Chapter 6

Never Safe

Callidus smiled over at the waitress who brought out his order. What choice did he have? If she leaned any closer she would be on his lap.

"I can't eat all of this." Zepporah ignored her companion and looked down at the food set before her. "The portions look like they were meant to feed an Ogre."

The Blood Elf waitress lifted her head and smiled. "We want to make sure all our customers leave satisfied, and some of them are Ogres, Sweety." Then she set her hand to trail over Callidus's helm. "Is there anything else I can get for you?"

Zepporah rolled her eyes and lifted her fork. Better to pay attention to her food then the smitten Blood Elf.

Callidus looked over his meal and shook his head. "Looks good to me, but if I need anything, you will be the first I let know."

"You had better." She winked and walked back across the room. The sway of her hips was not subtle in anyway, nor was the longing look she tossed him over her shoulder.

Zepporah watched her go and sighed. She looked over at Callidus stuffing food in his mouth like he hadn't eaten in days. "She seems nice. We should leave her a large tip."

Callidus didn't look up. He merely nodded in a agreement. The blue eyes fixated on the plate.

So much for polite, and by that Zepporah meant catty, conversation. "You know, I was thinking that since we are in Shattrath, we should go shopping."

That statement was followed by a low growl from the Paladin. Callidus swallowed hard and slowly looked up at Zepporah. A snarl fixed on his lips.

"Stop that." She laughed and waved a hand at him. "It's not like I plan on buying anything from the merchants. I make all my own clothing and accessories," She looked down at her robe and blushed, "Or pull them out of dungeons. But even then I alter them slightly."

"I'm a body guard, Zeppy. I am not a maid, or your gay best friend to skip around Shattrath holding your hand and gushing over fashion or pretty babbles." Callidus jabbed a fork in her direction. Part of what he said was a flat out lie. Truth was Callidus was a very skilled jewel crafter, and would love to see many of the intricate designs being made here in Outlands. But he was never going to tell Lady Hopemender that.

"Please?" The green eyes batted in his direction. "Just for an hour or so?"

"No." Callidus stabbed a huge piece of meat and shoved it in his mouth.

Zepporah raised an eyebrow at him. Then set her elbows on the table, so she could rest her chin in her palms. "I am not sure if I can convince your or not, Sir Tenebrie. It's not fair that you can see the whole of my face, but keep yours so well hidden under that helm."

"I like my helm. It protects my face from angry birdmen."

"True, but we are sitting in a nice little restaurant in Shattrath now. Surely you can take it off here." Zepporah gave him a sweet smile. "Besides it's bad manners to have it on indoors."

"I was the one who wanted to eat out on the patio." Callidus set his fork down. He was not happy to realize she was right.

Zepporah merely stared at him for a long moment as he stared back. Then she said simply, "Take it off."

"It won't be good." Callidus frowned. He knew how women reacted when he had it on. He also knew how they over reacted when he had it off.

"I will be the judge of that." Zepporah kept her eyes pinned on him.

Callidus reached up and pulled his helm off. Setting it aside and then tossed the messy golden locks before running his hands through it. A simple attempt at styling it out of his eyes and away from his food. Then he waited for her reaction. The brilliant blue of his eyes no longer hooded under the helm connected with hes.

The lime green eyes widened in shock and blinked. "I see, truly, now. Yes, you are most definitely trouble."

"Trouble? Really that is what you come up with?" Callidus lifted his fork and turned his attention to his food again. "Although I find it a relief that you didn't melt under the table for me."

Zepporah shrugged. "Beyond taking off your helm, you haven't done anything at this table to warrant melting. "

"Now that is very sensible of you, Zeppy. I do like that about you. Not like Lady Hot for tips over there." Callidus turned his eyes to their waitress.

Catching the waitress looking over at him, Callidus inclined his head and winked. The woman's mouth went to a smile as her eyes lite up. She wasted no time moving over to the table.

"Sir Paladin, did you need anything?" She never even tossed a look at Zepporah.

Callidus leaned back in his seat and looked up at her. "I know it's a bit presumptuous of me, but what are you doing this evening?"

The squeak of delight came as the woman closed her hands to her chest. "I am free as soon as I get off work. That would be around six."

