They wanted to take it from him. But he won't let them. No. He'll show them. He'll take theirs instead. He didn't know how long he had been wandering the land. It didn't matter. He would not stop searching for the power, the energy. Stopping by a small pond, he cupped his hands in to get some water to drink. As he did so, he saw his reflection. Gone were his distinct features he had once been proud of. He no longer cared. His face was drawn and tight. His hair tattered and darkened. He hardly looked like an elf anymore. The Wretched drank the water and then splashed the pond to erase the image he saw. It mattered not how he looked. The only thing that mattered was his thirst.

A noise alerted him to someone nearby. Standing up quickly, he faced the direction of the noise. A strand of hair fell in his face. This one had what he thirsted for. He could see the aura behind the bushes. Sweet arcane magic. His body practically tingled in anticipation of tapping the person of their magical energies. He smiled wickedly few had ever gotten away from him. He would drain them of their magic and leave them to the wild animals of these woods.

Using his own precious magical energies, he made himself invisible and heard an almost inaudible gasp. The Wretched moved to his left, circling around to where he could see the aura. There crouched low was an elf. She seemed to think she was hidden, but her aura had given her away. Another use of his precious magic, and the Wretched froze the elf to the spot, letting his invisibility spell drop as he did so. "Must have..." His eyes grew wider in anticipation as he approached her to tap her of her magic.

The elf shook her head, her pale blond hair falling over her shoulders. Her blue eyes held little fear. "No An'da!" This caused him to pause. The language she spoke was Darnassian. Why speak that to him? His body shook, almost in frustration at the delicious magic trapped before him just waiting for him to take. He moved forward again. "Dad! Stop! Don't you recognize me?"

He stopped again and took a closer look at her. Her ears were slightly longer than most Quel'dorei. And now that he paying more attention, her skin had a violet hue to it. Something in the back of his mind said he should know her. She called him 'dad'. Was this his daughter? He struggled for a name he hadn't thought of in years. "A-dorei?"

"I- I wanted to find you for so long, An'da. Please. Please can you forget your desires and become who you used to be?" Her eyes pleaded with him.

He struggled for a moment, but the desires called to him, overwhelming him as they always do. The life he had before he had given in to is addiction was gone. There was nothing left save for the sweet magical energies that call to him always. And hers was too appealing not to take. With a hunger beyond his comprehension, he surged forward to attack her.

…

Kirlothenin woke up, gasping for breath. Sweat matted his hair and his eyes grew wide with the lingering horror of his nightmare. Hands touched him and he flinched away, turning is head to see a female blood elf sitting next to his bed. He blinked and tried to reel in his emotions, looking around the room he was in. He didn't recognized the place. "Where am I?"

"Stormwind. More specifically, Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker's home." Her voice was gruff, yet held a hint of concern. "That was some nightmare you were having."

He looked at her again, calming down and collecting his thoughts once more. She looked familiar. Where had he seen her before? She held a bowl with something inside and indicated for him to drink it. Lifting his hands to take it, he saw a bracelet on his wrist with a simple blue stone. A magic blocker. Was he a prisoner? Memories began to come back to him as he took it and drank. The brew had a calming effect and he let it work it's way through his system. As he drank, he recalled Ravenholdt Manor.

...

One week ago...

Ravenholdt's men pulled Jerold's body outside. There, they burned it so that he could not be raised again into undeath. Once the flames engulfed the forsaken's body, Shaw approached Kirlothenin. "Can you port us anywhere near Stormwind?"

Kirlothenin gave a grim smile. "I can." He remembered going into Stormwind on business when he was still a member of the Kirin Tor. That was before Arthas Menethil had lead his army of undead into Quel'Thalas, killing many high elves, including N'Lar. Stormwind has probably changed somewhat, but he figured one place would be the same. "Has the Cathedral District changed any in the past ten years?

Shaw raised an eyebrow. "A little. But not much. The Cathedral is still there."

Kirlothenin watched Adam and Baros carry Aron Boxley's body outside. It was time to relinquish his connection to the architect, but the addiction would come back full force, and he could be a danger to himself and others. "Mathias Shaw, I must ask a favor." When the SI:7 leader turned his full attention on him, Kirlothenin asked, "After I open the portal to the Cathedral District, I must end the connection to Mr. Alexston. I want you to render me unconscious and keep me that way until Broll Bearmantle arrives. The letter I sent earlier informed him of my ...condition. He can help me get through this."

