Chapter 7

Confrontations

Zeppora did not slow her step as she made her way past the Mages in the Tower. Stormwind was always bustling with activity these days. There were more Warlocks within the city on a daily bases thanks to the Slaughtered Lamb. So her presence was not questioned by anyone. Not that she would even consider showing her face around the hardcore radicals of her class.

Callidus came to her side having made the portal shortly after her. He looked down and asked, "So are we taking a ship across the Great Sea?"

"No." Zepporah stopped at the top of the gracefully curved ramp that twisted it's way around the Mage Tower. "That would take forever. I am going to hit a Mage portal to Dalaran and then jump to the Caverns of Time from there."

Callidus paled at her plan. "That is a lot of portals for us to take."

"Eh." Zepporah shrugged and started downward.

Callidus jumped and landed hard. Coming to his feet and tossing a healing spell over himself. Looking up at Zepporah. The Warlock staring over the edge with a disapproving shake of her head. "So do you have any idea where we are going to find a Mage willing to portal us?"

"If you could refrain from trying to harm yourself long enough for me to find him, then yes." Zepporah stepped to the lush green grass that graced the Mage Quarter. She had always assumed even the gardeners in this section of the city were magic in nature. How else could it always be so perfectly kept in color and cut?

"This from the one who cuts herself for power." Callidus reached up to tip his helm back to stare at her. The accusing look disclaiming her hypocrisy.

Zepporah's loud scoff brought him up short. "If that is all you think Life Tapping is, you are beyond clueless. Its not cutting, its transferring life essence for power. Everyone knows and accepts this as fact or the rest of the world would frown upon it as harshly as you do."

"It's self massacre any way you look at it."

"And jumping out of a tower, where there is a perfectly good ramp, just because you have the ability to rectify the damage isn't? You really need to reevaluate your perceptions, you self righteous Paladin." She let that one settle in for a moment before turning to make her way toward one of the lovely grass covered paths. "If I know Hinden, and I do, he will be reading tomes at his town house just up the road."

"You know an Archmage?"

"He is just a Mage at the moment, but a promising one. Before you get all worried about his portals, don't. He is very skilled, and even trained in Dalaran from the time he was a small child." Zepphorah was surprised that Callidus said very little as they made their way around the impressive section of the city. She had been expecting him to try and devalue Hinden's talents on lack of title alone, but that never happened.

The moment Zepporah raised her hand to knock at the door, Callidus moved to touch her shoulder. The attention directed entirely on him in that moment. "So how do you know him?"

Zepporah smiled bright at the bit of jealousy she saw in those blue eyes. "Hinden is dating a friend of mine."

"Happily?" Callidus could not stop himself from inquiring. Damn he did sound as if he was fishing for personal information. Still how could he be assured of Zepporah's safety when she was being so cryptic with her knowledge.

Zepporah's hand rapped hard on the carved wooden door before looking back at her paladin. "Not even close to happy. He doesn't even realize they are a couple, yet."

Before Callidus could reply the door was pulled hastily open. To move so fast the man must have blinked his way over. The dark black and purple robes hung around a rather large frame. Callidus was none to pleased to see that the man was not your standard issue Mage. He clearly did not spend all his time reading old tomes, like the one currently in his hand. He had the strong body of a fighter, and the approving look Zepporah dropped on it did not quell any of Callidus's anxieties. In fact there was an immediate, and very strong, sense of dislike for the man. Was Mezzgave rubbing off on him?

"Zepporah!" The dark eyes flecked with shifting orbs of green and gold settled on her. He opened his arms and pulled her to his expansive chest as if she was a mere doll. "It's been ages since I have seen you! How is Ironforge doing?"

"I no longer frequent the Dwarven home city. I have been in Outlands for a while now." Zepporah pulled back to stare up at him adoringly.

Hinden dropped his hold and snapped his book shut. "Outlands. Now that place brings back some foul memories for me."

"I am sure, but Hinden I am here to ask a favor of you?" Zepporah clasped her hands together and interlaced her fingers. The pretty face looking up.

"Portals?" Hinden sighed and tossed the book onto a table near the door. "It's always the portals. Of course I can do that for you."

"You are the best Mage ever!" She cast a quick glance over at Callidus, and saw the dark brooding look on his features. Oh that was to good to just give up. Then turning back she took Hinden's hand in her own. The other coming down to pat on it warmly. "But before I go, perhaps we can catch a drink at the Blue Recluse? It has been such a long time since I have seen you."