"Six is good, I think. We should be finished with our errands in Shattrath, right Lady Hopemender?" Callidus reached down and popped a grape in his mouth. Giving Zepporah a instigating grin.

Zepporah remained passive in her features, but those feminine eyes flashed, until they almost glowed a fel green. "We? Do not include me in your nocturnal pursuits. Sir Tenebrie. You can escort me to my chambers and enjoy your free time as you wish. I'll behave myself in my rooms.""

"Splendid! I would never think of dragging a woman of your importance all over a city like Shattrath after dark. It's not as orderly as Stormwind at any rate. I hear the Lower City can be rough even during the day light hours." Callidus looked to the Blood Elf. He reached out to take her hand in his and gave it a warm pat. "Then it's a date."

The waitress nodded and held her tray close to her chest. Turning on her heel she rushed directly to her friends. Their excited looks over at Callidus followed by low chatter.

"I botched that. I was going for melting, but I fear I left them more on the burning side." Callidus tossed Zepporah a look of pure smug male satisfaction. "Did you mean what you said? You really will be alright once I get you to the rooms at the inn?"

Oh yes. I have some projects I need to do, we can buy the materials here. Also, if I need anything, I have Mezz." Zepporah restrained the urge to kick her Paladin under the table.

Callidus groaned at the mention of the void walker. Crossing his plate covered arms on the table,. He leaned forward and looked up into her eyes. Then in an almost scolding tone said, "Perhaps you can teach him some manners while you have him there. Being swung at the entire trek here and hearing dislike hissed at me every few feet was getting really old."

She shrugged almost casually. "It's been so long since he's had that much fun though. We all deserve a treat now and then."

It was a snort of indignation as Callidus stood up to tower over her. He pulled out the coin for the meal and turned it over in his fingers as if in deep thought. Dropping it on the table he looked to the door. "At any rate, let's get that shopping done. If I get lucky, I can have you tucked in with your squishy demon of the void, in time to get a nice shower. I will probably be needing one in the Blood Elf's company."

"Yes, you'll probably need two." Zepporah considered being obstinate and insisting on finishing her meal. But she was not hungry anymore, and the idea of keeping Callidus under their little waitress's adoring stare was making her sick.

"Zeppy, are you upset? Because if you don't want me to go, I can always tell her something came up. I am here for your service, not to have a good time." Callidus caught the nastiness hinted in her tone.

"No, no. Not upset. I'm fine. Really. Lets go." She came to her feet and twirled in her robes. The fine fit of them flattering her form. Moving out the door she was greeted by a runner.

The man looking directly at her and asking. "Lady Zepporah Hopemender, I presume? I was told that you would be here by a Warlock called Crimson. She bids you good day and regrets that she could not greet you formally."

"How does she always know where I am, before I even know I am going there?" Zepporah put her hand out knowing there would be a missive from her Mentor.

"I was not told any more then to give you the letter, Lady Hopemender." The man handed the small note over.

Zepporah opened the letter and narrowed her eyes.

"Bad news?" Callidus tried tolook over her shoulder.

Zepporah shook her head, and crumpled the letter. "It's nothing, but more ridiculous orders from my blessed mentor." Stuffing the letter into her pack with every intention of ignoring it.

Callidus shook his head at her. His memory of Crimson was actually rather pleasant. He had no clue why Zepporah had taken such a dislike to the other Warlock.

Now that Crimson and her letter had been completely dismissed, Zepporah was ready to move on."I need to find some gemstones for a dress. I have a design in mind that will require plenty of them."

Gems?" Callidus hid his excitement. Trying to look as bored as possible before saying, "Is there a cut or color preference? I know a reputable dealer that would give you a much finer cut then you could get down here. Plus, I know many of these types of merchants sell low grade for high prices. I advise against actually purchasing anything."

Zepporah turned to look at him with some what of an over whelming shock. How could he know so much about gems? Then it hit her. Women. He was probably the kind of man who would buy all his women some sort of pretty trinket to impress her. That or trying to simper to her good graces for forgiveness. What had she been expecting? All one had to do was to look at him and know where he stood with the fairer sex. She did not need displays like the little Blood Elf to know that. Zepporah's eyes were more then green as she thought about it. She actually felt a little green with jealousy. He was a Paladin after all. So righteous and noble, far out of the reach of her dark Warlock circle. "Green, and I haven't decided, I just know I need green gems, I haven't finished the design yet. It's more of a search and study moment."