"Aren't you worried what would happen to you if you go to Stormwind?" Shaw regarded him with a studious eye.

"No. I already have a sentence on my head, which Bearmantle has authority on. First thing is first, however. I need to get over this addiction." The mage watched Mathias pull out a small bottle and coat his dagger with its contents.

"A simple sleeping poison. I'm afraid it must be applied by giving you a cut and let it mix into your bloodstream."

"That is acceptable. Ileeya can heal the cut easily. Just don't let her remove the poison." Kirlothenin muttered the words to create the portal while envisioning the steps of the cathedral in Stormwind. Once that was done, Shaw's blade sliced across Kirlothenin's arm, not too deep, but enough to bleed. The mage ended the connection to Baros and gasped as he lost the architect's extra will and the addiction came back to him in full force. He immediately began to perspire and breathe hard. It didn't last long, however, as the sleeping poison worked it's way through his system. A few seconds later, darkness enveloped him.

…

Present...

Kirlothenin put the empty bowl down as he regarded the blood elf before him. He recalled her name finally. "Valeera Sanguinar." She had helped him the first time he had to recover from his addiction.

"That's me." She smirked.

"How long have I been out of it?"

"A week. Broll ordered that bracelet to be put on you. Apparently, you can cast magic while dreaming."

He glanced at the bracelet. "Then I am not a prisoner?"

Valeera shrugged a shoulder. "Well, I know you're not supposed to leave this house until some people have some sort of meeting. I didn't ask."

He regarded her. "You can roam freely here?"

Her eyes darkened slightly. "Lo'Gosh wouldn't dare lock me up. Though I claim no loyalty to the Alliance, he knows I am loyal to him and Broll. Some people give me dirty looks, others ignore me. I don't care either way. They are strangers." She stood up and walked towards a table. "Food here if you're hungry. How are you feeling?"

He searched within himself and found that the overwhelming feeling of needing more magic had diminished greatly. "It is back to a more reasonable level. I thank you for your help in this, Ms. Sanguinar."

"Valeera. I don't go for the formality stuff."

"Valeera." He looked at the bracelet again. "Where are Ileeya and Adorei?"

"Downstairs. Want me to go get them?"

Kirlothenin recalled the dream he had had. "No. I have a favor to ask, first."

…

Adam hooked a finger underneath the collar of his suit. He hated wearing this formal attire. But, it was par for the course when attending an official meeting in the House of Nobles. Kristie adjusted his tie. She looked beautiful in the dress she wore. He was nervous, but tried not to show it. He had had no training in politics. When he had expressed his concerns to Lord Grayson, the paladin only smiled. "Maybe you'll bring in a fresh perspective."

Kristie looked him in the eyes. "You'll do fine. I'll be right next to you. Remember, it's my first time as well."

"You should be the vote-giver instead of me. You seem to have a better understanding of politics than me."

She laughed. "That's because Dad was always talking about this and that decision the Nobles had made."

Adam gave her a kiss. "I'm glad you're with me, Kristie. I don't think I could do this without you." His mind went briefly to the funeral they had had for his father two days ago. Most of the House of Nobles had attended, and even King Varian had come. Prince Anduin had been elsewhere and couldn't attend. It had been hard watching his father's body being lowered into the ground next to Ruben's grave. Adam closed his eyes to keep them from watering as he pushed those memories back. He couldn't look weak in front of the other nobles.

With a deep breath and letting it out quickly, he nodded his head to her and the two entered the Patrician's Chambers. The couple were greeted warmly by Lord Grayson and a few other nobles. Others, however, were more reserved. Baron Aldous Lescovar was among those who disliked Adam's spot in the House of Nobles. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the little runaway."

Adam faced him with a mask of neutrality. "Good evening, Baron Lescovar."

The Baron's eyes roamed to Kristie and he looked her up and down. Adam didn't like the way he looked at her. "The Alexston girl. I suppose you're here to speak on behalf of your father?" Adam felt Kristie stiffen next to him.

"Lady Alexston is here as my future bride, Baron. As such, she is due the respect of her status." Adam's voice was congenial, but the warning could not be missed.

