Chapter Seven
Arrentai
About a month or so after this I came back from a trip to the southern end of Darkshore to be greeted by Gorbold Steelhand, the dwarf who usually bought my goods off me. He normally hangs around outside the inn where he can see everyone who comes and goes. Anyway he called me over before I'd even had a chance to visit my workshop with my latest haul.
"There're two death knights in town," he blurted out without so much as a "hello, how are you?"
"Word is; they're looking for you."
My blood ran cold; if anyone's looking for me it usually means trouble. And death knights sounded like big trouble.
"Where are they?"
"In the inn, taking advantage of Kyteran's hospitality."
I dumped the bundle of skins at his feet.
"Mind these for me. And don't sell them."
I headed into the inn, stopping at the counter to buy a bottle of strong wine. I had a feeling I was going to need it.
"If they're friends of yours, get them out of here," Kyteran said, indicating the pair who sat in a corner near the stairs. "They are not good for business."
I grimaced. When I first arrived in Darkshore she'd said the same about me. Now she was more than happy to take my money no matter what I looked like.
I looked around. The inn was empty apart from staff and the healers who worked in the upstairs rooms.
Taking my bottle I strolled across to them and stopped at a safe distance. Even as a worgen this pair made me feel powerless. They stood up and I swallowed nervously. Both clad in dark plate armour with helmets that mostly covered their faces they were an intimidating pair. One was a tall solidly built human, bearded and pale skinned; his companion, equally tall, a slender worgen female.
"I hear you're looking for me," I said.
"Arrentai Bearheart?" the human asked and I nodded.
"Do you know how difficult you were to find?" he demanded reaching up to remove his helmet. I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Gillaen!"
He was older of course and battle-scarred and his eyes bore the blank glow of fel magic associated with all members of the Scourge. But he was unmistakably my brother. I reached behind me and grabbed a chair to sit down. I felt as though my legs wouldn't hold me up.
"You look as though you need a drink," Gillaen said. I looked down at the bottle still in my hand, uncorked it with a claw and took a large gulp. Then I shifted to human.
"Neat trick," Gillaen commented sitting down again. He glanced at the worgen."Can you do that too or is it just a druid thing?"
She too had removed her helmet and sat down.
"I can do it," she said in a husky voice. "It's a worgen thing too. I just haven't seen much point in doing so. I have to fight in this form; it's easier to keep it." She sounded sad. I could understand that feeling. It wasn't easy coming to terms with the change.
It was just as well I was sitting down with the surprise I got then. Her image blurred as she began to shapeshift to human form. I stared in disbelief, unable to say a word. Against all the odds Nerissina too had escaped the clutches of the Lich King. Apart from the eyes she looked just as I remembered her. So many things became clear to me now. When Gillaen had written to tell me that Nerissina had changed and that there were worgen in the army this is what he meant. Obviously under orders not to talk about it outside of the army he had done his best to tell me but I'd been too slow witted to understand.
She didn't speak; just sat there watching me; waiting to see how I would react. Stunned, I took a large swallow of my wine. Straight from the bottle. Then I made the only decision I could, the only one I wanted to make. Still feeling slightly disoriented I stood, placing the bottle on the table, and took a step towards her holding out my hands. At once she was on her feet and in my arms. I held her close, never wanting to let her go again.
"I thought I'd never see you again; that you were dead," I said, realising as I spoke how stupid that sounded.
"I am dead," she said softly. "But I'm still Nerissina." But was she? I couldn't help wondering.
"I'm so glad to see you; both of you."
I really didn't know what to say. Of course I was delighted to see them both, but I didn't see how things could be the same as they were before; how I wanted them to be. Inevitably our relationship would change because Nerissina had changed, I had changed; and selfishly I wanted things as they were before. Fortunately Gillaen realised how awkward we both felt and he began talking about some totally random thing, but it was enough to diffuse the situation.
So there we sat, drinking and talking until late into the evening. At one point Kyteran brought us plates of food.
"With the amount you've been drinking you need it," she commented wryly. She was feeling happier now. Because we all looked human and no longer a threat her customers had come back and she was busy again.
