Sitara couldn't be exactly sure what in the frozen depths of Icecrown had convinced her to go to, well, Icecrown. Huffing, she leaned against Thassarian's chest, crossing her arms. He'd insisted on riding the same griffin as her, and, thought she'd never admit it, she was rather glad he had. She was sure that she'd never be comfortable riding an Argent Griffin alone.
When a sudden lull came in the snow and wind that was freezing her face off, Sitara looked around and gasped in pure shock. The Argent Tournament sat in front of them, the pure light in a dead world. As the griffin circled down, Sitara watched the jousters with growing fascination. Earthmother! She thought in amazement.
Once the griffin landed, Sitara launched herself off of it and stared at the huge yeti that many people were trying to hold down. Not noticing Thassarian as he walked up behind her, Sitara jumped when he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll go see if someone can tell me where Tirion is."
"Bye." She answered.
He looked at her for a few moments, then quietly left. Walking over to the benches, Sitara sat on the rough, sandpaper like wood and watched the jousting. It fascinated her, how people could ride their horses while attacking each other with long, pointed sticks.
"You look like you want to joust." An amused, female voice said.
Sitara jumped and spun around, finding herself face-to-face with a Blood Elf.
"I'm Ana Larkhummer." The Blood Elf informed her, bowing. "I'm one of the Argent Crusader's champions, and a head jouster here."
"Hmph." Sitara answered.
"Would you? I can teach you, you know."
Sitara frowned slightly. "I'm afraid that hitting people with sticks does not seem like my kind of sport."
Ana laughed, her eyes gleaming. "You shouldn't lie, child. It makes you look bad." She teased.
Sitara glared at the Blood Elf. Short, black hair, green eyes, and pale skin made up the elf. She wore an Argent Crusade tabard, and had a lance and shield strapped to her back. Prancing nervously beside her was one of the strange, skeletal mounts that the Forsaken seemed to favor.
"You ride skeletons?" Sitara questioned.
"And Hawkstriders, Kodos, Wolves, and Raptors." She answered promptly. "I've also rode the Alliance mounts, but I must admit, I'm not used to them."
What is with this woman? Sitara thought angrily. It was obvious that the Blood Elf was not leaving anytime soon. What does she want?
Ana smiled, and Sitara turned back to the jousters, ignoring her. Sitara tensed as the Blood Elf sat beside her, and they stayed that way for quite some time, silent and watching the jousters.
"Sitara?" Thassarian's voice rumbled, and she spun around to see him walking up to her.
Sitara turned to look next to her. Ana Larkhummer was gone. "Yeah?"
"Tirion Fordring is to arrive her in two days." Thassarian informed her.
"Mmm." She answered, looking around. Ana was nowhere to be found.
II
"I expect that you are used to riding Elekks." Ana's voice hummed.
Looking up from her mother's diary, Sitara glared at the Blood Elf. "What makes you think that?"
"Your legs muscles are more built for gripping something wide and, in my opinion, uncomfortable. If you had seen my leg muscles when I came here, you would have seen that they were built for holding onto a mount that is small, and rather comfy. A Hawkstrider"
The young girl's face showed an expression of disbelief. "How can you even see my leg muscles? I'm wearing leather pants."
"I can see them because leather forms to your shape better then mail or plate does. If you were wearing cloth, it would even be easier."
"Right…." Shaking her head, Sitara closed her book and stood up. "Well, I'm leaving."
"But if you leave, I can't teach you to ride a Hawkstrider." Ana objected, smiling.
"What if I don't want to learn?"
"Preposterous!" Larkhummer answered promptly. "Come, I'll show you how right now."
Opening her mouth to object, Sitara squawked in protest as Ana grabbed her wrist and pulled her along.
X
"Are you sure this is right? I feel extremely uncomfortable." Sitara looked down warily, the Hawkstrider under her shifting from side-to-side.
"Of course it's right. You just aren't used to it." Ana assured her, looking around them at the empty practice area. "Now, just… ride the dang thing until your used to it."
Sitara blinked. "Pardon?" But Ana was already sitting on the bench, smiling.
"Fine then." Sitara muttered, pressing her knees lightly into the hawkstrider's sides. It cawed and raced forward. Lurching on it, Sitara tightened her grip in it's reins and gasped slightly. The damn thing was fast, and small too. She felt as if she was riding a flea. How does it hold my weight?