"Don't commit to anything with out referencing me first." Callidus led her out the door. Turning to look around the streets of Shattrath. "Left or right? Don't think of going down to the Lower City just yet. After the day we have had who needs that sort of trouble."

"The best tailoring merchants are in Lower City, Sir Tenebrie. But you're right, I need to do a quick research." A smile moved over her face just thinking about her desired destination. "Scryer's Library."

"Scryers? You are a Scryer." Callidus looked contemplative and stood still a s stone for a long moment.

Zepporah automatic assumed he was an Aldor. Awww, the poor baby would not be able to follow her to the Scryers tier after all. HA! "Yes, Their trainers and library have been more accessible to me than the lot up on the Aldor tier. I like being welcomed, Warlock that I am."

"They do take just about anyone. We have sent a few members of the Crusade's previous members on either side. I was just wondering if Jenna Sunbinder is still with the Scryers of Shattrath. We didn't part on very good terms." Callidus said off hand, then muttered low "Psycho stalker girl. Wonder if she meant what she said about neutering me..."

Zepporah laugh at what she caught of his self musings. Reaching out to pat his arm. "Jenna's a sweetheart. But don't worry, if need be, Mezz will protect you." She knew it was naughty to taunt him with the Void walker, knowing his dislike of it. Although the idea of neutering him would both solve and cause her problems in the long run. She would consider it more closely. A slow smile coming to her lips.

Callidus wasn't taking any chances. Leading her toward the Lower City tailors, despite his earlier opposition to the idea. "We clearly do not know the same Jenna! Red hair, ivory skin, nasty sucker punch?"

Zepporah was not lost on the fact he was guiding her to the Lower City. A bit of a smile on her lips as she halted her steps to look up at him. "I know nothing about a sucker punch, but yes, the Jenna I know has the loveliest red hair. What did you do to anger her? Wait." An exasperated roll of her eyes away from him. If it was anything like their little waitress, Zepporah would not be surprised. "Do not tell me, I don't want the details."

"It wasn't my fault!" Callidus implored her. "I was ordered into guard duty that day, due to scourge activity. Maleeka wasn't my choice of partners on the wall or in my bedroll. I hardly knew either of them, and the next thing I knew it was a Blood Elf verses Draenai free for all in the tavern right there on the Tournament grounds. Thank the Light for the Human Rogue who rescued me. Now," A far away looked crossed his features that invited a silly smile. "that is one you don't want details on." Callidus moved forward a bit and then stopped on the ramp. He cocked his head and looked over at Zepporah "Wait, you thought she hit me?

"Oh, I'm thinking about it right now. I did not want details. Nooo details." She would do just about anything to divert the path of conversation at that point. "Oh look, the trinket troll. Come on, I want to see what weird things he has this time."

"Grifta?" Callidus scanned the merchants. Seeing the Troll, the Paladin paled a bit. "Heck no. Last time I talked to him, he tried to get me to help him sell some amulet for potent passion. Said if I carried it around, he would get a return on his investment. What do you assume he meant by that?"

A delighted giggle escaped Zepporah, because she knew exactly what Grifta had been hoping for. "He's a smart Troll." Then considering it more carefully, she sighed. "Could have made serious bank with that rook.

"Look cloth!" Callidus pointed over to the rolls of material. "This one looks nice." He held up the impressive red bolt toward Zepporah. "This one would look good on you." A sultry smile, as he leaned closer to whisper into her ear. "I'm warning you, Don't buy it."

"Of course I have no intention of buying it. I have so many bolts of reds. It is my favorite color." She ran a hand over it testing the texture.

"What about this green here?" Callidus turned to the sample flapping on the line behind them.

"It's the color of Orc mucus." Zepporah wrinkled her nose at the shade.

Callidus tossed her an annoyed look. "It would be safer then the reds. Which you should burn for safety sake."

