Winter Ball Notes

The winter ball was great! I was a little worried… Actually no, I was a LOT worried. I was worried the ring wouldn’t fit, or that she wouldn’t like it, or that she’d say no for some reason, even if we did kind of talk about it beforehand. I don’t think I needed to worry as much as I did because she said yes! I think she’s really excited too. I hope she can still concentrate on her studies!

She’s going to go for her testing a couple of weeks after the holidays are over. I’m so excited for her! I’ll be going with her, so I really hope we can go to eat after to celebrate!  Magister Fairsong has already offered her work after she graduates, and this spring, as soon as it’s warm enough, he’s having more of the houses on his estate rebuilt. One of them will be for her! We’re already discussing what we want. She’ll need a nice work room and office. We want a nice bedroom too! I’m sure I want a small stable built onto the side for my dragonhawk. I want it enclosed so that it doesn’t get cold, and I can get to it from a door in the house.

Oh, that’s the other thing! I went to pick up my egg from the breeder just before the winter ball. I was told it would hatch in a couple of days, but it hatched the next day! I’m so glad I was there because I got to be the first person the hatchling saw. Now there’s a lot of work feeding it. Luckily, it eats like a bird, literally. That means for twelve hours a day, I need to feed it every fifteen minutes, but the other 12 hours, it sleeps. It’s only for a couple of weeks before it’s older and can eat different food that’ll take longer to digest. It’ll grow a lot during that time too. Its eyes barely open, and it’s only about the size of my hand right now. I carry it around a lot inside my shirt. That way I know it stays warm, and I can still go on patrol and see Des. I take its food with me and feed it every few minutes.

I still don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl because when they’re this young, it’s hard to tell. It’s a beautiful blue shade which is good cause that’s what I paid for! I was lucky to have enough left over after the ring, but I had been saving for months so I guess that worked out in my favor. I got her a really nice ring with gems woven in vines. They aren’t large gems, but I think it looks really nice the way it is. I guess there was another proposal at the winter ball and the other girl had a huge diamond ring. It must have cost a fortune! I really hope Des likes hers. I picked it, not because it was cheaper, but because I thought it was the best one for her. I guess if she doesn’t like it, we could always go back and get a different one.

 

***

 

She said yes! I couldn’t wait to tell my father, which worked out well since I invited my family to the Winter Ball at the school. Now he can contact her parents, and get everything arranged! I’m so happy! I’m hoping it’ll be fine for her to move in with me in the house I’ll have in the spring. I asked Magister Fairsong, and he said if we’re engaged it’s okay as long as her parents approve of it. I think if they approve of the engagement, they’ll be fine with it. I hope they are anyway! I guess they could be jerks, and say they won’t allow it until we’re married, which will be after her studies are done. I really love her so I hope they’ll understand that!

I’ve been trying to spend as much time with her as possible, but I also have to dedicate a lot of time to review right now. I’ll be taking my test in just a couple of weeks now. I’m really nervous about it! Everyone keeps telling me that I’ll be fine, but what if they ask something I don’t know? Or what if I just forget? I can’t count the number of times I’ve forgotten something temporarily, but then it comes back to me later and I feel dumb because I forgot! I guess it’ll probably happen, but hopefully it won’t happen too much!

 

***

 

I’ve done it. I’ve finished copying and translating the book. It took a long time because I’m not really good at writing, and I’m sure the translation is riddled with spelling errors. I’m also sure the mage paying us will be able to figure out what I mean. I’m much better with speaking common than I am with writing it.

Harrier is finished with the clocks, but we decided to stay for the winter ball for the free food. There’s bound to be a ton of leftovers that we’ll be able to take when we leave.

This morning, I spoke to the headmaster and told him how much I appreciated everything. I was being mostly honest, though he doesn’t know about the book. He allowed me to stay here free of charge as a student. I think a poor student, but he said that I might have some slight magic ability. I never knew it. I just kept insisting that I wanted to learn theory even if I wound up never able to cast, and he let me stay. I thought I’d be able to find the book, and leave quickly, but it didn’t work out that way. Then the whore had to be a little bitch about it. He found the book. Somehow, he became a fire mage and is the instructor here for that. I guess he’s not a whore anymore, but he recognized me. Being a teacher, he has greater access to rooms that students can’t get into. He managed to find the book, steal it, and let me copy it. He never left me alone with it, which I suppose he knew I’d take it and run if he had. At last, I’m finally done.

Anyways, after I told the headmaster that I appreciated everything, I went back to my lie about my mother. My real mother is long dead. I don’t even remember what she looked like, but my fake rich mother wants me to go back to Silvermoon and go to a very prestigious school there. I told him I’d try to get her to send money here for my tuition expenses for the time that he allowed me to study for free. I don’t know why, but I felt a little guilty saying that. It’s never bothered me to lie before. It shouldn’t now.