"Lady Alexston?" Aldous sneered openly. "She is not yet married to you. I will not address her as such until after your wedding...if it should occur."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Adam lost his reserved tone and outright challenged the man, stepping forward as he did so.

Lord Grayson and Lord Romano stepped in between the two. "Gentlemen. We have business to discuss," Grayson said.

"Then let's discuss it and get it done with!" Lescovar said, turning away with a smug look on his swinish face.

Grayson stepped forward as the others found their seats. "First on the agenda tonight is a new issue. It seems we have some citizens in need of Stormwind's help in Lordaeron. As you know, Southshore in Hillsbrad was decimated last year. Some of the citizens have retreated to an island in Lordaemere Lake and are holding out for as long as they can. One of Lord Aron Boxley's last promises was that he would send supplies and aid to them." He nodded in Adam's direction. "His son is here today to make sure his father's final promise is fulfilled."

Lescovar spoke up. "Be that as it may, Lord Aron spoke too soon if he thinks he can speak for the whole of the House of Nobles. We've already given enough to this damn war of Varian's. If the Hillsbrad refugees want peace, have them come here and give up that small island!"

Adam stood up to speak. "They are fighting for what they believe in, Lescovar. They didn't choose to have the forsaken decimate their homes!"

"That's not our problem, Boxley. We have to focus on our own homes, not some half-built shacks they seem to think they have a claim to! Lordaeron is the forsaken's territory! Let them have it and we can have ours."

Now Kristie stood up. "Do you really think the forsaken will let it rest there? Once they are secure in the Northern Territories, you can bet they will head south. How would you like it if your home was suddenly taken from you? Would you fight for it?"

Lescovar stepped closer to her, eyes narrowed and Adam placed himself between them. "You're rather eager to spend other people's money, Miss Alexston," the baron said.

"Ease up there, Baron," Grayson interjected. "If Miss Alexston hadn't said it, I would have. She's seen the way the refugees live firsthand. She has a right to speak."

"Does she?" Lescovar turned to the paladin. "I think she speaks too soon for not being a true noble. She's just a commoner looking to marry into wealth and notoriety. And if she's seen them firsthand, then maybe she's too close to the situation."

Adam was livid with the accusations the baron was throwing out about Kristie. Romano had to hold him back and Lescovar sneered at him. "Don't play with the big boys, kid. You might get hurt. Why don't you go back to your little guild and leave the grown up work to the real nobility."

Before Adam could get a word off otherwise, a voice from the entrance to the room spoke evenly, but with a clear warning. "I assure you, Baron Lescovar, Lord Boxley and Lady Alexston are pure nobles and anyone who says otherwise will have me to answer to, is that clear?"

Everyone turned and quickly bowed to King Varian Wrynn who stepped fully into the room now. "Your Highness. I was merely-"

"Save the platitudes Lescovar. Let's get on with the business of the Hillsbrad refugees. King Greymane has offered the support of the Gilneans should you vote to help the refugees. Apparently one of SI:7's worgen agents had put in a recommendation to him. They want to work together at establishing a foothold."

The rest of the evening went without any more incidents and Adam and Kristie walked home, tired. Lord Tony Romano joined them. "I expected some grumbling when you two arrived. It seems Lescovar has taken a real dislike to you," said Romano.

"We noticed. Is he always like that?" Adam asked.

"Sometimes." Romano stopped and looked at them. "I don't think he'll really try anything, but if he's anything like his father, we might want to keep an eye on him. You should know, he's also spoken of misgivings of Amy's entitlement to a noble's respect."

Adam growled under his breath. "None of his da-" He glanced at Kristie and corrected himself. "None of his business. We already consider her to be our daughter. Blood lines don't matter."

"He's old school, Adam. To him, bloodlines are everything. And don't be surprised if he pushes the fact that he is a higher ranking noble. He'll get away with whatever he can." Romano glanced around. "I've got a meeting I need to get to. Just remember, if he thinks he can push you around, he will and then some. And he's not the only one to keep an eye on." Romano bid them farewell and left.

"And here I thought the life of a rogue was tough." Adam shook his head. "Let's go home."

…

"There are only two people right now that I trust to do this. Miss Proudmoore is unavailable, so I'm asking you."