"It has taken me years to collect the very best reds. I will not be burning them." Zepporah snapped back. Then pointing to the green. "You are the one will pour judgment in selecting something that looks like an irradiated slime pool."

"That is not a very nice thing to say. What kind of vile substances have you been exposed to for this to be your opinion of the color?" Callidus blinked at her as he set the red bolt down and looked at the green sample. Then shook his head hard. "Never mind. Don't tell me. Being so strong with the Light I am rarely if ever sick. I admit, being able to cleanse oneself does come in useful.

"I'm an Affliction Warlock, I cause them to be ill, and that Orc was getting too grabby."

Callidus had a quick answer, but his words started to fade as a wave of darkness filtered through. It was like ripples on a black pond. A familiar sensation she has come to know and dread. The color fading out of her face as she turned around searching wildly for something or some one to be causing the turbulent emotions.

Callidus looked over at Zepporah. "You don't look so good. Are you feeling ill?"

Zepporah was unable to answer him. A hand shooting out like a claw to hold on to his arm. She tried to speak but the words would not come. The world was awash in slowly darkening shades of gray as her mind focused in on the source. The vision came up unbidden and unwanted.

The Blood Elf waitress pulled the door close behind her, as she entered the little changing room in the back of their restaurant. She pulled off her apron and set it aside. She had a wonderful feeling about tonight. The Paladin had been tempting from the first moment he walked in. Initially she had turned on her charm in hopes of a larger tip. Then he took off the helm. By the Sunwell, that body was to perfectly molded to deserve a face like his. Not that she was opposed to his golden hair either.

Then he had asked her out. No way she was saying no to that one. Even at the last minute to prepare for such an event. She had begged her boss and gotten him to let her off work early. It would make it possible for her to rush home and change. Wanting to look her best for the man. Lifting her purse she turned to see one of the few things that would stop her at this point.

A Dread Lord's dark chuckle could have frozen the heart of anyone who heard it. The woman turned around and tried to scream instantly. There was no hope for it as magic flowed around her being and slammed her forceably off the wall twice before allowing her to crumple on the floor.

"You will not interfere little one." Dreisirus looked down at the Blood Elf shivering away from him.

"Interfere with what?" She implored. Trying to pull as far from the demon.

"The Paladin. He taunts me with his light, but foremost is the Lady Hopemender." Dreisirus lifted his hand channeling away the Blood Elf's innate arcane magic. "Your misstep will cost you much. First I will take your magic. Since I know how much your kind suffers without it."

It didn't hurt like a physical pain to loose ones magic. It was like descending hollowness that seeped into her bones. "I don't understand. Stop! Please Stop!"

"Lady Hopemender is holding her Paladin at arms length for the moment, but soon she will become attached to him." Dreisirus informed terrified woman. "Only then will taking him from her cause the most damage to the purity of her spirit. You were going to get in the way of that affection if left to your own devices. So I intend to stop you, little Blood Elf."

The last of her magic ebbed away, the waitress looked up from the floor. She shook her head in a weakened state. "Then I will not go near him again. I swear, just go away."

"That might work, but this is farm more entertaining to me. What should I take next? Yes, your vanity is your looks. How about I take that along with your youth." The next spell channeled as the Dread Lord's black eyes sparkled with glee. To torment the mortals was a delicacy he rarely allowed himself while carrying out the Hopemender's curse. Now that he was in the position to do so, he relished it.

The Blood Elf was innocent. She had done nothing besides accept a man's offer of a casual date. For this she was dying in the most inhumane of ways that the Dread Lord could give. "Please, just let me live." The tears fell down her slowly aging face.

"No. I plan to take your soul, and then I will feast on it while you watch with dying eyes." Dreisirus knelt down and lifted her now white hair. It slipped through his fingers as he looked to her face. "Still you can know that your death is far better then the slow one Hopemender will endure. She will live a lifetime of suffering and pain before I allow her end, and even as she dies, I will continue my vengeance against her line. None shall escape me."

The woman screamed and screamed in her agony, because even as short lived as it was, there was so much lost in her young life as it was snuffed out.

