Sitara remained undefeated, and this was no surprise to her fellow students. However, she became contemplative, and rarely did more damage then necessary to her fellow students. When one child warily approached her at lunch, and began speaking with her, she actually spoke back and was slightly friendly.
This was a surprise, as usually she'd ignore them or attack them until they ran away. Teachers realized that while she probably wasn't going to follow their advice, at least now she was listening to it, not ignoring them. Everyone was happy.
Then, the day came that all the students would be made into full shamans, able to train their own students. In tradition, your father would walk you to your teacher, and then bless you by putting the traditional necklace around your neck and kissing your brow.
Sitara became moody around this time. She did not have a father.
I
Sitara frowned as she watched another student walk of with his father. The ceremony was played through, and then another student went up. Sitara, however, was achingly alone.
Dressed in the traditional green and brown robe, Sitara quickly stepped out when it was her turn. Velen looked at her gravely, his eyes pleading with her not to go along with her plan.
Sorry, old man, but we agreed to it yesterday.
Sitara stood in front of Wolfskal. As soon as his mouth opened, she tossed her robes aside, crying, "Halt!"
On her body was a leather shirt, much like the top of the dresses that Night Elvin druid wore. Sleeveless, it held firmly onto her body and ended a bit above her belly button. On her legs was a pair of leather pants, the same soft blue designs swirling on them as on the shirt. Gloves, bracers and boots were on her body as well.
"Sitara…?"
"Thank you for the training Wolfskal. I'm afraid, however, that I am unable to do this. I must have a father in order to do the ceremony." Sitara turned, facing all the students. "And my father, who knows nothing about me, is not here."
She turned back to Wolfskal. "You, of all people, should understand. I can't break tradition."
"I am your father, Sitara." He said sternly. "Stop this foolishness."
"Father? Where did your brain go? You aren't my father, nor are you close to it. You are a teacher, someone who used to know more than I did." Sitara sneered. "Now you are nothing to me. And I am leaving to find my father." She raised her hand. "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I dislike half of you half as well as you deserve." She paused. "Goodbye."
Her hearthstone, which she'd set to Stormwind last night, had been working the entire time. It flashed, and she vanished.
II
Stormwind was a large metropolis where thousands of people worked, played, visited and lived. Many Alliance members stopped in and out of this white stone city, either looking for class trainers, profession trainers, bank, mailbox, auction house or the barber shop. Sometimes someone stopped in for quests, or repair. Maybe someone went by in order to learn a new weapon skill; or to thin the Defias flock at the Stockades. Once in a while a group of Horde might pass in, trying to kill King Varian Wrynn. They were quickly dealt with, as the Alliance always got warning from someone and, by the time the Horde arrived, had even set themselves up with the largest mounts in the back, smallest in the front, weapons ready.
This was the town that young Sitara arrived in, ready to meet the King.
Stormwind City was broken up into sections. Upon entering, you would walk through the Valley of Heroes. A long walk with statues of famous people who entered the Dark Portal in order to head to Draenor, many place flowers on the statues of these heroes in honor of their sacrifice.
Next is the Trade District. The Trade District lies in the center of Stormwind City and is always bustling with activity. The city's bank, auction house, gryphon master, and inn are all located within. In addition, consumers find plenty of outlets for their coin in the various equipment shops nearby. For those with a taste for the delectable, the Trias and Gallina families run cheese and wine shops out of The Trade District as well
To the east of the Trade District is Old Town, the resurrected remains of the small village that was once clustered around the base of Stormwind Keep back in the days before the First War. Though quaint, this district is a bit more rough around the edges. Pickpockets, beggars, and the impoverished try to make a living in its alleys. Though all businesses are honest, their inventories can be a bit exotic - poisons, venoms, assassin's daggers, and potent alcohol are all on the menu in Old Town. Fortunately, the Stormwind guard barracks are located along the edges of Old Town, so those traveling through have little reason to worry. However, the barracks share their edifice with SI:7, a guild of assassins and rogues. Whether the Stormwind guards enjoy the presence of their neighbors is difficult to figure out
To the west of The Trade District is The Mage Quarter. Though Stormwind had a handful of able mages among its ranks during the Second War, the arrival of the dispossessed wizards of Dalaran signaled Stormwind's importance as the world's new center of magical study. The Academy of Arcane Arts and Sciences stands proudly in the center of the district, and the tower is so packed with students that it is often on fire, encased in ice, or half-hidden behind a curtain of sparkling arcane energy. The rest of the district is filled with tailoring shops, warehouses storing magical artifacts and reagents, and bustling coffeehouses and bars filled to the brim with mages and warlocks. During the First War, Stormwind utilized the services of the mysterious conjurers, but they no longer have any presence in the city.
North of The Mage Quarter is The Park. Though there was once a time where The Park was merely a park, today it serves as the home for the biggest concentration of night elves in the Eastern Kingdoms. Though the other Alliance races have a long way to go before understanding the strange ways of the night elves, it is not a rare sight to see them all mingling in Stormwind's park. At its center, The Park contains a Moonwell, one of only a handful in the Eastern Kingdoms. Strangely, this Moonwell does not visibly glow like those found in other locations, although it still possesses sufficient power to purify felcloth.
