This story is rated M for some language, some adult themes and violence.))
Through the Hour Glass
A World of Warcraft fanfic
By Heidi Cautrell
Part 3
Several hours later the sun began to set, coloring the barren landscape vibrant orange. A sigh of relief was almost audible from all of the night elves in the unit Xyra and Gelles had joined--the night was when they were at their full strength. A quick glance at Gelles told Xyra her friend realized this as well because she straightened slowly and lifted her chin. She cocked her head to one side and seemed to be listening. Xyra grinned widely, wondering how much more her friend could hear and see now that she was a night elf and the night's embrace came to welcome them.
The question would wait because they were finally approaching the Cenarion Circle outpost in Silithus. Xyra wondered idly if those names applied in the past as well or if the desert had been named something else before the War of the Shifting Sands. Once they arrived within the immediate compound of the outpost, their mounts were taken from them to be fed, watered and rested. Xyra gave her mount a friendly rub behind the ears, her thoughts still on her saber, Nox.
The compound itself looked newer than in the future, the stones less worn by wind and sand, the inn more welcoming, the moonwell glowing brightly. The things that were lacking, of course, were the other races that were part of the Alliance and the Cenarion Circle in the future. A thousand years in the past there were only night elves and they were the ones that would bleed and die and suffer to halt the Silithus, though they wouldn't be able to do it alone.
"You two, follow me!" said the Lieutenant from behind them. Xyra hadn't gotten her name, nor had she actually confirmed the woman was a lieutenant, but she was certain once they reached Fandral, all would be revealed, including her lie regarding who they were and what they were doing. A quick glance at Gelles was all she had time for as they hurried to catch up to the impatient sentinel. Gelles' return stare was grim but determined. They shared a quick smile of reassurance.
Guards, sentinels, druids and priestesses moved here and there as the trio walked through the outpost inner grounds. Several watched, obviously curious about why they were headed in the direction of the command bunker where Fandral was no doubt ensconced. Xyra kept her eyes forward, her gait easy and her face blank. She wasn't solider material, but she knew enough to pass as one--she hoped.
As usual there were no doors to the building, though there were guards everywhere. The Lieutenant paused briefly to state her business and then moved on. The two sentinels eyed the pair of friends curiously as they entered. It didn't help that they weren't dressed like sentinels or guards nor possessed anything resembling kal'dorei uniforms or insignias. Xyra continued to turn their problem over in her mind, searching for the answer that would enable them to stay and help as Zephyr had instructed. Xyra also muttered a few choice words regarding Zephyr's parentage. Gelles, hearing them keenly for the first time, quirked an eyebrow in surprise. Xyra grinned nervously and shrugged.
They walked through an atrium lined with bowls of moonwell water which brightened as the evening came on. Next they passed through a common area where several higher level officers were talking around a table that seemed to have grown into a long oval shape, complete with benches. Finally they came to a smaller room that was lined with benches and a door that was guarded by two towering druids. The room was lit by a few lamps and, unlike the other rooms they'd passed through had no windows at all. The corners of the room were hidden in shadow. One shadowed corner in particular had a figure standing to attention. A female sentinel, if Xyra had to guess, but her face was covered by a helmet and her coloring was hidden by the darkness so that even a night elf couldn't see it clearly.
"Shadowmeld," Gelles murmured, her golden eyes on the figure in the corner. Xyra nodded her agreement. It seemed odd that one of the sentinels would choose to shadowmeld within the compound. However, her curiosity would have to be sated at a later date for at that moment Fandral Staghelm strode into the room.
"Why do you disturb me with such trivial matters, Lieutenant Starfall?" Fandral's voice boomed as he entered the nearly empty waiting area, "If they are deserters, treat them as such, otherwise assign them to another unit and stop wasting my time"
"I believe they are more than just deserters, sir. Perhaps they are spies. They are dressed in a matter I have never seen." Lieutenant gestured toward the two new comers, her voice taut as if she were restraining herself from saying more.
Fandral frowned. "I have no time for foolishness. Put them under arrest and be done with this"
Xyra opened her mouth to protest, to plead their innocence, but a soft voice from the shadows cut her off. "Sir. That won't be necessary. They are my responsibility"
Fandral swiveled around, glaring into the shadows. "Commander, I see you still delight in startling me"
The sentinel in the shadow shifted, but didn't slip from shadowmeld. "My apologies, sir, I am here merely to ensure my people are not treated unfairly"
A scowl deepened the lines between Fandral's brow. Stroking his beard absently, he finally said, "Very well, you deal with this." He turned sharply to glower at Lieutenant Starfall. "And don't interrupt me again with such petty matters," he practically snarled, then stalked back into the room he'd come out of moments before.
Xyra glanced at Gelles. The pair shared a questioning look before they turned their attention to the Commander in the shadows. The shadow spoke. "Lieutenant, you are dismissed. I will see to these two, they are part of a reconnaissance mission that seems to have gone badly"
With a sharp salute to the Commander and an unfriendly stare at the two friends, the Lieutenant marched out. The voice spoke again. "Druids, if you please, I need privacy." The two druids that stood guard around the door that Fandral had entered stepped inside and shut the door.