There had been no sound to Zepporah's ears, but she had seen it all. It was not the first time she had watched Dreisirus murder someone, it would not be the last. Each time branding her soul with pain and guilt because she knew why they died. In someway they had encountered her, and enraged him!

If only she was coming back from a nightmare, but Zepporah knew what she had seen was as real as Callidus kneeling on the ground holding her up.

"Zeppy? Look at me." Callidus held her arms and gave a light shake. He was more then slightly concerned as to what was happening with his charge. He had tried cleansing and purifying her, but it proved to be no use. Whatever was wrong with her was not something he could fix through traditional means. That had left his own heart hammering with fear in his chest, but to show that to Zepporah would only upset her more. "Speak Common, Zep. Mezzgrave isn't here to appreciate the demonic chanting."

The demonic speech continued. "No. Please, now. Just let me go." The tears flowing. How she wished she had not witnessed that. She was glad she could not hear what Dreisirus had said. It was terrible enough what she imagined he had told that poor woman in her last moments. To know how cruel he was, it was worse then her mind could comprehend. Turning her face into Callidus's chest she wept harder.

"What again? Zeppy, now don't do that. You are safe here with me." Callidus ran his hand over her head, and pulling her against his chest and rocking her softly. The fear and disparity was something he had seen in combat. There was nothing he could say. He knew that harsh truth first hand. All one could do was hold strong and offer their support.

Zepporah kept her eyes open. She could not close them for fear she would move into another vision of death and darkness. Zepporah knew deep down that she had to pull herself together. To rise from her place of self pity and go to the Tavern. She had to see if the vision was real, to know if Dreisirus was really this close. The mere idea he was in Shattrath with her, caused her to trembled with renewed fear.

"We have to go back to the Tavern, Callidus. There is something I must confirm." Zepporah pulled back and struggled to her feet. She wavered on them. Every fiber of her being that dreamed of self preservation screamed for her to flee. To leave Shattrath and never return.

Callidus put his hand out to steady her. "Lady Hopemender. I worry you may have become ill. We should get you to your rooms. I want you to lay down while I summon a priest to attend you."

"There is no time for that." Zepporah shouted at him. The sweet face twisting with rage.

Callidus did not drop her arm, but he did lean back giving her a wary look.

Zepporah held back tears. "I am sorry. I did not mean to do that. Control. I must maintain... control."

"I will take you to the Tavern. Then will you rest?"

Zepporah closed her eyes and shook her head. "If my suspicions are true, I will not be sleeping tonight."

They did not get very close before they saw the guards swarming around the building. Callidus going still next to Zepporah. She placed a hand to her stomach. The sinking feeling as her worst fear was proven true.

Callidus moved in through the crowd that was gathering. "What has happened here?"

"Demon attacked and killed a woman in the back rooms, Sir Paladin." The guard looked over Callidus with relief. "If we could detain you for a moment to look over the scene? It will be a while until our Holy Light division will be here. It will not be safe until someone like you clears the scene."

"Certainly." Callidus looked back at Zepporah. "Stay right here. It will not take long to confirm or deny if it was demonic in nature."

Of course, they would not asked the Warlock to check. Zepporah could have kicked herself at that thought. She did not want to see. She did not have too.

"Wait!" A guard come up behind Zepporah and grabbed her arm. "You are a Warlock! Were you the one traveling with the Paladin?"

"I am. Yes, that is true, Mr. Guard, sir." Zepporah tried to pull her arm out of his bruising grip.

"So you ate here today, and a waitress caught the attention of your companion over yourself?"

Zepporah saw instantly where this was going. "He is my body gaurd!"

"A Paladin guarding a Warlock?" The man laughed, and dragged Zepporah to the doorway. "We will see about that. Once we get a positive identification on you, I think we will know who summoned the demon on that poor woman. You will pay for your crimes."

"My crimes?" Zepporah choked out.

"I demand you let go of the Lady Hopmender this instant!" Callidus came through the main room in a thundering charge. He grabbed the guard's hand and twisted it away. Although he did not let go as he bore the other man backwards.

"She is a Warlock. I have confirmation that she was here earlier. It is most likely she was the cause of the attack." The man cried out between pained gasps.