They told me some of what they had been through; but like me they found some things were better left unsaid. After being raised from the dead into the Lich King's army they had done some really bad things of which they wouldn't talk. Their redemption had come at Light's Hope Chapel. Under the command of their leader Darion Mograine they had been ordered to attack the place. Unable to defeat its defenders despite vastly superior numbers, they had stopped fighting and were awaiting further orders when Highlord Tirion Fordring had arrived and talked with Mograine. They'd seen what seemed to be the ghost of his father talking with him as well. What he'd said obviously had a profound effect on him because when the Lich King arrived and ordered Mograine to kill Fordring he turned on his master instead. It was enough to break his malign hold on every Death Knight there. They regained their memories and their souls and became again what they had been before they died. Under Mograine's leadership they had taken control of the Scourge's Ebon Hold and made it their headquarters. From there the Knights of the Ebon Blade, as they were now more properly known, were sent out to complete their redemption by rejoining their former armies.
It was a terrible tale; what they had been through was much worse than what I'd suffered. And yet they were stronger, more focussed than I was. They were working hard to atone for their crimes whereas I was just drifting from one thing to another.
It was late when we finally decided we needed to sleep. At least I did; Gillaen and Nerissina still looked fresh and wide awake. Gillaen took a room in the inn. Nerissina and I wanted to be together so I took her back to my workshop. I only had a mattress to sleep on; I didn't spend much time there so it was all I needed; but we could be alone there. I spent the night with her in my arms, nothing more; but it was more than we'd had for too long. And we talked; alone it was easier; we could reveal feelings that were too private for anyone else to hear.
We were awoken the next morning by the sound of someone rapping on the door. Untangling myself from both Nerissina and the bedclothes I got to my feet, crossed the room and opened the door. I stared blearily at Gorbold who stood there with my bundle of skins at his feet.
"What?" I demanded grumpily. I was never at my best in the morning if I'd been drinking the night before.
"I don't provide warehouse facilities," he said facetiously. "Nor do I usually make deliveries. When you asked me to mind these last night I thought you'd be coming back for them later."
"Sorry," I replied, "I had other things on my mind."
"So I see." He glanced past me to where Nerissina was sitting on the mattress wearing only her undergarments. She was respectable enough but he put two and two together and reached completely the wrong conclusion. I grabbed the bundle, thanked him brusquely and pushed the door shut in his face. I leaned back against it and groaned. Nerissina laughed.
"It's not funny," I said, "He's an inveterate gossip. I guarantee by nightfall the whole town's going to know that the crazy worgen has bedded the death knight. He never lets truth get in the way of a good story."
"We could always make it truth," she suggested. "It was once before."
"We've changed since then."
"Yes. I'm dead and we're both wolves. Could be interesting."
I smiled as I hefted the bundle onto a pile of skins already waiting for my attention. I didn't know if she was serious or not, but now was not the time to find out.
"Let's go join Gillaen for breakfast," I suggested retrieving my clothes and dressing.
Nerissina sat watching me.
"I told you once that I would marry you when there was peace. I have learned since that life is too uncertain to make long term plans. I've cheated death and damnation once. I may not be so lucky again. I want to know the happiness you offered me. If it's even possible."
I crouched beside her and gently touched her cheek with one finger.
"We'll talk of this later," I promised, but to be honest I couldn't see how it could work.
She left her armour off and took a gown from her bag to wear. As we walked to the inn I could sense people watching us; but this was different. They weren't seeing the beast they feared. Instead they were seeing a man with a beautiful woman at his side. Gillaen was already seated at the same table we had shared last night, with a selection of dishes in front of him.
"So you're up at last," he said with a grin as we sat down. I glared at him; I didn't appreciate his innuendo. Between him and the gossip I'd have no reputation left. And I'd worked hard to earn that reputation. It wasn't easy when you looked, as I did half the time, like a creature from a child's nightmare. As we ate we talked more. They had only a week of leave before they had to return to Stormwind, Gillaen told me. So little time to get to know Nerissina over again.
That first day I took them around Lor'danel and a way down the coast to show them the work we'd been doing. Gillaen took time to talk to the sentinels and decided to spend his time helping deal with the Horde camped out to the north. My brother had truly found his calling in the army. Although he could no longer call himself a paladin after what he'd been through, yet once again he fought for the Light; and found comfort in it.
Before they arrived I'd been helping the refugees from the town of Auberdine. Once a thriving port it had been destroyed by the cataclysm and we were helping people salvage their belongings and deal with an outbreak of elementals that were causing trouble in the area. Just the sort of work that a druid was suited to. Nerissina chose to accompany me, so we could spend our time together. Once the people could see past her being a death knight she got on well with them and was able to do a lot of good. We could have stayed at the camp overnight but we chose to return to Lor'danel each night. It gave us a chance to meet up with Gillaen and have some privacy.
