DISCLAIMER - World of Warcraft and a bunch of other stuff I pay to play for belong to Blizzard Entertainment. This was written to have some fun, make my brain work and enjoy an aspect of WoW I like a lot - Roleplaying. Sapphiro and Dawnqui belong to me at least and Amberlin belongs to a dear friend of mine who I'm borrowing. Amber and Dawn are a bit inseparable anyway.

56. Danger Ahead | Sapphiro, Dawnqui, and Amberlin | T for Teen for language | Italics are for past conversations |

High in the lofty apartments of Silvermoon, above the hustle and bustle of city life and away from prying eyes, one of the city's oddest occupants paced nervously in his living room. The Troll, ice blue skinned and lanky with broken tusks and flame red hair, was worried for the first time in years. He was an old soul, a very old soul who had gotten a second chance. Well, he mused looking around his home full of trinkets, trophies and wealth, really a third chance. He sighed, a puff of cold steam clouding the air, even though it was mid summer. He was always cool to the touch, a calm and relaxed fellow but there were things the Shaman was passionate about. First and foremost when he had arrived in the Eastern Kingdoms, was killing Scourge. His Argent Dawn tabard hung prominently on a wall display, the first thing anyone saw when they entered his home. The second thing he loved was treasure- the beautiful shiny things in life. He'd chosen this city for its beauty, his home was full of treasures and gains and even his own hand crafted jewelry. He'd made a lot of money with his creations when the Elves first opened their doors to the Horde and it showed in his finery. The last, and most important, were his 'numbah one shinies'.

In another time, in long distant memories he recalled icy caverns full of gems and jewels and gold. He remembered his very visage frightened any lesser being and even among his kind he was formidable. And he remembered, when the treasure wasn't so large nor was he, the sound of little whelp claws and wings filling his cavern he shared.

Long since past sharing his space he'd found him self with quite the pair of whelplings. It helped, he thanked the spirits, that Trolls called their kin Whelps too.

His long ears picked up the sound of one of the doors in his home opening and the occupant of the room finally coming out. She was a stubborn one, his first. So full of spunk and fire that it could put any Dragon to shame. He turned to look at her as she entered the main living room, her bow and axe slung on her back, her armor polished and maintained well. She was a beauty. Her hair was a lovely shade of auburn, pulled into a high tail to keep out of the way of her bow. Her skin was unmarred as of yet, soft and pretty. She had a lovely figure, the epitome of what he considered beautiful – grace, beauty and power - all wrapped up in leather armor. He stopped his pacing and smiled. Coiled around her hips and resting up around her shoulder was her pet, Flutter, a white wind serpent from the Barrens. That had been her first real test, going out alone to tame a creature she desired and returning home. Now it was time to send her back out into the world with a new responsibility.

The huntress knelt, bowing her head even though she had a broad smile on her lips. She ever so did love her master.

"Master Sapphiro. I'm ready." She said eyes lowered even though she knew she didn't need to. He'd saved her life, given her a name, a path, a loving family. She'd do anything for him. The troll crossed the room, crouching down and putting a hand under her chin, making her look up. His tusks were short, bound in gold wire. Simple white face paint colored stripes and marks across his skin and even though his eyes were the color of blood they held only kindness and pride for his huntress.

"Amberlin… me numbah one shiny. Ya make dis ol' soul proud." He tapped her shoulder as he stood, indicating she could do the same. "I be knowin ya dun like dis task I be givin ya much, but it be fer da best. Da world out der be hard on a person. An no one kin go it alone ferevah. Ya be needin anotha set a eyes an anotha mind dat kin see and tink differently den ya. I know ya won't be disappointin me."

Amberlin kept her expression neutral as she could. She had only been home a few weeks after going out into the Barrens, her master's homeland, and was now being sent away. What was worse… she was being sent to go watch someone who she felt had taken her place. She'd returned to Silvermoon to find not her master but some oaf blood elf tending his garden. He was so absorbed in his studies she'd practically walked up on him and could have killed him and he would have been none the wiser. Before she'd escorted him to Silvermoon he'd managed to spill potions on her clothing, burn her food, be a general nuisance and was a total idiot! The worse part of it though… was Sapphiro scolded her for frightening the skittish boy.

"I won't let you down Master." She said, bowing her head again. "I should get going. We're supposed to be in Tranquellen before sundown."

"I know ya kin do it. Ya give dem Scourge hell ya hear." He said grinning. He opened his arms and she fell into them, enveloped in a powerful hug that made her heart melt and feel secure all at once. It lasted a long while before reluctantly she pulled away and moved to the door. "Just remembah ta be careful in da Row and when ya get der ask a trainer for me boy."

"Yes Master… I'll write you." She said smiling a bit before going out the door, closing it firmly behind her.

The walk from the upper apartments down to the main drag of the Walk of Elders wasn't long and it gave her a moment to calm down. She hated keeping secrets from Sapphiro, even if he did it all the time. Days earlier she'd been alone at home while Sapphiro had been out visiting the auction house. Someone came to call, looking for her. The priestess had frightened her; half of what she had to say made no sense. All she knew for sure was she had access to her master's home and was rude as hell.

