to the path outside; she was curious what exactly the elf had in mind. She began to wonder how she looked to have such a disgusted reaction from her friend. Trianna mounted her Storm Sabre and pulled a very surprised Zydien up onto her mount. The night elf rode the cat with grace, however the priestess had much more difficulty remaining seated on the beast. They rode off toward the Tradesmen's Terrace, crossing under the grand archways of the stone courtyard.
Trianna yelled to duck as she bowed low against the cat's body, pulling Zydien with her. Swiftly they rode between the tall legs of the Ancient of War, a huge treant spirit that protected the city. Trianna's frame vibrated with laughter as the old spirit groaned with annoyance and attempted to stomp the childish duo. Its large root-covered foot reared up, casting a shadow over them, threatening to strike. Zydien looked up in horror; her nails dug into Trianna's sides. The night elf's Storm Sabre shifted quickly out of the way as the massive foot thundered to the ground, causing Zydien to yelp in fear. The sound echoed through Darnassus, the gleeful chortles of her elf friend followed. The wind brushed painfully against Zydien's cheeks as the cat sped its movements, her heart thumping in excitement. A smile spread over Zydien's once panicked face, giggling in tune with her friend.
Suddenly its paws halted by the command of his master. Trianna jumped from her mount, and Zydien followed. The human saw the sign before the shop, "Robe" it read.
"Simple enough, yes?" the playful elf asked, walking toward the trader,"Anadyia, how are you this day?"
"Trianna," the elf behind the counter spoke tenderly, "What has brought you out this far into the tradesmen's terrace?"
"My old friend has left herself with no vestments to speak of," was her answer, "May I buy from you a plain robe and one of your finer gowns?"
"Yes, of course," Anadyia turned and gracefully strode to the back of her shop, bringing back two folded garments, "Here you are young one."
"You have my thanks," Zydien bowed low before her, but was quickly interrupted by her giddy friend.
"Zydien and I are to bathe at the pond to the north, would you like to join us, sister?"
"It seems many do not wish to buy or trade today," the shop keeper smiled, "So I'll gladly join in the spirits."
"Wonderful, Zydien come, let us see if Silvaria may join us!"
The water was icy to Zydien's toes, making ripples on its surface. Her face turned grim, the thought of it engulfing her body sent chills down her spine. She clamped her robe to her body, unwilling to release the only thin piece of linen covering her frame. The elves had already undressed and begun to swim in the small pond. A white wolf sat with crossed paws beside the pond, waiting for his master Silvaria to call him if needed. The hunter and Trianna were splashing one another, the water like diamonds shining in the sun. Anadyia's dark form was beneath the water's surface, jumping up for air in between the two other elves, causing a huge splash. Zydien shrieked and stepped away from the water's edge, the trio laughed wildly.
"Come in, child," Trianna snickered, smacking her hand against the water, dampening Zydien's robe.
"How do you elves stand such cold, the Lich King's lair could not hold such a frosty prescience as this pond." Zydien cried in rebuttal.
The elves burst into giddy laughter once again, continuing their horseplay. The log beneath her feat was rough; patches of moss speckled the wood, creating an odd design. Zydien's eyes met her reflection in the water; it shifted and waved violently with the currents the natives created. It moved in a similar fashion to that of the day she discovered the brazen draenei's intentions. However, her mind wandered, where was she now? Surely she will never again meet the burning soul that inhabited that blue haired deathknight.
Her robes were swiftly torn from her body, a gasp escaped her lips. A quick hand was on the bare flesh of her back and thrust her forward, into the water. Quickly Zydien swam to the surface, coughing up the water that had invaded her body. Silvaria's lips were parted in a wholehearted smile, hands on her curvy hips, as she tossed Zydien's robe aside. The priestess glared viciously, shivering in the water, her hair was matted to her head. She wrapped her arms around her breasts, hoping for warmth to return to her body.
"How else was I to get your filthy body in?" She asked, holding her nose dramaticly,"you stink of Dwarf!"
"I shall freeze," the human snapped, slapping at the water in frustration, "but at least I shall not smell!"
"Tis true!" she replied with laughter, her breasts bounced with her chuckles, the water on her bare body shined in the sunlight.
The hunter backed up and took a running jump, landing in the water nearest to Zydien. Silvaria swam up to the human and pecked her cheek. Zydien growled and submerged, swimming away awkwardly.
"One of these days, Silvaria, your rudeness will come back to bite your pretty little arse!" Trianna sighed in frustration, laying back and floating in the cool pond.
Silvaria snickered then swam to shore. She sat, basking in the light next to her companion Glerian, the white wolf. Zydien resurfaced and splashed out to sit close to the shore, the water lapping at her stomach.
"Worry not, priestess," Anadyia spoke softly as she offered a swirling red liquid, "This oil shall quell that...scent you have acquired."
"You're too kind...," Zydien grinned halfheartedly, taking the crystalline vial from her.
The sound of the popping cork caused the wolf to twitch his ears and raise his head. Zydien poured the concoction into her hand and rubbed it against her neck and face. Unaware to these beings, foreign eyes watched the human's hands with malevolent thoughts. The priestess swam to shallow water and poured the sweet liquid onto her chest, rubbing it in over her breasts and hips. The wolf's lips began to raise, a low growl emanating from his chest. Zydien looked up, alarmed, as was the wolf's master.
"Glerian, what is troubling you?" She asked worriedly, sitting up and putting a kind hand on the animal's back.
Silvaria's brow showed her concern for her beloved pet, and she patted him fondly, hoping to console him. But the wolf began to salivate as he stood in an aggressive stance, his yellow eyes staring fiercely across the pond. Zydien turned to hopefully discover what was causing the creature such panic, but saw nothing. The four were quiet, still, ready for their opposed to show themselves. Silvaria stood, pulling her engraved long bow and full quiver from the ground.
Anadyia rose from the water with unheard grace, a serious and stern look upon her face. Her hand grasped her poison laced dagger and she vanished. Trianna went to Zydien, pulling her close and behind her, to protect her adopted niece. Tense moments passed, Trianna's poise slowly diminished, her anger grew. Anadyia reappeared swiftly, a feral look in her eyes.
"Nothing, whoever or whatever it may have been is now gone." She said calmly, sheathing her dagger beside her tunic and breeches.
"Coward!" Silvaria yelled, shooting an arrow into the small tree near the foliage where their enemy had hid themselves.
"Our venture is over for today," Trianna spoke with hate in her voice, "I find no pleasure in our play being the focus of some vile creature..."
The others nodded, beginning to dress, their ancient eyes still urgently searching for some villain to encounter. Zydien ducked below the water, washing the oils from her body. She swam to her robes and dressed hurriedly, her mind weary of the anonymous being.