It turned out that Nerissina was serious about still wanting to marry me. We went and spoke to a priest who was staying in town to ask his advice. He was quite adamant; someone who was officially dead or undead couldn't marry. The legality of it didn't bother us; what was important to us was the symbolism of the ceremony. With that proviso, and a generous donation, he was happy to oblige us with a blessing so in our eyes at least if not those of the law we were as good as married.
Sadly it was not so easy to resume our previous closeness. Nerissina tried her best but there was no avoiding the fact that something was missing. That vital essence; her passion for life; that had made her the woman I'd loved before; it was gone. Lost with her soul at the hands of the Scourge it could never be regained. Although she clearly still loved me, her words proved that; she found it impossible now to feel the physical side of that love in the same way. I did my best to reassure her that it didn't matter; but deep in my heart I knew it did and in time what we had would not be enough. Also, I was all too aware that people would frown on our relationship. Where I saw the woman I had always loved, they would be seeing the undead monster that was a death knight.
The thing that was most disturbing was the scar from the wound that had killed her. Just below her breast it was a wide jagged scar where a scourge blade had been driven up under her ribs and into her heart. I soon learned not to notice it and our time together was as perfect as I could make it.
Unfortunately it was also too short. The week was over too soon and they had to leave. They were travelling by boat from Teldrassil so they needed to fly there first. I hadn't been back for a while so I decided to go that far with them. We landed at Rut'theran village a while before the ship was due to dock. Gillaen, never one to exert himself unnecessarily found a comfortable spot to rest in while Nerissina and I wandered along the water's edge to have a few last moments together. She was wearing her armour but had left the helmet with Gillaen so I could see her face. We found a spot where we were hidden from sight and I took her in my arms.
"I know you have to go," I said, "but I wish it wasn't so. We've lost so much time that I don't want to lose any more."
"You could come with us."
"I know. But what would I do on a battlefield? I'm not much use as a fighter. I don't like to hurt people. No. I'm better off staying here where I can be of use. And you'll know where to find me next time you have some leave."
We could see the boat arriving then so we kissed briefly and made our way back to Gillaen. He handed Nerissina her helmet then turned to me.
"Take care of yourself, little brother," he said with a quick embrace.
"You take care too, "I replied. "And look after her for me. I don't want to lose her again."
I watched as they went on board and remained until the boat pulled away from the dock and disappeared into the mist. I was alone again, but I wasn't lonely because I'd found what I most needed. Turning, I walked up the hill towards the portal that led to the top of Teldrassil. I needed information and I figured the best place to get it was at the Howling Oak. I'd heard rumours that the worgen transformations had been going on a lot longer than the king or his officials had let on so someone should have some answers for me.
Strolling through Darnassus I visited the bank to make a deposit. I was getting a nice sum there. My leather goods fetched a good price and I didn't need much so I saved my profits. Maybe one day I'd have enough to make a good home for Nerissina; assuming we both made it through these cursed never ending wars.
When I reached the Howling Oak I found it wasn't going to be easy to get the answers I needed. I'd already known that the king had gone to Stormwind to live at Varian's court. It turned out that most of his courtiers and anyone of any importance had gone with him. Most of the Gilneans living in the Howling Oak were refugees, and the majority of those worgen. Those who had escaped the curse and remained human had followed the king's example and found homes in the wider world. Although rumour had long had it that Greymane was himself a worgen. If that was so I wondered how he kept it hidden from his new allies; or was he so arrogant that he didn't bother to try.
Chatting to some of the refugees I came to the conclusion that like me no one had ever seen a worgen child. Those Gilneans that I knew or suspected to be worgen, such as Darius Crowley or the king had human children. Maybe Gilnean children were free of the curse unless they were actually bitten. I hoped that was so. I didn't want any child of mine to go through what I had suffered. Mind you, I might be wasting my time. I didn't know if death knights could have children. Having been dead might cause difficulties there. In fact I didn't really know how alive they were now. Gillaen and Nerissina certainly looked and felt alive. They didn't look like reanimated corpses like the Forsaken did. I doubted anyone would have an answer to that. Maybe Krennan Aranas might have an idea but pinning him down long enough to hold a conversation could be tricky. Although he lived in Darnassus he was always disappearing off to other places. Maybe Nerissina and I were the ones who'd find out. I guess only time would tell.
