Terivanis perched near the room at the inn at the Shrine of Aviana where his sister was staying. He had chosen a branch that was back out of the way a bit, and hidden behind some other branches. He could clearly see the entrance to the room without being seen himself, or so he hoped. He had not slept. He had spent much of the morning and early afternoon thinking about the events of the previous night.
He had somehow returned to Mount Hyjal the night before last night. The details of that were sketchy, but he did recall traveling to Stormwind earlier during the day. He also remembered mixing alcohol with his potions, something he was sure he had learned his lesson about before. He recalled sitting on top of a building, scoffing at the humans below. He could also clearly recall walking into the tavern and renting a room for an hour.
He was quite sure he made a fool of himself that night and Phaa had pretty much confirmed as much last night. She had promised not to say anything just as Ornasse showed up. As much as he felt Kelanori was now Ornasse’s responsibility, the man had a knack for losing track of her. Thankfully this time she had only taken a short walk. She stayed only long enough to ask the worgen to bite him should he choose to relax and take a sip of his potions before she left with Ornasse to go to their room.
Phaa had shown interest in his potions. He gave an extra bottle to her, thinking he would be able to watch her, and make sure she was okay until it wore off. Things were going fine despite the fact the worgen kept growling. It was when Ornasse returned, and told the worgen to bite him that he was driven from watching over Phaa, and it was at that moment that the fire elemental appeared, racing towards the Shrine.
We all fled. He told himself. It wasn’t his fault that he didn’t help Phaa flee. He wasn’t sure why he felt guilty. She was able to make it away in time. They all went to Nordrassil while the guards at the Shrine moved to destroy the fire elemental.
The night had another twist shortly after arriving to safety near the inn under the tree. Terivanis had chosen to perch on top of the inn to watch, in case any other stray elementals wandered near. No, in truth, he wished to avoid the worgen.
It was from the rooftop that he watched as a woman approached Ornasse and his sister. She carried a small baby. She began speaking with Ornasse. Terivanis tried to get closer to hear more, but Ornasse bluntly told him to go away. He watched from a distance. The woman slapped Ornasse… Twice. He flew closer when she reached for her blades, stopping himself as the woman stopped herself. From what little he had heard and what he had seen, Ornasse’s previous lover was not missing any longer. Kelanori was visibly upset after the woman left, but Terivanis remained back as she left to return to the Shrine with Ornasse.
Terivanis did eventually return to the Shrine. Vajarra and Phaa were sitting on the steps. He found a spot to land nearby, quietly and out of sight. He didn’t feel like talking, his thoughts racing already with what he had observed at Nordrassil. He couldn’t help but overhear. They spoke of the elf that Phaa had taken a liking to. Vajarra admitted to Phaa that she never thought of anyone like that. It was probably just as well. He remembered then why he had frostweave. The night before, he had asked Vajarra to make him a shirt. She said she would need it to make one for him. He gave it to her. She mentioned wanting a potion that would cool someone down instead of the warmth that cinderbloom gave. He then ran off like a fool to get Icecap to make her a special batch. I can always blame the potions.
He returned later with the potion made. Vajarra gave him a shirt that she had already made. She did try the potion. Just a sip. He and she spoke for a while on the steps before he helped her to her bed and left to his current perch. He didn’t think he could sleep after all that even if he wanted to.
He had waited some time now. He watched Ornasse leave to go to the Front, but still he saw no sign of his sister. Perhaps she was sleeping. She would normally be awake by this time, but the past day had been far from normal. Perhaps the past weeks as well. He never thought his sister would ever take a mate, especially not so quickly as she did. It had certainly been fast. The fact that all three of his siblings had found mates within the past 6 months was a little unnerving. He rationalized that the recent cataclysm must have created a sense of urgency among those looking for a lifetime companion.
It was getting late in the day when he finally left his perch. He landed on the grass next to the cliff that overlooked the regrowth. Opening his pack he took out some stewed rabbit in a container, built a small fire and reheated it. He quickly put the fire out, shifted back to stormcrow form and flew up to the doorway to the room where his sister was staying. He knocked. There was no reply. It would be just his luck if she left before he reached his perch in the early morning hours.
He called out, “Kel?”
“Teri, come in.”
He entered the room. She sat upon the edge of the bed, her long white hair braided. She wore a fancy dress, as was usual. Her tear-stained face told him she was taking it much as he expected she would.
He sat down on the bed next to her and hugged her. She burst into tears. “I’m a slut.”
“We had this conversation before, and you agreed it takes more than one to be one of those.”
“She came back.”
“He came back here with you, that has to count for something.”
She frowned faintly. “You’re not helping. She had a baby.”
“And he still chooses to be with you. He loves you, not her.”
“I’m such a whore. I’m surprised Elune hasn’t smited me out of existence.”
Terivanis blinked.
Kelanori added. “What’s worse is I can’t stop. I love him. I can’t stop.” Tears ran down her face again.
“You’re mates. You’re supposed to love each other.” He paused before handing her the stew. “I didn’t see you all day. I thought you might be hungry.”
Kelanori looked at the bowl of stew. “I’m not hungry.”
Terivanis got up and placed the bowl on the table in the room.
“Do you remember Calador?” Kelanori asked.
Terivanis sat on the bench near the table. “Calador…”
“Calador Starblade. His mother was one of the priestesses in Feralas.”
“No.”
“I kissed him. The next day I found him kissing one of the sentinels. I feel like that. Except this time I’m the sentinel. I was so mad at him. I hated her.”
She probably put out. He thought. He said, “It’s natural for someone to be upset when they find out the one they thought was theirs, isn’t. I wouldn’t worry about her. She’ll be okay without him.”
“She said I could have him. Like that’s her decision…”
“That sounds like verification that she doesn’t want him.”
“I still feel wrong about it.”
“If you love him and he loves you, I don’t think it’s wrong. I will agree it’s a bit of a mess.” He looked at her. “I’m not sure how I can help. I know you don’t like potions.”
Kelanori twitched an ear then said, “I’d like to go to the moonwell. Do you have time to take me there?”
“Of course.”
“Okay.” She said while rising. She began to walk towards the door when she stopped and went back to the bed. She reached in a pack and pulled out some ink and paper. Terivanis waited patiently.
Dearest Ornasse,
I’m at the moonwell.
Love,
Kelanori
She folded the letter in two and left it sitting at the end of the bed.