"I am honored." Ysuria stood watching Kirlothenin in the quiet manner he remembered she had. "But, I'm curious. Why me?"

Kirlothenin looked out the window, watching a bird fly high above the trees. "You never judged me. When I was Ileeya's prisoner, you stood and watched, never glaring, never saying anything." He looked at her now. "Most high elves would have shown their disdain, or made some sort of remark. You did not. And when you finally spoke, it was out of concern for Ileeya and Adorei. For that you have earned my trust and respect."

"Respect, I see. Trust?" She looked over towards Adam, Mathias, and Broll sitting at a table. "Perhaps some, but not without some reservations."

"I've asked them here only because of what had happened the last time I let a mage into my head, Ysuria. I do trust you, but I am still ...wary."

"I assure you, I have no interest in promoting your addiction, Kirlothenin." She hesitated. "Are you sure you want to do this? It won't solve your problem."

He regarded her with an openness he had not shown the last time he had seen her. "It is what they used against me, and were nearly successful. I will not allow it to happen again. By blocking my knowledge of how to tap magical energies, I cannot use it to feed my addiction. Nor can anyone else use it against me. It is a simple block and can be removed at a later date should I trust myself to do so."

"Very well. Let us begin." She stepped up to him and placed a hand on his temple. A few minutes later, she finished and Kirlothenin could no longer tap magical energies. It didn't seem to matter all that much to him. He had used other methods to restore his magical energies since allying himself with Ileeya- methods that would not feed his addiction. Those would have to suffice. He realized that he was essentially giving up his ties to the sin'dorei in doing this as well. But he guessed that it didn't matter since his name is most likely on wanted posters in the Horde cities now.

Ysuria asked if he wanted her to send in Ileeya and Adorei. Kirlothenin told her not yet. "First, I would like to speak to Lord Boxley and Mr. Shaw alone for a moment." The high elf and druid nodded their heads before leaving the room.

"Yeah, drop the 'Lord' part, Kirlothenin or I'll slap you upside the head again," Adam said as soon as the others had left.

"But that is your title now." Kirlothenin allowed a small smile on his face.

"So? Friends don't have to use titles unless in formal situations. This isn't formal."

The mage lost his smile as he regarded the younger man. Did Adam just call him a friend? There was a stirring inside him that he recognized as appreciation for the man's willingness to put the past behind him. "Very well, Adam."

Mathias pulled something out and showed it to Kirlothenin. "Before we do anything else, I want to ask if you might recognize this?" The mage took the dagger from Shaw and realized it was the one pulled from Lara's back. He took a closer look and shook his head, noticing initials etched on the pommel.

"R.M.?" He searched his memory of anyone he may know with those initials but ended up shaking his head. "I don't know anyone with those initials."

"I know a couple of people with the initials in their names. However, I doubt this belongs to either of them. No one else from our group is familiar with this dagger, nor the initials. The team of agents I had stationed in Hillsbrad weren't familiar with it either." He put the dagger away. "We'll figure it out eventually. Now, what did you want to talk to us about, Mr. Dawnwhisper?"

Kirlothenin looked down for a moment and took in a deep breath. "I require an important promise from you." He looked at each of them staring at him in silence. When he spoke again, it was very sombre and serious. "Should I ever succumb to my addiction and become a Wretched, I want you to kill me."

Adam shook his head. "You won't-"

"I never thought I'd get as close as I did a week ago, Adam," he snapped. "I have no intention of giving in to my addiction. But I must face the truth that there is a chance it could happen somehow. And if it does, the last thing I want is to hurt others in my search for the arcane. To a quel'dorei and sin'dorei, becoming a Wretched is equal to becoming undead, perhaps worse. Once a Wretched always a Wretched. There's no turning back. The best thing you could do for me should such a thing occur, is to kill me."

The younger rogue regarded him for a few minutes. He glanced at Shaw, then back at Kirlothenin. "I ...promise."

Kirlothenin looked at Shaw. "I'm afraid that Mr. Alexston has a somewhat undisciplined mind, Mr. Shaw. While we were linked, he unwittingly revealed to me that which a rogue holds in the highest regards, that of a blood promise." He saw the man tense up and quickly reassured him. "I will tell no one of what I have discovered. I understand your desire to keep it secret. However," he regarded Adam once more. "I'm afraid it is what I ask from you, Adam Boxley."