Anyway, he knows I’ll be leaving soon. I think he also knows that Harrier is done, so hopefully it doesn’t seem suspicious when we leave on the same day.

Wedding Shorts

Some really short stories I wrote that relate to the guests at the Confessor and Lani’s wedding.  Sorry they’re all out of order.

***

[[ This one takes place just after the Confessor and Lani’s wedding ceremony. ]]

Keyalenn Goldbrand lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.  He wasn’t sick.  That was a lie he had told in order to be excused from the festivities early.  While he was happy for the Confessor and Lani, and he did want to be there at their party, he couldn’t take the heartache he felt when seeing Linarelle.  During the ceremony, he had tried to ignore his feelings, but the more he tried , the worse he felt.  So, after the ceremony was over, he told the Magister he felt ill and that he was going to his room.

His stomach growled.  He could hear the music from the party in the garden outside his open window.  The thought occurred to him that he could go out, and get some food to bring back up.  Maybe no one would see him, but then, he thought he might not be that hungry.  It was just his stomach growling.  He didn’t really feel like eating.

If he did go, he might see her, and that was the deciding factor.  He lay still upon the bed, staring at the ceiling as tears welled up in his eyes.  He’d rather not take the chance.

***

[[ This one takes place the evening before the wedding. ]]

It was a different house, Aunt Lani’s house, and there was so much to explore.  Rylad was faster on his feet now than he was the last time he was here.  He ran from one room to the next.  The stairs were blocked, and the rooms were small, but it was fun.  Aunt Lani wasn’t there, but he wasn’t alone.  Two other elves sat at the table in the small dining room.  One of them used pencils on a book.  That wasn’t right.  Minn’da said it wasn’t good to draw on books.  The older elf here didn’t seem to know there was anything wrong with it.  Maybe it was okay here.

Rylad stopped running and climbed up on one of the chairs to stand on and see better.  The older elf reached over to help Rylad, but Rylad pushed his hand away.  Rylad doesn’t need any help!  The older elf still kept his hand near Rylad’s back without touching him.  That was okay.  Rylad hit the table with both hands and yelled in triumph.

He started to climb up on the table and reached for one of the pencils.  That was when the older elf picked him up.  He took the pencil out of Rylad’s hands and handed it to the other elf who was still sitting with his book open.  The other elf took it.  Rylad screamed.  They took his pencil!  He started kicking and flailing his arms as he continued to cry.  Where was Minn’da?  He cried out her name.  Maybe she would come for him.  He didn’t want to be picked up.  He arched his back and cried louder as the older elf carried him to the other room.

Where was Minn’da?  Where was Saff?  He cried for both.

“Shh.  It’s okay.  Look, here’s your blanket.”  The older elf said as he sat in a chair and pulled the blanket, which had a little tiger on it, over Rylad.  His voice was gentle and soothing.  Rylad forgot why he was crying as the older elf rocked him back and forth.  His eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep.

***

[[ The last three take place the day after the wedding. ]]

Perothis had arrived home late the night before, and wasn’t able to speak to his parents then as they were already asleep.  He woke up early this morning, and started planning what he would say to them.  It wasn’t that they were against him becoming a ranger some day, and preferably, that’s what Perothis would like eventually anyway.  For now, he was working, and training in the city.  He was supposed to be saving up money for further training, but Desdeyliri had introduced him to the ranger captain in the Ghostlands the night before.  He’d be able to join them and receive free training.

Of course, the obvious benefit was that he would be much closer to Des, and would be able to see her more often.  Another obvious benefit would be the free training and immediate work.  He was already saving up to get his own place as well, so being able to do that without worrying about further training would be ideal.

He did think he would miss the city, just a little.  He’d miss his friends and his parents, and maybe even his sister a little too.  He wasn’t sure about buying a house in the Ghostlands either.  Most of them were in need of extensive repair.  It was either that or build his own home, and he didn’t know much about building or fixing!  Of course, the captain had mentioned that he would be able to stay at the ranger building.  That would do to start with.

He heard his mother call out his name.  Breakfast was ready.  He took a deep breath.  It was time to tell them.

***

Gaelardrim had always preferred to think of himself as being a logical person.  If something didn’t make sense, he didn’t consider it an option.  He was surprised then by his recent thoughts concerning one of the students at the mage school. There was no doubt her parents would not approve of her seeing a ranger.  Mage students often came from the more affluent homes, those that could afford the tuition.  They typically didn’t approve of their daughters running about with guys who didn’t have much, like rangers.  Gaelardrim knew that first hand.  His own family had been wealthy.