Yanking on the reins, trying to be as gentle as possible, Sitara brought it in a gentle loop around the entire practice area. She smiled slightly, the creature was coming to her like a second nature. "I think I got this-"
The Hawkstrider screamed and thrashed suddenly, sending Sitara flying. She collapsed into a heap on the ground, and jerked her head up to see the creature being calmed by Ana, who was smirking instead of smiling.
Anger coursed through the young girl, and she stomped over to the Blood Elf. 'What are you trying to pull huh?" Sitara asked angrily. "Are you trying to get me killed?"
"Nope." Larkhummer smiled at Sitara. "I'm trying to teach you that these things scare easier then Elekks. You'll be thrown many, many times."
Sitara just snarled in response.
X
"You're going to make it throw me again, aren't you?" Sitara questioned, looking over at the Blood Elf in front of her.
"Nope." Ana answered, shifting on her hawkstrider.
Grumbling something under her breath, Sitara spurred her Hawkstrider forward, just at the same time as Ana. Ana's hawkstrider cried out as it's master was hit firmly with Sitara's lance, it's cry mingling with Ana's gasp of shock and pain.
Sitara smirked and tightened her grip on her hawkstrider, prepared for a tough battle.
X
Tirion would admit that he was surprised to see Thassarian of all people waiting for him. "Thassarian." He greeted the other man.
"Highlord." Thassarian answered with a nod.
"I must admit, Thassarian, I am surprised to see you here. I thought you were in the Borean Tundra."
"I was. But I agreed to help a young girl, and her quest took us here." Thassarian answered simply, walking with Tirion through the tournament grounds.
"Young girl?" Tirion repeated.
Sighing, the death knight nodded and growled something uncharitable under his breath about her. "Tirion, I would do this myself if I could, but I'm afraid I am unable to contact Darion at this moment."
"This girl is after Darion?" Tirion asked, unable ton conceal his surprise.
Thassarian laughed, shaking his head. "No. She wants to talk to Koltira. Unfortunately, only Darion can get Koltira over here." Thassarian sighed.
Tirion was quiet for a moment. He trusted Thassarian, and while he didn't know this girl, if Thassarian trusted her, then he would too. "Alright. I'll call for Darion, and ask him to bring Koltira here."
Thassarian's face showed clear relief. "Thank you, Highlord."
A loud cheer interrupted them, and they both turned, surprised to see one of the practice areas completely surrounded by people. After squirming through the crowds, Thassarian sighed and shook his head, noting Tirion's amazed expression. "That would be the girl, Highlord."
X
Sitara gasped as she was finally thrown from her hawkstrider, and collapsed onto the ground. Ana rode up beside her, and pressed the tip of her lance against the girl's throat. "I. Win." She growled, panting.
"Barely." Sitara gasped out.
Larkhummer grinned. Jumping off of her mount, the Blood Elf helped Sitara up, giggling the whole time. "That was fun!" She informed Sitara.
"I'll beat you next time." Sitara answered promptly.
Larkhummer laughed.
"Sitara." Thassarian's voice reached her, and she turned, wandering aimlessly over to him.
"Mmm?"
"This is the Highlord." Thassarian informed her, his voice filled with a wordless threat for if she was rude.
Sitara looked at the smiling, Ashbringer wielding man. "You're old." She finally said, frowning.
Thassarian groaned.
"Sitara Sundar Pressi." She added with a nod to him. "Now, if neither of you mind, I'm going to go wash off and take a serious nap." Without waiting for an answer, Sitara walked away.
III
Darion looked over the letter in his hand again. Glancing up at the mage beside him, he quietly went over to an unused piece of parchment and wrote a quick letter on it. Rolling it up and tying a ribbon around it (the ribbon that had been around his letter), Darion handed the new letter to the mage. "Give it to Koltira Deathweaver. No other stops." He added icily.
The mage gulped and nodded, tightening his grip on the letter. "Of course, Watcher." He managed, then vanished in a bright light.
Darion stared blankly at the spot the mage had been, then slowly turned and stared out at the icy, cold landscape. What are you planning, Tirion?
X
Koltira was wondering something along the same lines when he received the letter. He was confused, but that was to be expected. It wasn't everyday you received a note from Darion, claiming that both of you were needed at the Argent Tournament.
Koltira usually wouldn't have gone, thinking it some trick, but he trusted Darion, and trusted Tirion as well. With this trust in mind, Koltira had gone to the flight master of Agmar's Hammer, and had gotten the first wyvern available. Darion had said to make all haste.
