Temple of Wisdom
The Storm Peaks
Rigid mountainous terrain surrounds ancient stone architecture. Glimmering bronze domes sat atop masterfully crafted marble columns seemingly sprouting from the mountains themselves. The Titans had a very specific style when designing there structures. Their obsession with gold and shining lights was abundantly clear. This entire continent was littered with them.
The young elf's hands clawed into the hardened masonry. She pulled herself up inch by inch towards the awaiting platform. A sweet melody continued to play in her ears. Lorelei was so close to it now. It was almost as if she was being consumed by a rhapsody of sweet justice. Revenge was finally in reach. She only need to dig deeper and find her true calling.
The silent, sleeping, staring houses in the backwoods always dream... It would be merciful to tear them down...
Everything she heard would make no sense to the unenlightened. Lorelei knew better than that. Her eyes had finally been opened. She cast aside all of the worldly wants that bound her to that pitiful existence. Her home, her family, and even that disgusting notion known as love. Believing in such foolish things caused her irreparable pain. The old her would have been wallowing in a void of her own wretched emotions.
Not anymore.
The voice was soothing. It brought her warmth in a sea of winter. It provided light in an endless shroud of darkness. It was her salvation when all hope was lost.
Lorelei ascended the ridge. She climbed over the grey tiled surface and pushed herself up and to her feet. A golden brazier shined on the edge of the platform to the south east. Eight marble columns held aloft the open circular roof. Towards the center of the terrace sat an empty throne that glowed despite no visible light source. A single stone walkway connected this structure to the massive fortress just north of her position.
This would almost appear to a structure like any other in the surrounding landscape. However, this particular temple was entwined by three strange, twisted growths. Each of them had sharpened spines growing out of them, some nearly twice as tall as she stood.
The young elf walked towards them. She placed her slender hand upon the blackened stock. It was undeniably beautiful. The true exquisiteness of its makeup was above and beyond and gem, painting, or statue. Sadly, this root appeared to have died a long time ago. Her hand continued to glide up and down its firm skin almost in a vain attempt to communicate with the deceased limb.
Standing here was not a coincidence. Everything that had happened was exactly as the voice commanded. It wanted her to be here to take in this experience. The shining throne that sat empty with no one to claim it was proof of that. Even a king found renewed power from the call within. No one could ignore such glory when it was staring you in the face. Lorelei knew she had found her true calling.
A sharp skidding erupted in the background. The young elf snapped her head and drew her blade towards the interrupting. That blasted tiger had found a way around the mountains and managed to jump across the ravine in order to make it to the base of the temple. Lorelei was hoping to ditch that monstrous green hindrance but if it chose to continue to follow her then so be it. If the voice could bring enlightenment to her shrouded soul, perhaps it could even touch the empty shell of a beast as well.
The young elf made her way towards the bronze walkway. She could hear the voice crying out to her from behind the fortress walls. Nothing was going to stop her now from claiming the ultimate prize. It was so damn close she could practically taste it on the tip of her thin pink tongue. She wanted to consume it whole and let the voice fill her to the brim with it wisdom, guidance, and salvation. It was the ruler of her emotions and she was its devoted servant.
The stars sweep chill currents that make men shiver in the dark...
Menethil Harbor
Wetlands
Countless squawking birds brought life to the endless void of the distant sea. Their mating calls cried out to each other in the hopes of finding another to bond with even if for a brief moment. It was almost criminal how easily those creatures found love while others have to contend with those pesky little things called emotions.
Rayne walked along the boardwalk hoping to cast those irrelevant thoughts aside. A large sack of red and orange colored apples was held firmly in the grasp of his left arm leaving his right hand free to enjoy the succulent flesh of the uniquely sweet fruit. It was this blissful feeling that reminded him he was truly home.
The paladin dug into another hefty bite while perusing the various shops and vendors peddling their unique wares. Menethil Harbor was unlike any port town in the Eastern Kingdoms. It was located in nearly the dead center of the continent which made shipping products to this area much cheaper than anywhere else. This also meant there was an abundance of unique and one of a kind items only available in Menethil. Importing was almost as lucrative as the exporting business and all of the citizens here got to reap the rewards.