Of course, he didn’t have it now.  The money was tied up in the Silvermoon courts as they decided exactly where it should go.  Gaelardrim wasn’t sure he wanted it, even if they did decide it belonged to him.  The mansion he had lived in, sat locked and rotting on one of the streets where most of the homes were in the same state and situation.  His family was gone now.  He was the only one left.  The only one who saw that it didn’t make sense.  The only one who had refused to go.

And yet, while he could see that he was setting both himself and Maerista up for heartbreak, he didn’t understand how he could still feel so powerless to stop it.  He should be able to just say he couldn’t see her anymore and let that be that, but the very thought made him shake his head, almost in panic.  He wanted to be with her, but it didn’t make sense.  He had even kissed her!

“I love her.”

“What was that?”  Ty asked.  They had been practicing at the targets as they did every day.

Gaelardrim looked up, unaware that he had spoken out loud until Ty said something.  “Oh, nothing.  That was a nice shot.” he said, nodding towards the target.

Thankfully, Ty didn’t question any further, and allowed the conversation to turn towards their practice.

***

They’re hiding something.  I know it.  That was the one thought Vallindra kept having since meeting the boy her sister had adopted.  They had told her that he was a local orphan.  A local orphan who happened to have the same name as her dead brother.  She would have been able to accept that as the truth, if she had never met him, but the moment she saw that dark red hair she had her doubts.  His face was too close to how Sanimir looked at the same age, but he was far too young to be the real Vaildor, besides, she remembered very well that night over a hundred years ago when he had died as a baby.  She frowned slightly.  No.  I won’t feel guilty for that.  I was just a kid.

She shook her head.  Whatever had happened then was done, and in the past.  That didn’t change the fact that there was a boy here who looked like he belonged in the family and had the same name.  She was determined to get to the bottom of it.  She picked up her pen and began inking a letter to the Spire in Silvermoon where they kept the records.

Keyalenn’s Notes and Letter

• The painting came out great.  I wasn’t sure about hiring a kid to do it, but I told him what I wanted and he did exactly what I had in mind!  It was really amazing, and I showed it to the other guys before taking it to Lin.
• It wasn’t easy to travel with.  I can’t teleport very far yet, so I had to walk with it.  I didn’t want the Magister to see it either so I had to sneak out of the school with it.  I don’t think anyone saw me leave, though Vyn and Sal knew I was going.  I thought about taking a hawkstrider, but I didn’t think that would work very well, not with a big painting to hold onto.
• I think she really liked it.  She said it was nice.  I hope she hangs it up where she can see it and think about me.  
• I think Tylenthis is jealous because she likes me more now.  She danced with him mostly at the spring ball, but she did dance with me.  Now she has a painting from me, and I bet he got her nothing.
• I had some of the soup while I was there, but it wasn’t as good as Tik’s.  I couldn’t stay long though because I really didn’t want to get in trouble with Magister Fairsong.
• I really think she likes me!

• She pretended to like the painting.  She doesn’t like me, not like that.  Just as a friend.  I think she must like that ranger more than me, but she just doesn’t want to say it.
• I don’t even know what to say.  She says she wants to be friends, but I don’t think that will work out very well because I want more, and just being around her, I want more.
• She said I was too young.  My mother is 50 years older than my father, and Lin isn’t even that much older than me.  She kept saying it wouldn’t work out though.  I don’t know why she says that if she doesn’t even try.
• I know there’s spells that affect the age of the caster, but I don’t know them.  I’ve heard of ones that they teach just before you go for testing, like they’re some secret only good mages get or something.  The only ones I heard of only keep the mage younger though, so that they can live longer.  I think there has to be one that makes the mage older, like a reverse of the staying young spell.
• I asked Magister Fairsong, but he said, and I quote, “If such a spell existed, don’t you think I would have used it on myself?” Then he went on about how people assume he’s too young to be the headmaster of a school, and things like that.  Then he said that even if there was a spell, it would shorten lives, and probably wouldn’t be a very acceptable practice, because it’s just a spell on the body, not the brain too.  Apparently, if you age your body ten years, you can’t gain ten years of experience living.  I guess he’s right about that.
• He also talked to me about my book money.  He wrote to my parents.  I didn’t tell him he could do that!  Now I feel stupid because I spend it all on a painting that she hates because it has my stupid, too-young face in it.  I didn’t tell him that though.  He said my parents said they gave me the money for the books.  I told him I lost it, and he gave me that look, but I stuck to it and told him it was in my bags when I left Silvermoon, but not when I arrived here.
• He finally agreed to let me do work around the school to pay off the books.  I’m supposed to wash dishes for Tik and keep the classrooms swept and clean.
• So now I’m lying to my teachers too for her, and she doesn’t even want me.  I need to write home and lie to my parents as well.  The Magister will do it for me anyway, but this way they hear it first from me.