To the north of The Trade District is Cathedral Square, the religious mecca for all followers of the Holy Light. Though Stormwind Keep is the biggest structure in Stormwind City, many believe the most awe-inspiring is the Cathedral of Light. Even the druidic night elves are filled with wonder when they look upon its tall white towers and imposing architecture. Within the cathedral are the most faithful and true paladins and priests of the human race. The bishops at the cathedral are on a lifelong quest to bring the light to the darkest places on Azeroth, and all are welcome within the cathedral's walls as long as their journey is one of good and not evil. Other notable locations in the square include the city's orphanage (inhabited by many sons and daughters of families who lost their lives during the three wars) and the city census, where Stormwind's architects and researchers try to find ways to improve the quality of life in the human city.
To the east of Cathedral Square is The Dwarven District, where the dwarves and gnomes of Ironforge carve a slice of Stormwind life out for themselves. The air is thick with smoke and sparks, and the ground trembles with the pounding of every anvil, but to many it feels just like a home should. A trove of weapon and armor shops line the streets, and blacksmiths create masterpieces out of common metals in the many open-air plazas. Many adventurers pass through The Dwarven District on their way to the Deeprun Tram, a marvel of gnomish engineering and fast transport to the city of Ironforge. The massive spinning cog that frames the entrance to the tram tunnel cannot be missed.
The harbor is located in the most northern area bordering the Great Sea, with the access point set between The Park and Cathedral Square. Stormwind City itself towers over the harbor below, with cannons stationed all along the walls. A major transportation hub, the docks are teeming with all sorts of activity. Both of the most outer docks are currently in use, thereby connecting to Valiance Keep in the Borean Tundra and replacing the Menethil Harbor - Auberdine line connecting the Eastern Kingdoms to Northern Kalimdor. Siege engines are also dotted throughout the area, and at the northern tip one can find a large shipyard. If you are friendly enough, Thargold Ironwing will grant you a free aerial tour through the entire region.
Finally, the crown of Stormwind City remains Stormwind Keep. Rising high between The Dwarven District and Old Town, the keep is an architectural triumph for the ages. Within are many librarians, nobles, and representatives of the human peoples as well as the Battlemasters who organize adventurers of the Alliance into armies ready to march on the battlegrounds of Warsong, Alterac, and Arathi. It is home to King Varian Wrynn, whom has recently returned after being kidnapped by the defias while on a diplomatic mission to Kalimdor. In the absence of his father, Anduin Wrynn watched over the city in his fathers stead. Lady Katrana Prestor and Highlord Bolvar Fordragon aided the ten-year-old king in his rule, though many remain critical of Stormwind's interim government. Accusations of corruption within the House of Nobles ultimately led to the source of this discord, and the dispatching of the shadowy Lady Prestor by brave heroes.
It was the Keep that Sitara stepped up to now, Her soft green and gold cloak pulled around her body. The guards gave her slight nods as she passed and entered the main hall of the keep. Slipping up, she soon stood before King Varian Wrynn, no intimidation or fear in her eyes.
"Wrynn, I wish to speak with you."
"I'm sure I have more pressing matters," He started.
"Now." That one word soon had her and the king in a lock room, staring at each other.
"What is it that you need, miss….?"
"I am Sitara Pressi. My mother came home from the Outland when she was pregnant, only to find that she could not keep me. I was given to the Draenei, who raised me while my mother died of unknown causes. If you cannot, tell, I am half Blood Elf."
"This does not-"
"I am here because I request your aid in finding my father." Sitara snapped.
"You…"
"His name is Koltira Fireweaver."
"You want to look for the elf that raped your mother?"
"He would never!" Sitara cried. She yanked her mother journal out and tossed it on the table in between them. "This is Sasha's dairy! She says that she loves him in it! I'm looking for him because I love him too, and I need a parent."
"What about Wolfskal?"
"He's a teacher." The girl corrected.
Varian stared at her. "I cannot help a fool."
Sitara tensed, glared, and let out a cry while spitting in his face. She fled the keep.
III
The young girl sat in the harbor, watching the boats pull in and out. Tears misted her gaze over, and she closed her eyes slightly. If this is how Varian reacted, I'd hate to see Magni and Tryande's reaction.
Sitara felt alone, with nothing to do, nowhere to go. Maybe I should just head back to Wolfskal. I've failed, obviously.
"Varian wouldn't help you. Neither would Velen."
Spinning around, Sitara stared the Night Elf woman down. "You were spying."
"No. You've just projected your thoughts to loudly."
"Thoughts? But… You're a shaman too!" Sitara jumped up, staring at the elf in shock.
"I can help you." She answered. "You think that Tryande wouldn't help you, but you're wrong. She always helps."
"How can I trust you?"
"Because you don't have any other choice."
"Of course I do! I have thousands of choices. I can… well… um…" Sitara's brow knitted as she furiously thought.
"You cannot go back to Wolfskal, as that would involve the ceremony. Stormwind you wish not to stay in, you abhor Dwarves and Gnomes, and the Horde shan't welcome you." A pale hand reached out to the young girl. "Come." At Sitara's hesitation, it twitched slightly. "Trust me, little one."
Sitara sighed. "Fine." Ignoring the hand, she instead followed the Night Elf, looking akin to a lost puppy.
IV
The female motioned towards the Temple of the Moon. Sitara glanced at her, and, without saying a thanks or goodbye, entered the temple. Sitting near the fountain was Tryande, her gentle white robe tugged around her. She looked up.
"Greetings, Sitara Sundar Pressi. Elune told me of your coming."