Gillaen
After the worst of the damage from the cataclysm was cleared up we were sent back to Northrend to rejoin our regiment. We finally made it to Wintergarde Keep but didn't stay there long. The Horde had been attacking the lumber camps and settlements in Grizzly Hills and we were sent to help out. The orcs had adopted guerrilla tactics, making quick attacks, slaughtering everyone and staying just long enough to take the supplies and stock they wanted. All too often we were too late to stop them. We were left to clear up, to bury the dead and try to track down the killers. It was demoralising work and inevitably it began to tell on us.
Things came to a head after an attack on a farm not far from Amberpine Lodge, where we were based. We'd got to know the family there quite well. I believe they were related in some way to Lieutenant Dumont, the senior officer there. Anyhow Jacob Armitage and his son Ross often visited the lodge, occasionally accompanied by their wives, Martha and Rachel, and Jacob's grandchildren. So when we had a report of orcs in the area I took out a patrol to investigate.
Nerissina
It was too quiet as we approached the farm. Normally we could hear the livestock, the children, the chatter of the workers. Today there was nothing. Only silence. Even the wild birds had stopped singing. I paused; Gillaen beside me stopped too; and I scented the air. I knew at once we were too late; knew what we would find.
"Blood," I whispered. "Too much blood."
"Tell me!" Gillaen halted the patrol with a hand signal.
"The orcs have been here. Their scent is fresh, still close."
Quickly Gillaen organised the patrol to spread out to check and secure the wider area while we checked the buildings. We found Jacob and Ross in the barn, both dead. They hadn't stood a chance against the savagery of the orcs. Martha was in her kitchen; she'd been baking when she died.
"The children!" I said. "Where are the children?"
I pushed Gillaen aside and headed up the stairs. Rachel's body lay in the door to one of the rooms; she'd died trying to protect her children. I hesitated, afraid to go through the door, but I had to know. For long moments I stared in shock at those small murdered infants huddled together on the bed. Long forgotten memories thrust unbidden into my mind.
"No!" I whispered in anguish. "My baby, they took my baby!"
I turned, almost collided with Gillaen, who'd followed me up the stairs, and dashed out of the house. Half blinded by tears I had no idea where I was going. I stumbled on the rough ground, looked up and realised I'd run into the orc raiders. I didn't even have time to draw my sword before a blow knocked me unconscious.
Gillaen
As soon as Nerissina told me she scented blood I knew we wouldn't find any survivors. But even I wasn't prepared for the bloody massacre we found. These people had been friends; I felt we'd failed them, not being able to save them. No wonder Nerissina was so distraught. I couldn't hear clearly what she'd said, something about a child, but I'd seen the look on her face as she ran outside, throwing caution to the winds. She was fortunate that some of the patrol saw the orcs attack her and were able to drive them off and save her.
We returned to Amberpine and I made my report. Dumont sent out troops to bury the family and hunt down the orcs. Nerissina was treated for her injuries and I thought that would be the end of it. Far from it. Although Nerissina's physical injuries healed quickly her mental state was another matter. She remained depressed and uncommunicative. There was no way I was taking her out with the patrol like that; she'd be too much of a liability. In the end I got permission to take her back to Stormwind and sent a message to Arrentai. Maybe my brother could get through to Nerissina, I couldn't. He arrived in the city just days after we did.
Arrentai
Gillaen had promised to keep me up to date with what they were doing; and for a while his news was of the battles they'd fought and the places they'd been. They'd been all over Azeroth, including most recently Northrend, and had even been as far as Outland – the shattered remains of the Draenei's former home. I never expected the urgent message I got just weeks later. A sentinel came looking for me to make sure I got it quickly. As I read the terse message summoning me to Stormwind I had no idea what it was about. I was so worried that I paid good money for a mage portal directly to Stormwind. I hurried straight to the barracks and asked for Gillaen.
My brother took one look at my face and reassured me that it wasn't as bad as I obviously thought. Nerissina had been injured, but not seriously. It was the events beforehand and after that had concerned Gillaen enough to send his message. They'd been in Northrend trying to deal with orcs raiding settlements and farms. They'd gone into a house and found an entire family that had been slaughtered. Nerissina had looked at the dead children, muttered something about a child under her breath and run out straight into a group of orcs. She'd been injured before he or their companions had been able to react. They'd got out of there with no more casualties and she was recovering from her wound but she refused to talk about what had upset her.