"Sure. I could use a break. Translating some of the Draconic runes that been carved into the hides of the corrupted Blue Flight, is taking forever." He moved out and closed the door behind him. An arm dropping casually over Zepporah's shoulder. "Shall it be tea or something harder?"

"The Lady will have tea. We are traveling soon." Callidus watched them pass as he growled from his forgotten position.

"Tea it is!" Hinden never actually looked at the Paladin as he addressed his friend. Dropping his head close until one could not see where her black hair started and his equally dark hair ended."So whose the tin can?"

"Oh, an Argent Paladin, Poppa Fordring has dumped on me." Zepporah taunted Callidus with her tone.

"The old man hasn't given up on you yet? He might be more stubborn then you are." Hinden picked up his pace almost dragging the Warlock along and creating distance between them and Callidus.

The two casters came to the Blue Recluse and Zepporah turned to face Callidus. "If you could wait out here. The Mage and I have much to discuss. I will collect you when I am done."

"How am I to watch you from out here?" Callidus stammered and moved a few steps forward. He could not believe she was merely dismissing him like this.

"It will not take long. One, maybe two, cups." Hinden dropped his attention on Callidus. "Do not worry. I am not one to sip my tea." With that the couple entered the building leaving the Paladin alone to his own devices.

Callidus turned to one of the outside tables. He threw himself down in the chair and felt the dark mood starting to over take him. He had been dismissed without thought like an old hunting hound. Splendid.

A little Gnome rushed past him to the door. Callidus turned in his chair to face her. Watching in silence as she went through the doorway and then backed out. Then in. Then out. Standing there for a moment before stomping one foot, and letting out the most frustrated groan Callidus had ever heard. He had to smile at the tiny little thing. She was adorable with large green eyes and a short cut to her raven hair. The daggers on her hips proclaiming her a Rogue.

"I hate her." The words were muttered low as she paced back past Callidus. "Stupid Humans, with their long legs and arms. Pretty oval faces that can look my Mage in the eye by merely raising their toes. I hate that too."

"Aww, come on, Gnomling." Callidus called over. "We aren't all bad."

She turned and clasped a hand over her mouth upset at having been heard. Turning back to see the glowing golden Paladin looking down at her.

"It's alright, I wont tell you nemesis a thing. Why are you so upset?" Callidus indicated the chair across from him.

"You have got to be kidding!" The Gnome walked over and for a moment Callidus worried she might stab him in the knee with her ominous looking dagger. "If I sit in that chair I wont even be able to see over the tabletop. Are you trying to mock me?"

"I apologize, sit on the table if you want. I don't mind and could use the company."

She hopped to the chair seat and then to the table. Leaning over to look under Callidus's helm. "If only you were better looking. Maybe you could have kept that Warlock away from my Mage!" Plopping down on her rear the large tears formed in her eyes but did not drop. "I have no luck."

"Excuse me?" Callidus felt as if she had actually struck him. He reached up and pulled off his helm and looked at her waiting for the typical reaction.

The Gnome stared at him and sighed, "Yeah, no comparison. My Hinden is all dark dangerous and yummy. You don't have a chance, just like me. We are totally out gunned here. Maybe I should just go throw myself in the canal and be done with it all."

"Who are you?" Callidus bristled at the Gnomes open dismissal of his looks. It had happened before, but it was rare enough to peak his interest.

"I'm known as Misnomer. My friends called me Misn." The Gnome sighed and looked far across the courtyard.

"Well, Misn you seem to know this Hinden pretty well. Can you tell me how he knows Lady Hopemender?" Callidus crossed his arms and leaned forward.

"I said only my friends call me Misn." The Gnome glared up at him. "And if you are looking for information on Hinden, you are talking to the wrong Rogue, because I wont tell you a thing."

"Well then, I see your personalty is as toxic as your daggers." Callidus leaned back and narrowed his eyes on her.

"Care to find out!" Misn jumped to her feet and put a hand on her weapons.

"Misn?" The sound of Hinden's voice broke into the tension.

Callidus and Misn turned to see Zepporah and Hinden standing at the door. The little Gnome going bright red in her embarrassment.

Zepporah gasped seeing the Rogue and rushed over to scoop her up and snuggle her close. "Oh Misn! It's been so long since I have seen you. How have you been?"

"I do better with my feet on the ground. Thank you very much." Misn choked out, and was instantly set down.