***

Dear Mother and Father,

Hi.  I wanted to write because Magister Fairsong said he told you about my book money, and I know you gave it to me, and I was supposed to be careful, but somehow I lost it between Silvermoon and here.  The Magister has agreed to let me work for what I owe for the books, so you don’t have to send more.  I’m really sorry.

I was hoping to ask if you could get me back into my old school still.  I know you both mentioned that the headmaster said he might consider it, but I wanted to stay here, but now I’m not sure.  I’m really homesick after all.  I don’t want to be out here anymore, and I really want to come home.

– Keyalenn

Fairsong Academy Spring Ball (Part 1)

Gaelardrim’s Log:

The food was good, and I think I had a decent night.  I didn’t dance with anyone, but it was nice watching other people dance while I ate, and the music was good.  I spoke with one of the students for a good part of the night.  He likes one of the other students but he’s too afraid to ask her.  Maybe he did after I left.

I’m so full.  I have no idea how I’m going to get up for patrol tomorrow.

***

Xarola’s Notes:

• At first, I thought the night would just be kind of nice in that I’d be able to read outside, eat fancy little foods and watch people dance. I wore my only fancy robe, and went to find a seat. I took the book I’ve been re-reading outside with me, and sat on one of the benches.  It’s one of the fire books from the library here at the school.  I wish there were more books on the subject, but at the same time, I find reading them a second time insightful after I’ve learned more in class.
• Maerista sat near me and we talked for a bit.  She wanted to get a boy to notice her.  She wouldn’t say which one, but I told her about a book I had read that was about seducing men.  I hope she never tells my mother I read something like that.  I mean, it’s not that I’ve even used it before, but I remember what I read.  She didn’t think it would work, so I demonstrated. I think it did work. I certainly had Sal’s attention.
• I think Vyn noticed me too.  Well, I know he did because he asked me to dance.  I’ve never really danced before, just when they taught us at school, and that’s been a few years.  I stepped on his feet a few times, but he hadn’t really had many lessons either.  It was fun.
• I need to write to mother a letter soon and let her know I’ll be home for a few days before the summer semester starts.  She just wrote to say the payment had been made, though it was tight.  I really hope the Magister doesn’t raise the price of the tuition here.

 

***

Vaildor’s Essay:

How I Spent my Weekend by Vaildor Lightmist

It was a good weekend, and I had a lot of fun. It wasn’t a boring weekend like all the others because we did different things.

First, Lani took me to Silvermoon.  We went to one of the robe shops and she let me pick out one for the ball.  I found one in a style that I liked.  Lani thought the brown one looked best with my hair, but I think brown is boring, so I got the blue one.  I like the blue one better because I like the color blue.  It is the color of the sky when the sun isn’t covered by clouds.

After that, we went to the Spire.  It looked really fancy and official all over inside and it took forever for people to see us.  Lani said that was normal because they’re busy there.  I didn’t think it looked like anyone was really that busy, but anyway we had to wait.  Lani was able to get papers to prove who I am, but they’re fake papers.  She said Hethurin helped and on the papers he is listed as my father even though he’s really my brother.  Lani is worried because if our mother finds out about this paper existing, she might believe it, but we only want the people at the spire to believe it.  They did.  She had to fill out a form, and give them the papers to check.  Hethurin had some official letter done for them to say he was giving up his parenting of me or something.  Anyway, they said it all looked to be in order, which I think is good because Lani looked like she was about to pass out! They said they would send mail to us in a few weeks after they processed the application for adoption. That’s exciting because it means that I’ll officially have a home here now.

I wanted to visit my real father while we in Silvermoon, but Lani said he would have appointments so he’d be busy.  She reminded me that I’d see him at the ball, so that was okay.

Then we went home and it was a normal evening. I worked on one of my paintings before going to bed.

The next day was the ball, and there was a lot of preparation going on at the school.  Lani let me go up early.  I got to help Hethurin while he finished enchanting the instruments to play music.  I don’t understand music at all, but I think he’s pretty good with it.  It sounded okay anyway.  We had to move the instruments to the garden then.  I helped Tik put the table cloths on, and get lunch ready.  Terellion was around the kitchen, but he doesn’t like me so I tried to be not in the kitchen much.  Tik had a lot of work to do after that, and Hethurin wanted to eat more so I thought maybe there were too many people in the kitchen so I went back to the house.