"I just don't understand it," Gillaen told me. "She doesn't usually let anything get to her. She's always seemed so tough. I hoped you could get through to her."
He led me to the building where the female death knights had their quarters. In human form Nerissina lay on her bunk, unmoving, oblivious to everything going on round her. She didn't even seem to notice me. Ignoring the onlookers I bent to kiss her.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" I asked gently.
She turned her head to look at me then. The sorrow in her eyes was unbearable. Not even when she told me of what she had done as a member of the Scourge had she been so distraught.
"I had a child," she whispered. "I saw those little innocent bodies and I remembered. When I was trapped they took my baby from me. She was so tiny, so new, and they took her away."
I caught her up in my arms and held her close, asking questions, trying to understand. She'd been pregnant when the worgen took her; had given birth after escaping from Shadowfang. Then she'd been captured. If the hunters had found a feral worgen with a human child they would not have realised that it was hers. They would have believed she had stolen it. I doubted anyone who was not worgen would have realised this could happen. Krennan's treatment, intended to restore human memories, must have suppressed that memory. Then it had been lost along with all her other memories when she became Scourge until the sight of those murdered children had brought it to the surface again. I realised too what it meant to me. Somewhere in this vast war-torn world was an unknown child I'd never seen; a daughter who should be with us, her parents.
I looked up at Gillaen and saw his expression; his shock was as great as mine. I released my hold on Nerissina. "I'm going to get some answers," I said, feeling my self-control slipping. I was barely outside the door when with a savage snarl I shifted into worgen. I was too angry to maintain my human form any longer. I strode across the training ground to the administrative office, flung open the door and went in. The officer behind the desk looked up in alarm.
"I want all your records on Nerissina Moonshade," I snarled at him.
"I can't do that," he replied nervously. "Civilians can't see military records."
"I'd recommend you make an exception this once," said Gillaen behind me. "He's really not in the mood to take no for an answer."
My brother was senior in rank to the man so he took that suggestion as an order. Quickly searching his files he placed a sheet of paper on the desk between us. I snatched it up and read it. It was all there; how Nerissina had been taken from her patrol, held captive in Shadowfang keep, escaped during a raid and captured by a hunting party. Unlike me she'd already regained her self control by then. There was no mention of a child being with her, just a brief note that she appeared to have given birth recently. Yet they'd refused to believe her. They'd just put her back in uniform and sent her back out to fight. Crumpling the paper in my hand I flung it in the man's face, turned and stormed out, pushing Gillaen aside. I was furious.
Needing to vent some of that anger I turned on the nearest thing available; fortunately a training dummy; and shredded it with my claws. The guards at the gate sprang to alertness, wary about letting me leave in my altered state. I snarled at them, determined that no one was going to stop me. Gillaen gestured them away so they made no move towards me. With my brother close on my heels I strode through the city streets to the keep. More than one guard had second thoughts about trying to stop me when they saw my face. I don't blame them; they didn't want to risk being bitten by an irate worgen.
The guards at the keep were of stronger stuff and better armed. They weren't going to let me in. I stood my ground and bared my fangs in a vicious snarl.
"You tell that bastard Greymane that I want answers and he can't hide behind your king forever."
I admit I was tempted to transform into a bear and simply fight my way through but I had enough reason left to realise these men were just doing their duty. I saw one go inside and I waited to see what would happen. He was back a few minutes later to say that I would be admitted but if I couldn't control myself I would be shot. I nodded and followed him inside surrounded by a ridiculously large detachment of guards. Gillaen followed unnoticed. I was escorted to Varian Wrynn's audience chamber where he sat with Greymane at his side. I noticed several well-armed marksmen positioned all round the room. They were taking no chances but if I offered no threat they would not harm me. My own king couldn't meet my eyes but the human showed no such reluctance.
"What do you want here, worgen?" he asked. He didn't recognize me of course; I'd been in human form last time we met.
"My name is Arrentai Bearheart. I want information and justice for my wife," I stated staring him in the face.
"Explain."
I was only too eager to do so. I told him everything, how we had been made into worgen, the drugs we'd been given to restore our minds and all my suspicions of how our people had been deceived for so long. Lastly I told him what Nerissina had told me and what I had just learned.