"I am just portaling these two to Dalaran, Misn." Hinden sighed and placed his hands on his hips. "Were you watching my townhouse again?"

"The Mage Tower and their Archmages have told me to make sure you stay safe while doing your research. I have no idea when you are going to want to skip off to some far off location!" Misn gave him the saddest look anyone had ever seen.

"Fine. I get it." Hinden turned and looked at Zepporah. "Are you ready to depart?"

"Yes. That would be lovely." Zepporah looked over at Misn. "Next time I am in Stormwind we will have to catch up."

"Sure. Great!" Misn smiled and waved at the Warlock. Happy to see her off and far away from Hinden.

Callidus came to his feet and reached down to scoop up his helm. Just what he always wanted, more portals. Once on the other side he looked at Zepporah waiting for him just down the stairs in Dalaran. "So what did you two discuss that took such little time?"

"The same two things we always talk about." She turned away.

"And they are?"

"Are you prying?"

Callidus grabbed her by the arm. "I am trying to protect you, Zepporah. After what happened today you can at least give me some straight answers."

"Hinden works for my mentor. We talk about Crimson and her activities. He keeps track of any possible Dreisirus rumors for me as well. So I had to give him the information about Shattrath." Zepporah did her best to avert her eyes.

"Dreisirus?" Callidus unintentionally tightened his hold on Zepporah's arms. "You think the Dread Lord is the demon that killed the Blood Elf woman?"

Zepporah looked down and nodded. "I don't think it was him. I know it was."

Callidus was stupefied. He remained silent for a long moment before he spoke. "You knew Dreisirus was in Shattrath and you had us leave with out confronting him? Why Zepporah? We could have called on the guards of the city and overwhelmed him!"

"You are insane." She lifted her head at his words and stared into his eyes. "Do you have any idea how such a plan would turn out? Because I do! It would have been a blood bath."

"I suspect there would have been some loss of life, but Zepporah there is a Naaru in Shattrath! It was a good chance to kill him once and for all!" Callidus dropped her arms. "By the Light, I can not believe you allowed us to miss this opportunity."

"Dread Lords can be killed, and the Naaru would have certainly aided us in the battle, but then what?" Zepporah argued.

"Then what? What more could there be?" Callidus stared at her.

"He would just reform in the Twisted Nether and return. I would have no idea when or where. I would spend my life looking and waiting for him. I might even grow lax and open myself up to more torment. I have been studying Dreisirus and his kind since I was a small child, Callidus. I know how to handle this best." She threw her arms in the air.

"So you ran like a coward." Callidus snarled in her face."What good is that going to do his next victim. It's like you don't even care that some one died."

"Yes! I ran. It's the only thing I can do now with my foe so much greater then I am. Remember what happened to the last Paladin that thought he could rush into battle with Dreisirus before you lecture me!" She was panting hard in her anger. Furious that Callidus was so ignorant of their enemy.

"So you plan to use the tactic of, to defeat one's enemy you must become the enemy, Zepporah?" Callidus said in a calm voice the belied the look on his face.

She nodded slowly a little unnerved by her outburst and his reaction to it. "Yes."

"Then you had better consider just how far you are going to go before you actually become my enemy." Callidus's tone was more serious then she had ever heard from him before. There was no simple threat in those words. If she crossed the line, became the evil she sought to destroy, he would end her with no questions asked.

Zepporah's Journal

Well Book,

I've got a backup plan. Sort of. We went to visit Hinden for some portals. I adore that mage. I love his hugs. Adore. So much. I keep thinking, if my parents were alive and I had a brother, I hope he'd be like him. Poor Misn, no luck that girl.

Callidus seemed a little jealous, but whatever. (Actually, Yes! Turnabout is fair play, right?) Too bad it was over Hinden. Even if he was game to really tweak the paladin, Misn would destroy me.

Speaking of destruction, that's my insurance. The paladin promised me that if I ever became as evil as my target he'd end me. I could have kissed him. He was way too angry or I would have thanked him. It's a relief. I don't want to end up like my mother.

It's scary, he takes my fears away. Scary because being dependent on him or even liking him has thus far proven very deadly. I'm tired of hurting people. I'm tired of hurting.

I want a hug. I know better than to ask, so I'll summon Mezz. He understands.

Until the next,
Zep, doombringer. Haha.

PS: Mezz can swat at Callidus to cheer me up. The jerk.

Author Note: Ask and you shall receive!