"Now listen here girl. I am only saying this once. For your beloved master's sake you will do as you are told. You will watch out for that insipid weakling he dragged from the depths of Shadowfang Keep. You will ensure he comes to no harm or it would hurt your master's heart. But I warn you… get any closer than absolutely necessary to the boy and you and your master will suffer. Do you understand?! Why that over grown lizard insisted on bringing that air headed oversized mana battery here I'll never know but if he causes trouble for me and my plans I will see he suffers in full view of your precious master. Fail me and nothing you hold dear will be safe. No one… especially not you dear child… will mess up my plans."

Flutter hissed in her ear as they passed into the Murder Row district, her coils tightening in a comforting gesture. She had to keep her mind in the now, this was a dangerous part of town. Home of the Rogues, Warlocks and other seedy denizens of the city they wouldn't hesitate to eat up one of the Farstrider's precious little Hunters in training. She walked with confidence, head held high, down the center of the street towards the Warlock's sanctum. Maybe it was with more than just confidence too that kept those who lurked in the shadows where they were. She had this… aura of authority and power around her, even for one so young. She moved like she owned the ground she walked on and would fight for every inch of it if she had to. So she walked in the center of the street as calmly and as authoritative as any high magister of the city – above and beyond the lower people of Silvermoon society. She paid none of them mind, even if she felt their eyes on her as she passed. She passed through the curtains of her destination quickly, the thick fabric closing behind her.

She'd been here only once, and only as far as the door outside. There wasn't much on the first floor, only a small terrace and a ramp leading downwards. Standing at the top of the ramp was a bored looking Succubus. Upon seeing the huntress she smiled, fangs glittering in the crystal lamps and sashayed over.

"Hello doll…. What can we do for you?" the demon purred, reaching out to touch Amberlin's cheek. Flutter struck out with lightning speed, fangs sinking into the demon's hand. The succubus cried out in a mix of shock, pain and pleasure before pulling it back. "All right…mmmm… look and don't touch I get it."

Amberlin glared. "I'm here to pick up Dawnqui Frostwyrm. We're expected in Tranquellen by nightfall." She said in clipped words, glaring and fully annoyed at the delay. The succubus pouted at her.

"Please wait here I'll send him up." She turned, her tail curling and twisting behind her. "You have to understand we don't really welcome outsiders into the inner sanctum." She added as she walked down the ramp and out of sight.

Amberlin crossed her arms over her chest, one foot tapping in annoyance already. This was why she didn't want to do this in the first place. The spell casters of her race were so secretive and so uppity… she tried not to get too upset but she really hated casters.

The succubus's hoof steps caught her attention as she returned, but this time not alone. She hung on the arm of a… truly handsome young man, leaning her abundant bust against his shoulder as she spoke in her native tongue. His hair was the same shade of reddish brown as Amberlin's, long bangs obscuring half of his face the rest gathered in a tail that rested on his chest held in place by a clasp she recognized as Sapphiro's work. His robes were a brilliant scarlet red, muffling the sound of his foot steps as he walked closer. His skin was as white as very expensive parchment, his features angular almost pretty. If it weren't for the bit of a goatee on his chin even at a close distance he could be mistaken for a woman. He seemed though to move with grace and confidence, a far cry from the skittish space case she dropped off nearly a month ago.

As they approached the top of the ramp the demon leaned in and whispered something in his ear, her tail curling in delight. His wide emerald eyes grew wider in shock, a deep blush coloring his features, even racing up the edge of his long ears and his steps faltered. He stepped on the front of his robe just at the lip of the ramp and went tumbling down with a squawk of surprise face first onto the floor. The demon giggled and held out a bag to the sprawled elf, looking as innocent as one of those demons could as he righted himself. He blinked at her from his sprawled position on his back on the floor, as if shocked someone could say or do such things….and after a moment he laughed.

She knew it, the instant she heard that laugh, light and bubbling and masculine… she knew she was in trouble. It made his entire body seem lighter, his face lighting up with amusement. With that blush, his clothing out of its previous pristine order and hair in disarray… and that laugh…

This was going to be FAR more trouble than it was going to be wroth… down right dangerous she thought as he got up and turned that smile, gentle and innocent, in her direction. Her heart fluttered in her chest, some warm and tingly feeling coursing through her veins even as her mind told her to stop it. He took Sapphiro's full attention away, he'd been in the company of high and mighty casters for a month, he was weak and spacey and a liability but worse…he was going to get her master in danger of she got too close…

She looked up with a scowl to find him standing in front of her, a single stemmed silk rose held out, a peace offering. It was beautiful, a delicate shade of lavender fading into white. She knew it was made of cloth, but it almost looked real.

"For the lady… a flower that will never fade." Dawnqui said, his voice soft and melodious, again almost too soft to be male but still that timber could not be denied.

This was going to be seriously dangerous, her mind supplied, as she snatched up the rose and turned on her heel. He stumbled after her, slinging his pack over his shoulder and trying to keep up with her irritated strides. She stormed back down the Row towards the gates of the city, hands in fists at her side. Her companion tried to keep up, babbling the entire time to fill the silence.

Neither saw the faint shadows of a ghostly wolf watching them with a big grin on his face… this was his best plan ever.