"She can't remember clearly; it was four years ago; and when she was taken by the Scourge she lost all her memories, but she must only just have given birth when they captured her," I said. "I didn't even know she was pregnant or I would have looked for the child sooner."
"You're sure it was human?"
"Yes. If it had looked worgen they wouldn't have taken it away, would they? It would have been given the same treatment we were."
Wrynn pondered for a few minutes; then turned to Greymane.
"What do you say, Genn? Could this be true?"
"It's possible," he conceded. "But I had nothing to do with the way Krennan Aranas was treating his patients. Or anyone else for that matter."
"Yet you've had the same treatment haven't you, my Lord" I said greatly daring. He couldn't look at me. I knew I was right.
"How long have you been hiding the fact that you too are a worgen?"
"Enough," snapped Wrynn. "Genn, have you anyone here who can provide the information this man needs?"
It took a little time but they found someone who'd worked with Krennan and who knew what had happened to the children stolen from their worgen mothers. It turned out that they had been sent to the orphanage in Stormwind. Our child was in this very city.
I told the unfortunate lackey that I would be reclaiming my child within the hour and he hurried away. Gillaen put his hand on my shoulder. Startled I snarled before I realised it was him.
"Arrentai, you've got what you wanted. Come away now."
He was right. I took a deep breath as I felt my anger leave me. Then, calm enough at last, I shifted to human. I looked up at Varian Wrynn, apologised and thanked him; then bowed and strode out unhindered. Gillaen hurried after me.
"I can't believe you did that," he said. "You could have got yourself killed."
"No one is going to mess about with my family. I've had enough from people who think being powerful gives them the right to ruin other people's lives. Now we need to get Nerissina."
We hurried back to the barracks, to fetch Nerissina. She didn't want to come with us until Gillaen pulled rank on her.
"On your feet, soldier," he snapped, "and move." She had no choice but to obey a direct order. We left the barracks again and headed towards the cathedral square. As we approached the orphanage she realised where we were going and tried to pull back.
"I can't," she said anguished as we headed for the steps up to the open door. We could hear the happy shouts of playing children.
"There's nothing bad there, Nerissina, I promise." Light, how it hurt to hear her pain. What must she have suffered bearing that secret for so long.
We went inside where the matron was waiting for us. She must have been told what we were yet she welcomed us without reservation.
"I've checked your information against our records," she said. "Sometimes such records are incomplete but the Gilnean ones are accurate. There was only one newborn child taken from a worgen during the right time period in the area of Shadowfang keep. She was premature and very small, but is now healthy and growing well. "
From the table she lifted the tattered remains of a tabard such as the Gilnean army wore.
"She was wrapped in this."
Nerissina stared at it. "That was mine," she whispered. "She was cold and it was all I had."
The matron went to a child who was sitting nearby, took her by the hand and led her towards us.
"This is your daughter," she said, smiling. Nerissina looked up at me for reassurance then knelt and held out her arms to take her child. She held her close and smiled. "She's beautiful," she whispered. I couldn't argue; our daughter had her mother's blue eyes and red-blonde hair.
After we'd filled out the necessary paperwork and been given a bag with our daughter's possessions we left the orphanage and wandered into the square. For a while we simply sat on one of the benches getting to know her. Then without warning it began to rain. The nearest shelter was the cathedral and we hurried inside. Nerissina and Gillaen would have been content to wait in the porch, but I took the child and went inside. They followed, curious to see what I had in mind. As the last time I'd visited I walked towards the altar and stood there in the light. The play of light caught the child's attention and she laughed with delight.
A priest turned at the sound of her voice and approached me.
"Welcome, brother," he greeted me, stopping a few paces away as he noticed the yellow tinge to my eyes that marked me as worgen.
"How may I be of service?"
"Our daughter has just returned to us and we'd like her to receive the blessing of the Light," I said.
"Of course. What is her name?"
I hadn't thought of that. I called Nerissina and Gillaen forward. Now the priest was really nervous as he realised what they were. Gillaen noticed his discomfort.
"In life we were paladins and served the Light," he said gruffly. "Now we serve it again. We won't harm you."
I explained to Nerissina and she smiled. She bent down to the child's level and asked what her name was.
"Talli," she answered.
"Would you like a new name for your new life?" She nodded.
"Taliesa," Nerissina suggested. I liked that, the feminine form of my father's name, and close enough to the child's old name for her not to be confused.
"Taliesa," I repeated. The priest nodded and gave the blessing. We thanked him and he went away leaving us alone.