Sadly, the only thing keeping this city from expanding is the lousy weather. It takes a special kind of person to call grey skies, unflinching humidity, and swamp ridden lakes their home. Nevertheless, it wasn't the atmosphere that made Menethil great, it was the citizens. They helped raise the paladin into the man he would soon become. They were truly a people like no other.
Rayne finished the last morsel of the tender apple and chucked the core into the ocean. One lucky bird will get to enjoy the remnants of that delicious fruit while the others will go on in the hopes their number will come up some day.
The sun was beading down from its highest peak. Noon had already settled in and the ships that arrived earlier this morning were almost entirely empty. The packages his father required may already be waiting for him. Treasure and gold didn't really drive Rayne's crusade but he was still curious about what kind of unique trinkets his companions have excavated this week.
Only one ship was currently being unloaded at this point. Rayne made his way down to the end of the dock where a familiar face was already standing by. The silver-haired priest made no qualms about her current mood as the same sullen look of grim inquisition when they last parted.
"Hey Zari!"
The paladin greeted her with a hearty smile and a wave.
"You're late Rayne."
"Am I?" He asked by taking a quick gaze back up at the sun. "And here I thought I was right on time."
Rayne surveyed the area. There didn't appear to be any crates or barrels labeled with the Templar name sitting on the docks. A brisk wave of dread launched into the paladin's heart as he quickly speculated as to the reason why.
"Where are the packages? Please don't tell me someone took them already."
The priest shook her head.
"No. They are running late as well. I have already scolded the captain. His crew is currently searching for our shipments at this moment."
A large breath of relief escaped the paladin's beefy lungs.
"Well, I hope it's not too long of a wait then. Knowing you, I'm sure they have been properly motivated to finish up quickly," joked Rayne.
Not a single air of laughter escaped the priest's lips. She continued to look off into the distance as if deep in thought. This was an awkward situation for them both. Rayne had barely spent any time with Zariyana when she wasn't in the company of her twin. They played off each other well in most social situations but when separated, it was quickly becoming an endurance trial.
There was only one thing the paladin could think of to break the ice. Perhaps he could get her to open up a bit with some casual dialogue by offering a proverbial branch of friendship.
"Here."
Rayne reached into his bag of apples and graciously offering them to his guildmate. He smiled at her once more as the gem-like shine of the fruit peered at the young woman eager to be ravaged.
"I'm not sure if you've had these before but they're a local delicacy. They're one of Menethil's biggest exports but sadly, lose their taste and potency the longer they've been off the tree. Still, they're pretty good after a week or two but nothing compares when they've been freshly picked this morning."
Zariyana raised an eyebrow. She casually dropped her gaze to the piece of fruit casually sitting in the paladin's gauntlet. Rayne was appealing to her inquisitive nature in the hopes that she would let down her guard even for a brief moment and begin to open up.
She slowly drew her hand near the paladin's and carefully seized the apple in her gentle grasp. Rayne's smile grew much wider as he reached back into the back and pulled another piece of fruit to enjoy once more. He clasped his radiant white teeth over the hard red flesh and snapped it downwards with a delectable crunch.
The priest brought the apple closer to her face for further inspection. She took a small whiff and an immediate look of surprise fell over her expression.
"This smells of cinnamon."
"Uh huh," Rayne replied after swallowing the first incredible bite. "These are Melanie's famous cider apples. She sprinkles the roots with a handful of spices twice a year. To take it a step further, her orchard is filled with cinnamomum trees so the bees will cross pollinate with them. You can really only grow both of these types of trees in a place with high humidity, which thankfully, this region has an abundance of, and making it pretty much impossible to grow these anywhere else."
The paladin took another hearty chunk of sweet fruity flesh into his mouth as he continued.
"That's what makes them so special. Every bite is like eating a piece of pie," he stated as he finished chewing. "Without the crust of course."
"Fascinating."
Zariyana continued to marvel at the simple science of the entire endeavor. The way she looked at this town made it seem like she was more impressed that such simple folk could come up with a unique and creative delicacy such as this one. Unfortunately, her admiration was short lived as she returned her gaze towards the paladin with a rush of disdain.