Clearing her throat, Xyra finally spoke, "They call you Commander, but may I ask what your name is"
A soft chuckle issued from the shadows and then, as if by a switch, the shadows lessened and from the corner strode a sentinel in full battle plate, the purple scales and ornate silver carving, both functional and beautiful, seemed to shimmer in the lamp light. The helm was ornate and allowed only the silver of the Commander's eyes to shine through.
"I believe that should be my question to you two. What are your names?" Her voice was louder now and full of authority that spoke of many years in command.
Surprising Xyra and the Commander both, Gelles was the one to speak first. "Allahna Lunastar, Master Sergeant and Xyradia Lunastar, Sergeant, Ma'am." Gelles snapped a salute, her movements brisk and more assured than the last time she had attempted the awkward style of kal'dorei salute. Xyra quickly followed her example.
"Then I believe we have a problem, ladies, because I know, intimately, all of the Lunastars and I do not know either of you," said the Commander, her voice flat.
A slight frown creased Xyra's forehead. Something was familiar about this Commander. "If you please, Ma'am. What is your name? And..." Xyra hesitated a moment. "May I see your face"
"Bold requests for one who is in danger of being tried and executed as a spy, traitor or deserter." The Commander's voice held contempt and perhaps a bit of grudging respect. She chuckled suddenly. "Very well, but only because your reaction will amuse me greatly." With one swift movement she removed her helmet and tucked it underneath her arm. The elven woman before them possessed white hair that had been braided about her head in a crown of intricate design. Her silver eyes blazed brightly in the evening gloom. The single stripe markings from forehead to cheek bone were the color of kingsblood. Her pale, blue-purple skin almost glowed in the darkness. Gelles sucked in a surprised hiss. The Commander smiled.
"I am Allorna Lunastar, Commander of the Star Battalion." She paused, eyeing Xyra carefully before she continued, "Uncanny isn't it?" She stepped forward, moving so suddenly Xyra's body jerked, pulled from her immobility. The woman before her could be her twin it was such an uncanny resemblance. Xyra knew better, however. This woman was born way before Xyra herself had begun her life. No, this woman could only be one person to Xyra.
"Your mother...", Gelles murmured, her eyes still wide with shock. Gelles had seen Xyra's mother before, but only in repose at the end of a Burrow in the Moonglade while her spirit traveled the Emerald Dream.
With a start Xyra realized this must have been the critical time in her mother's life when she'd given up everything and chosen to follow the path of the Druids. A whisper of a thought curled at the back of Xyra's mind, but she wouldn't pay heed to it. Not yet, she didn't understand yet.
Allorna turned toward Gelles sharply, her pale brows furrowed, "Whose mother"
Gelles kept her gaze steady despite the fierceness of Allorna's stare. "I think you know, you said it yourself. It's uncanny"
Thoughtful now, Allorna shifted her softened gaze toward Xyra. She nodded slowly. "I was visited by the Bronze Flight, you know. They said one would be sent, one I held dear. At the time I thought they meant..." Her eyes darkened with a past sorrow. "But no, I can see now they meant one that I _would_ hold dear." Warmth touched her expression as Allorna regarded her daughter. Tears welled in Xyra's eyes, which she hastily blinked away. It had been a long time since she'd seen her mother moving and talking with such animation. In the Dream her mother talked and moved as if half asleep.
"Wait, the Bronze Flight spoke with you?" Gelles interrupted, putting up a hand to gain attention.
Clearing their throats almost unison, the mother and daughter turned to the new night elf. Allorna nodded, "Yes. I was one of the few that was sent to negotiate with them and they refused. I was pulled aside then and told that help would be coming. I held onto that and tried not to lose hope, but that was months ago." Her eyes hardened a bit, "I fear it may be too late for already the Bronze flight themselves have been attacked. If they can be attacked, then what hope can we possibly have against the Qiraji"
Nodding, Gelles said, "I can understand your sentiment, but if I remember my history correctly, then we will see a turning point soon"
Allorna's eyes widened, making Xyra think that a thousand years had done nothing to change her mother physically, but perhaps mentally had worn her down. This Allorna seemed to still possess youthful hope.
The gentle sound of a flute drifted in through the open doorway behind them. The three women listened, thoughts of the war seemed far away as the sweet melody caressed them like a gentle breeze. Several moments of silence were finally broken by Allorna as she cleared her throat again. "You two will need new armor and you'll be sharing a tent with the other troops. I'll name you as my personal retainers, however, so you'll have ready access to me if you have some information that will help me in some way"
The two friends nodded. It was easy to admire Allorna, she seemed to lead effortlessly. Her bearing reminded Xyra of the times her mother had taught her to fight, which was still far into the future and yet felt very far into the past for the rogue.
The rest of the evening was spent getting armor, plate for Gelles, leather for Xyra and the supplies they'd need to pitch a tent and bed down. They were given a place not far from Allorna's Command tent.
Just before she took her leave, Allorna paused near Xyra. The mother and daughter gazed at one another for a moment, then Allorna reached out and hugged her daughter-to-be fiercely. Xyra's hands gripped her mother's shoulders, her eyes clenched as if to hold back tears. They parted with a smile.