Adam stood silent and still. The mage could only guess what was going through his head. "There is more." He sighed. "The reason I ask such a heavy promise is because of a recurring nightmare. In this dream, I had succumbed to my desires and become a Wretched. At one point, I..." He looked away, turmoil stirring inside him. "I come across Adorei as an adult. My desires overrode my love for her and I attacked her." He felt disgusted with himself, despite the fact that it was not real.

"It was just a dream."

"I realize that, Adam. But the fear is very real to me right now. This is why I ask the promise." He looked back at his new friend, feeling quite vulnerable at the moment. It was hard for him to admit fear to anyone. To keep his mind off it, he changed the subject, slightly. "Is it customary for me to give a promise in return?"

Adam glanced at Mathias, then back at Kirlothenin. "Yeah." He fell silent and paced away a few feet. A few minutes later, he paced back, running his hand through his hair. "Kristie and I went to our first House of Nobles meeting last night. It was tense, to say the least. I don't trust Lescovar and a couple of other nobles. While I have faith that Shaw and SI:7 will keep us safe, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have an extra set of experienced eyes watching our backs." At Kirlothenin's nod, Adam added, "It's a lot to ask. So I'm going to make this even. Kirlothenin, not only will I promise to do as you asked, I will also watch your back, including Ileeya's, Adorei's and whomever else may come along. In return, you will watch my back, including Kristie, Amy, and any future Boxley." Adam paused, then added, "Provided the women approve."

One corner of Kirlothenin's mouth curled upwards as he nodded his head. He then paused and shook his head. "One addendum to that. I don't think it would be a good idea to tell Ileeya about your promise to kill me. As much as I don't want to keep secrets from her, I think it would be best to just not say anything."

Adam agreed. "Kristie wouldn't like it, either. So, same goes for her."

Shaw pulled out a dagger. He started to clean it off and spoke to Kirlothenin. "You realize what this means, Mr. Dawnwhisper?"

"Call me Kir."

"Good. You elves have damn long names." He checked the blade of his dagger before speaking again. "This blood promise will make you and Adam family, literally. You will be brothers."

The mage nodded once more and glanced at Adam. "I don't have a problem with that if he doesn't."

Adam had an odd look on his face, then a slow smile spread across it. "I think ...I wouldn't mind having a brother again."

Now Kirlothenin grinned. "As I am older than you, I suppose I would get to order you around."

Shaw grinned now. "If you accept my job offer, then I'm afraid he'll get to order you around. New recruits always start at the lowest rank, no matter how good they are."

Kirlothenin blinked and turned his full attention to the SI:7 leader. "Job?"

"Yeah. SI:7 is a rogue guild, but we've employed others before who were not rogues. We could use a mage of your caliber, Kirlothenin."

"Would your King Varian approve of me staying here and working for you?"

"Already has. After having Broll, Valeera, and myself vouch for you, he couldn't say no."

Kirlothenin was stunned, speechless. He honestly hadn't thought the Alliance would go so far as to allow him to work for them. He had figured he would be confined to a small area until he was asked to leave and go back to Moonglade.````

Moonglade. Kirlothenin frowned. Was is safe there now? The forsaken apothecaries may not let them be until they have Adorei. Of course, the Cenarian Circle druids who lived in Moonglade would probably step up security for them, especially with Dormir being a member and Ileeya applying to join them. He truly loved working for himself with the alchemy, but there had been times when he had felt a little bored. He never said anything, though. As long as he was with Ileeya and Adorei, he was happy. The idea of working for Shaw was intriguing. Perhaps he could work part time for himself as an alchemist, and part time for Shaw? But then, Ileeya may not like the idea. "I would have to discuss it with Ileeya before I give you an answer to that, Mr. Shaw."

"Understandable. I should mention while you are considering it, once you're accepted, your house arrest in Moonglade would be pardoned. Broll has already agreed to it. Now, to complete this pact between you and Adam..."

After the two rolled up their sleeves, Adam grasped Kirlothenin's arm just below the elbow. Shaw placed the dagger between their arms as Kirlothenin grabbed Adam's arm. The two repeated their promises to each other and Shaw pulled the dagger down quickly, cutting their skin. He pressed the arms together to let the blood mingle. "It is done."