"What's wrong?" Rayne asked while stuffing his mouth full with another bite.
"It's nothing," the priest sighed. "I'm just curious as to how you could eat in such a barbaric manner."
"Barbaric?"
The paladin almost felt insulted by such a comment before quickly realizing there was a plump chunk of uneaten apple residing on the corner of his freshly shaved chin. He quickly wiped away the embarrassing atrocity with a simple flick before continuing.
"How else are you supposed to eat an apple?"
"On a plate, thinly sliced, with the core and skin removed of course."
Rayne heavily sighed. It wasn't hard to forget that Zariyana was a noble based on her mannerisms, attitude, and speech. However, it would be nice if she would just give a little more thought to trying some new experiences. The paladin was raised in a similar fashion but despite his upbringing, he never looked down upon those who seemingly did nothing but look up. Empathy was such an uncommon trait amongst the noble.
"Just try it Zari," groaned the paladin. "If it makes you feel any better, I promise I won't tell your brother about the time you lowered yourself to eating like the common folk."
That remark seemed to have struck a chord within the priest. Her previous look of mild detest was now beginning to swell with a touch of anger. Zariyana didn't appear to be the kind of person who could be so easily goaded with a few simple words. Perhaps they both had a lot more to learn about one another.
The priest brought the apple to her soft pink lips. Her gaze locked upon Rayne for a brief moment before looking away. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth ever so slightly while inserting a small fragment of the ruby colored skin between her teeth. The apple let out a tiny but resounding snap as she bit into the ripened fruit. Zariyana chewed it delicately several times over before swallowing the sweetened flesh.
"Incredible," she stated just above a whisper while opening her eyes in sheer wonderment. "It is exactly as you described. Had I not been holding this piece of fruit in my hands, I would have thought I was eating a slice of apple pie."
Rayne couldn't hold back a smile as he watched the priest dig into another small but appetizing bite. It may have only been a tiny crack but he was slowly breaking down the walls this Legend twin had surrounded herself in. The apple did a good job of hiding it for the most part but he could have sworn caught Zariyana smiling ever so discreetly.
"Now there's a side of you I'd be delighted to see more of. Isn't it nice to let yourself go once and a while?"
"I wouldn't hold your breath," she countered. "We all have parts of our being that no one, not even the most precious people in our lives, will ever see."
The paladin was quite shocked to hear such a profound statement coming from the likes of Zariyana no less. Normally, she was bold, crass, and incorrigibly blunt. The sudden realization that even she could have secrets despite appearing to put her best foot forward upon every encounter was surprising to say the least.
"Speaking of which," the priest began between bites. "I take back what I said prior. You look much more appealing without that dreadful hair tormenting your face."
"You think so?" Laughed the paladin while giving this smooth skin a gentle rub. "It was actually starting to grow on me. I never thought about it before. I just let myself go for a while and it sort of happened."
"Is that so?"
Zariyana's tone grew somber as she ceased eating the apple in her hands.
"Would that be due to the fact that you finally told Narula how you truly felt and she outright rejected you?"
The paladin let out an atrocious cough as a huge chunk of chewed fruit fought its way down his throat. Her sudden revelation choked him both mentally and physically as Rayne struggled to free himself of the cloying grasp of each before succumbing to certain doom.
"What are you talking about?!" Gasped Rayne as he sucked in quick bursts of sweet air. "That's not what happened at all."
"Oh," the priest replied before casually taking in another bite. "I thought that may have been the case give how your attitude had changed in your father's study."
Rayne raised his eyebrow. He thought he had covered every base but apparently, Zariyana's deduction skills were not to be trifled with. She knew something was up from the moment he walked into the vault and it hadn't left her mind since.
"Please don't look so surprised Rayne," the priest started. "I believe we had a similar discussion not too long ago at Lake Wintergrasp."
The paladin's brow furrowed. He couldn't stop himself from revealing the obvious tell no matter how hard his mind fought back. Even hearing the name of that dreaded place brought back terrible emotions that he hoped to have put behind him.
"I see. So it does have something to do with that battle."