"I never thought I'd be able to come in here," Gillaen said quietly his voice betraying his emotion. "I believed my damnation in the Scourge had forever taken the Light from me, but I was wrong. I feel at peace here."
I didn't answer; I'd no idea what I could say. Sometimes there are no words. As we stood there I watched Nerissina. She'd taken Taliesa from me and walked a little closer to the altar where the light was brightest. Now she was kneeling in that pool of light with our child standing in front of her. Taliesa was so curious, wanting to see everything, that only Nerissina's supporting hands kept her from falling as she turned about trying to look everywhere at once.
"She'll be a paladin," Gillaen suggested. "Already she loves the Light."
"No. She has the druid's power in her. It's in her blood."
"So long as that's all," he murmured, low enough for Nerissina not to hear.
"We are made by a bite, not by birth," I replied equally quietly. "And she will be kept safe."
Nerissina rejoined us then. I lifted Taliesa into my arms and we turned to walk away. None of us noticed a group that had entered until we were close to them. I heard my name and I looked up. Our parents stood there a dozen paces away staring at me in disbelief. My mother was the first to speak.
"They told us you were dead. We thought we'd lost both of you. Where have you been?"
I had no choice now; I had to explain.
"I was taken by the worgen," I replied softly. "I'm no longer the man you once knew."
"Oh, Arrentai, that doesn't make you any less our son."
She came forward, reached up to caress my cheek as she'd done so often in my childhood, then flung her arms around me and held me tight. There were tears in her eyes, but they were tears of joy. She truly didn't care what I had become.
Gillaen had been following behind us and had already pulled the hood of his cloak up to shield his eyes from sight. Now he strode past us and hurried from the cathedral; clearly he wasn't ready to reveal himself to our parents. My mother barely gave him a second glance as she released me from her embrace. Beside me I could sense Nerissina's anxiety. I put my arm round her and drew her close to my side.
"And who is this little one?"
"This is my daughter, Taliesa. Nerissina is her mother." I answered. My mother was equally accepting of Nerissina and what she was and she was delighted with Taliesa. But all this time my father had stayed back, watching silently, his face troubled.
"Father?" I said uncertainly.
"No! You are no son of mine while you have that accursed creature at your side."
My mother turned to remonstrate with him, but he turned and strode away. She was aghast at his reaction but Nerissina took it surprisingly well.
"He only said what a lot of people are thinking," she said. "They're afraid of us because they can't forget what we were and have done. I doubt we'll ever be fully redeemed in the eyes of the people."
We sat for a while and talked. At last my mother asked, "What will you do now?"
"I'll go back to Darnassus. It's a good home for our kind. We've been made welcome there and it'll be a safe place for Taliesa," I told her.
"I must go back to the army," Nerissina said. "My redemption requires that I serve those I once harmed."
A short while later we parted, my mother to return to her home and Nerissina and I to return to the barracks. As we walked I commented, "Gillaen was right not to reveal himself. He knew our father better than I did. I only hope this doesn't cause trouble for my mother."
"I think she's stronger than you know," Nerissina replied. "And now she knows of Taliesa it will give her hope for the future."
I stayed in Stormwind for a few days so Nerissina could have time with Taliesa before she had to return to duty. Gillaen spent some of the time with us but at others he made himself scarce. My mother made no more contact with us. Nerissina proved to be a natural mother and I felt it was a shame she would not be able to spend more time with her child. More than once I tried to persuade her to stay with us, but she always refused and eventually she explained.
"I can't, Arrentai. Because of what the Scourge did to me I would become a danger to you both. When they took my soul they inflicted me with a terrible hunger, a need to be always killing. It's like an addiction that can never be cured. So long as I stay with the army I can control it by fighting against the Scourge. If I don't it will drive me mad and I won't be able to control the killing. Now you see why people hate and fear us so much. Because of what we could do." She turned away and was silent for some moments watching Taliesa as she played nearby.
"I could never forgive myself if I harmed either of you, so please don't ask me to put us in that situation. You care for our daughter and just let me enjoy time with her when I can. It's the best way."
At the end of a week Gillaen and Nerissina were ordered to rejoin their regiment and I sailed for Darnassus with Taliesa. I found myself a home in the city and employed a Gilnean woman to look after Taliesa while I worked. When she was older I intended to train my daughter as a druid; but for now I'd keep her in the safest place I knew.