"Yes she was." Callidus tossed the man back. "She was with me. I am Callidus Tenebrie of the Argent Crusade, under direct orders from the High Lord Tirion Fordring to watch over and protect the daughter of the late Lord Hopemender!"

"Hopemender?" The whispers ripped through the crowd as all eyes started to turn toward Zepporah.

Zepporah felt her eyes grow wide as her cover was completely blown by the Paladin sent to protect it.

"The Lady Hopemender?" The guards in the room all turned and saluted toward her.

The guard who had dragged her into the room dropped to his knees. "Lady! I did not know. Please forgive me for my brash actions toward you and your Paladin guard. I never dreamed that you would grace this part of the city with your presence."

Zepporah did not answer. She hated this most of all. Being hated for being a Warlock was bad enough, but being adored for what her father was? That crushed her still beating heart. Lifting her robes just over her heels, she rushed from the Tavern.

Callidus pushed past the Guardsmen and raced after her. "Zepporah!"

She shook her head and said, "They know I am innocent, but they won't truly believe it. I won't stay here a moment longer."

Seeing how distressed she was, Callidus could not argue the point. Knowing that there was some connection to her and the poor Blood Elf's demise. He did not dare ask what. "Then where do we go? Honor Hold?"

"Tanaris. Durnholde ."

Callidus blinked at her. Rearing back his head as he blinked again. "Are you MAD? Do you realize how FAR away that is from here? It will take..." He tried to count. The fingers on his hands clicking rapidly. Then threw them up. "DAYS to get there."

"Then we'd best start now." Zepporah pulled her pack up higher on her back with determination. "We'll hit the portals."

"Light, damn it! I hate portals. They are unnatural magic." Callidus rolled his eyes at the amount of travel they were in for. It was clear Zepporah wanted to get as far away from Shattrath and Outlands as she could, and quickly.

Zepporah was not in the mood for his innuendos. Stomping her foot down hard on his, for all the good it did with slippers on plate boots. "All magic that isn't from the Light is unnatural to you, Paladin. You'll survive."

"I could debate that with you, but you are clearly not in the mood." Callidus waved is finger under her nose. Then stepped up intending to use his manly prowess to get her to change her mind. Sliding a warm arm around her. "If you give me one good reason why you want to go visit the Time hopping Dragons of Tanaris, I'll go without a further complaint."

Zepporah already had her plan of attack ready. Callidus had so easily stepped into her trap."Poppa's there. You can see him before I turned his hair white, and because I'm going, with or without you."

"I thought that letter upset you?" Callidus dropped his hold after being reminded just who she was and where the connections lay.

She cocked up one eyebrow. The resolve in her eyes unbending.

"Fine. Let's get to Stormwind."

Zepporah's Journal

Book: It happened again. It was bound to. I lost control. I shouldn't have. I didn't mean to. Maybe if I didn't show interest and didn't feel any emotion it wouldn't happen. I was annoyed and I should have stayed detached.

I was annoyed. Ok, ok, ok. I was annoyed and jealous. And for a moment I wished I was her. Stupid stupid stupid.

He's trouble. e. I think I know why Poppa picked him. ugh. Yes, of all his overly talented Light bearing paladins, this one. Yeah.. Thaaanks. Trouble.

Did he really think I was going to swoon when he took his helm off? I'd been steeling myself for the reveal for a while. Also, if I had less control it wouldn't have been a puddle of Zepp under the table. I would have crawled to his side, peeled off the rest of his plate and had a taste. But at least, when I do have control for useless things, it works.

And because I wanted, it happened again.

Also, what's, why, I, what's his problem with red? I refuse to burn my reds. I LOVE my reds. And after that whole rant about not shopping with me, I now have to go through him about my purchases? He's such a JERK. And I want a bite.

Sorry if my writing is messy, we're on our way to the dragons of Tanaris. Crimson's orders win again. I've never seen her, but how does she do it? At least, hopefully, the dragons will be less inclined to be stupid over my family or my abilities. I'm done with that city. I'm also really, really tired.

It will happen again, I know it, but I've got to figure out how to stop it. No one deserves what I bring.

Maybe seeing Poppa will bring me a better mood. Ha. Poppa without white hair. That'll be fun.

Good luck Book. We need it.