She carefully looked into Rayne's brooding expression. The paladin was trying his hardest not to break but given the circumstances, Zariyana was not going to let up.
"I understand the parameters of this new mission as you have explained it to us. It is a bold and dire task you wish to embark upon. Naturally, I'm sure my brother feels the same way as I do. We would be more than willing to accompany you to Ulduar Rayne."
The priest paused for a moment. She locked eyes with Rayne and held them firm before continuing.
"However."
The words struck the paladin like a bolt of lightning. Before today, he could hardly get two words out of Zariyana that wasn't an insult or at the very least, a backhanded compliment. Now the paladin was about to be lectured by someone he held in quite high esteem even though she looked at no one else in a similar light.
"I do not appreciate the façade you continue to hide behind. We have already experienced it once at Wintergrasp during our mission briefing. I explained my stance on the matter back then and do not wish to repeat myself."
Metal slowly began to crunch as the paladin formed a tight fist within his gauntlet. The priest had touched upon a delicate nerve. This unfamiliar tinge of anger slowly building within was starting to cry out for release. It wasn't so much that he was upset about being called out in such a manner. Rayne was getting mad at how easily he was caught and being picked apart by someone that didn't seem to care about anyone else that didn't share her last name.
"If you're stilling willing to embark upon this expedition Rayne, I must know that you are doing so for all the right reasons. I will not entrust my life to someone who's not giving theirs fully to those he depends on and in turn, depend upon him."
The priest's words were tough to swallow but made perfect sense. They had every right to decline this mission if they felt the paladin's motives were not in line with his actions. Rayne had spent so much time trying to bury these feelings that hearing them boldly thrown at him in such a manner was almost too much to handle.
"Normally I do not concern myself with the personal matters of anyone else. However, you have already proven yourself to be a strong and capable leader so I will only ask you this once."
Rayne took a deep breath and steeled himself for what could be the toughest question he's had to face in his entire life.
"Are you truly ready for this? Or is this mission merely a tool for you to further bury your emotions?"
It was a simple question but hearing it aloud for the first time slammed into the paladin harder than the weight of Azeroth suddenly falling into his lap. Zariyana had no idea the unbelievable amount of pain he went through after the battle of Wintergrasp had ended. Their efforts may have led the Alliance to achieve victory but Rayne saw it as anything but. Jean Starstrider, a new friend and fellow brother of the light was killed on that day. Rayne still couldn't get that blood curdling roar out of his mind. He cried all night after it happened and couldn't sleep for days later. There was no way that battle could easily be forgotten but maybe, just maybe this mission will help him find atonement that he so desperately sought.
The paladin owed Zariyana a proper answer. That much he was willing to admit. How much of it he was willing to share was still up for debate.
"You're right Zariyana."
There was nothing but sincerity pouring through those words but the priest continued to look upon him as if there were still plenty more left to be said.
"The truth of it is, I continue to battle the demons of Wintergrasp even as I stand here before you. On that day, I had let myself slip and become someone, or rather, something I am not. I let my emotions slip and nearly lost myself in the process."
"Are you referring to that orc you trounced while he was being detained by our soldiers?"
Rayne nodded.
"My behavior was unbecoming of a paladin and as your leader. I've been trying to move past it ever since and believe I am getting closer with each day. We may have won the battle but my heart still considers the entire experience to be a loss."
There was another uncomfortable silence between them. The priest appeared to be examining each and every one of Rayne's in extraordinary detail. She had every right to. The paladin had enough trouble dealing with the complex emotions of the aforementioned events. He couldn't add lying to his trusted friends to that list either.
"And what of the one you killed? The elven Horde Commander."
She wasn't pulling any punches. Perhaps this was exactly what Rayne needed. He had spent so much time running from the problem he hadn't bothered to look behind him and see just how close they were gaining on him.
"His death was unfortunate. I still regret my actions. Paladins were not meant to cross blades with one another. If only I were stronger, faster, and more skilled perhaps I could have changed the outcome of our battle."
Everything that needed to be said was now all on the table. Rayne took a deep breath knowing he was satisfied with what he shared. It was more than enough to explain his stance without revealing any underlying feelings still lingering within his heart.