X
Sitara fidgeted. She'd been told that today Koltira and Darion (whoever that was) would arrive. She was extremely nervous. This surprised her, as she usually was never nervous. In fact, this was the first time she'd felt like that.
Standing next to the almost empty bleachers, Thassarian was watching the people come and go. A few of them gave him and Sitara odd looks, but he ignored them.
"When should they arrive?"
"Soon." Thassarian assured her, hiding a smile.
Sitara nodded sharply and fell silent again.
They stayed the way for quite some time.X
"Darion." Tirion greeted the nineteen year old boy with a smile.
"Ebon Watcher." He corrected automatically before adding, "Greetings, Highlord."
Koltira stepped up to them. "Highlord." He bowed.
"Koltira." Tirion greeted, her smile growing warmer at the sight of his other friend. "Come, and I'll take you two to Thassarian and Sitara."
"Sitara?" Koltira questioned, already knowing that the Highlord wouldn't answer.
He got a smile in response. "She wants to talk to you. Don't ask me why, I don't know. Neither does Thassarian."
X
Darion and Tirion had paused on the way to the empty practice area in order to talk with a few members of the Silver Covenant. Koltira had continued on, urged by the glances Tirion had been sending him.
The bleachers were empty, except for a little girl with curly hair, the same color as his, and Thassarian, who was staring off at the snowy mountain peaks.
"Koltira!" Thassarian exclaimed, noticing the elf for the first time. He quickly walked over, and tugged Koltira into his arms with a grin. "I missed you."
Koltira sighed, and relaxed into the embrace. "And I you." They stayed that way for a few moments, before Thassarian, with a sigh of regret, shifted away.
"I should let you speak with Sitara now." Thassarian informed the elf.
Koltira nodded. "I shall spend more time with you soon." He promised softly, brushing their lips together.
Squirming away and walking over to the little girl, Koltira listened as Thassarian walked away.
They stared at each other. Finally the girl swallowed and said, "I'm Sitara Sundar Pressi."
Pressi…..Koltira's mind flashed back to the blonde, hyper sorceress who he'd met long, long ago.
"My mother, Sasha Pressi, well…. Do you know her?"
"Yes." Koltira answered quietly. "Where is she?"
"Dead. She died from a plague." Sitara answered quietly.
"I'm sorry." Koltira answered.
They were silent again. "Koltira…" Sitara started, smiling to herself at how good it felt to say his name. "I wanted to talk to you for a reason. You see…." She sighed. "No use beating around the bush. I'm your daughter, Koltira. My mother was pregnant with me after you two split."
Koltira stared at her in stunned silence. "My…. What?"
"Daughter." Sitara repeated helplessly.
Koltira suddenly could see the resemblance. Her hair, skin, and face was just like his. Her eyes had blue rings of the same color as his eyes. She had her mother's freckles and hazel eyes.
"Light." He said blankly.
Sitara laughed nervously.
"You… you're my daughter!" Koltira felt a rush of anger. "Why didn't your mother contact me? Where have you been all this time that I shouldn't know about you?"
"My mother was forced to give me up because I was half Blood Elf." Sitara answered. "She tried to contact you, but it was impossible. I was sent to the Draenei for training as a shaman."
After many minute of silence, Sitara asked sheepishly, "Are you very angry at her? Me?"
"Angry? No. I'm sad because I could not help her. I'm amazed because you somehow found me." Koltira cocked his head to the side. "How did you come to know of me?"
"Should I tell the long, detailed tale, or the short, quick and bland tale?"
"Let us go with the former, yes?"
Sitara nodded and settled down more comfortably. "Well, I learned about you when I turned thirteen…."
XXX
A/N: Finished! Huzzah! Big thank yous and chocolate cakes to everyone who reviewed/favourited and kept me going. Sequel will be up sometime, though I'm not quite sure when.
It may be awhile, as I'm posting a new story and I rather want those characters to be in the sequel, so I may wait until my new story (not Colors of the Wind) is finished.
I'll post a new chapter telling you guys when my new story is out, so that, if you want, you have something to read while you wait for the sequel.
Love you all,
Mars.
P.S: For being such good people, here are pictures of KoltiraxThassarian I found!
http://sashyasavvy . com/132037. html # cutid1 (get rid of space)