Zariyana took another casual bite her apple disregarding her previous inquisitive stance to one of relaxed comfort.
"I'm sure it must have been hard on you but perhaps you're looking at it in the wrong way. If it wasn't going to be him, it would have been you. Given the opportunity, would you still be willing to take his knowing the outcome that awaited you otherwise?"
Rayne was astounded by that seemingly harmless query. He had never once thought about it in that light before. The paladin was busy trying to find a third solution to the problem that he never bothered to consider what would have happened if he fell on that day. It was easy to surmise a few possibilities, most of which ended with his friends and loved ones potentially perishing at his side.
That scenario was one he hoped he would never live to see. Buried underneath the muck of this emotional disaster, Rayne Templar could see the truth staring him right in the face.
"I…"
He nearly stammered trying to find composure in his thoughts.
"I don't know."
This was his honest thought. Rayne had no idea how to respond to that question. In reality, he hoped the exploring depths of Ulduar would help him find the answer. Now he knew more than ever that it is exactly where he would find it.
"Excuse me."
The paladin and priest quickly turned their attention towards the strained worker standing before them. He immediately dropped the two medium-sized crates in his hands before them. They slammed to the ground and violently shook the surrounding planks of the dock. The name TEMPLAR was marked on nearly all sides of each wooden box.
"Sorry about that," he painted. "It took a bit longer than expected but we found them."
Large streaks of sweat began to pour from his brow. They dripped into the dry dock and quickly dried up thanks to the blazing sun overhead.
"Is it just these two?" Zariyana questioned.
The worker painfully nodded while still trying to keep his weakened frame standing up straight.
"We turned the ship inside out twice over. Nothing else has that name on the side young lady."
"Thank you," Rayne interjected.
"Need any help bringing this stuff in? I've got a couple of guys on break I can lend. They should be back in a few minutes."
The paladin graciously shook his head.
"No thank you," he smiled. "I believe we can manage just fine."
Rayne leaned in a bit closer towards the worker.
"She might not look it but under that dress is nothing but solid muscle. I've seen her bend guys over backwards who are twice as big as I am with as little as a flick of a wrist."
"No kidding?"
The worker seemed genuinely impressed with what he had just heard. He tried not to stare at her too hard afterwards. She may have been cute but there was a deadly power lurking behind those radiant looks of hers. The paladin also may have neglected to mention that her feat of strength was actually just a well-timed spell but it was a minor detail.
"I believe it," the worker stated while wiping his soaked forehead on the back of his leather gloves. "She definitely seems the type that bites as good as she barks, that's for sure."
Rayne chuckled at the comment. The worker bid them a quick farewell and then jumped back on the boat to continue his long day at work. This mound of treasure may have been a lot for the typical laborer to handle but the paladin was blessed with the light's strength. A small feat like this shouldn't be that hard to carry on the long trek back to his father's keep.
He placed the bag of apples on top of the crates. Rayne squatted and carefully grasped the first. With one mighty pull he lifted it up a few inches and could feel each and every one of his muscles crying out in agony. Regret inevitable set in. He had severely underestimated the strength of the dock workers.
"Here, allow me to help you."
This was rather odd coming from Zariyana. A noble performing menial tasks like this was practically unheard of. Maybe she had finally warmed up to the point where pesky things like duty and titles didn't matter. They were friends after all.
The priest seized the bag of apples within her free hand and walked carefree down the docks without looking back. She only got five paces away before the strain and humiliation forced Rayne to speak up.
"Hey!" He called out. "I thought you said you were going to help me with these crates."
"Why would I?" She coquettishly replied without even bothering to turn around. "I am a lady after all."
Zariyana then took a quick bite of her apple and gazed upon the paladin with a sinister smirk. Rayne may have been joking with the worker beforehand but she was quickly proving the alleged accusation to be anything but a tall tale.
It was going to be a long walk back to the keep. This will definitely be a good time to reflect upon his chosen words. At the very least, he appeared to coax a smile out of an otherwise frigid being. That in and of itself was enough of a victory for today. Rayne did even bother to fight off a smile as he lifted the massive crates into his grip and gave chase to the fleeing priest.