Lani was still there and she was getting ready for the ball. She said we had some time yet so I worked on my friendly dragon painting for Hethurin.  He says not all dragons are mean and I believe him.  He’s older than me so he must know.

When it was closer to supper, it was time to go back to the school.  I took the painting with me so I could give it to Hethurin.  He likes it!  It seemed like everyone was there already.  Isturon was there.  I was glad to be able to see him again.  Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like growing up with him.  We talked a long time, just him and me and Hethurin, then Hethurin said he had to go change, but I saw him later in the kitchen.  He wore pants.  I was surprised because I thought he only had robes.

Then the best thing happened!  Lani came inside from the garden and showed us a ring.  The Confessor asked her to marry him!  She said yes.  She said she doesn’t know when yet, or where, but I think they should figure it out soon.

That was my weekend.  I had a good time and I wish every weekend was that much fun.

***

Keyalenn’s Letter:

Dear Kindroth,

You’ll forgive me for not writing recently.  I’m sure you’ve been busy with final exams yourself, so you understand.  Things are going well here at the school in the Ghostlands, though I do still miss the city at times, as well as you and our group of friends.  My parents could probably pull some strings and get me back into the school, but I don’t really mind it out here.  I know I complained a lot at first, but I’m learning a lot.  Maybe, despite hating all they said about it being a quieter place to study, with less distraction, I’ve come to realize they were right.

It’s not all studying all the time either, though it does make up a greater part of my week.  I’m greatly interested in the frost lessons, so I take time to make sure I do all my exercises right.  I don’t want to miss something that may be important in a future lesson!  Despite that, I do have time off.  A lot of times, I go up to the attic rooms.  There’s only seven students here, but we all have our own bedrooms, and two of them are in the attic.  They have a nice little study area between the rooms, so I often go up there.  Often, we wind up talking instead of studying.  It’s just four male students here at the school.  One of them is way ahead of the rest of us though, and he doesn’t really hang out with the rest of us, so it’s more like just us three.

There was a spring ball this past weekend.  I’ll be home to visit soon, and I’ll do my best to stop by to say hello!  My parents were able to come out for the ball, and they met with my teachers, and paid for the summer semester, so my visit home will be short.  The ball was really nice.  The pretty ranger danced with me, but she was here with one of the other rangers.  Still, it was nice to dance with her for one dance.  The girls here at the school are either taken, mean, or more interested in books.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

– Keyalenn

Art

Some recent commissions done by Meo aka Sirmeo on deviant art.  I absolutely love these.

Nessna Lightmist

Xarola Trailsong

Keyalenn Goldbrand

Winter’s Veil 3

Arancon Firewind remained asleep on the lumpy, inn bed late into the morning.  The light shining on his face through a small window finally woke him.  It was that holiday again.  Everywhere he went, there were reminders.  There was mistletoe in doorways.  The inn had a tree put up in the dining area, and they had put colorful bulbs around the outside of the inn.  Arancon rolled over and reached for the drink he had left on the bedside table.  There was still a little left.  He tipped his head back to get the last drops out.  The boy had found a new way to irritate him.  He had spoken with the innkeeper and the barmaid about just how much Arancon was allowed to charge to the room.  He had a limit of barely enough to have meals and a couple of drinks.  He had thought about skipping a meal or two, but the innkeeper had brought him his food whether he wanted it or not.  That boy had put limits on him, and who was he to do such a thing?  The boy was the reason he couldn’t walk well in the first place.  If he hadn’t been selling himself to that violent and dangerous mage, Arancon’s leg would have never been burned by a bolt of intense arcane energy.

Arancon pulled himself to his feet and started getting dressed, sniffing his clothes as he took them off a pile near the bottom of the bed.  He threw a couple aside before finding a tunic that wasn’t too bad.  The boy was also the reason he was alone for this holiday.  He’d thought last year was bad, but it was worse with all the reminders this year.  The boy had taken her.  Worse, he’d taken her away, and let her die alone in a strange land.  If that wasn’t enough, he hadn’t even bothered to tell Arancon until weeks afterwards.  Supposedly, it was all because Arancon couldn’t take care of her.  That rotten kid took her, and said he was going to provide all she needed.  A lot of good that did.  She died.

Alone, and in a strange land.

Arancon promised himself to make the boy’s day especially miserable as he started looking for a relatively clean pair of pants.

***

They were here.  Keyalenn Goldbrand jumped up from his seat he had chosen to watch from in the library.  There was an excellent view of the front gate from the library windows, and he didn’t want to miss his parents’ arrival at the school.  He ran to the doorway, and watched as they handed over the reins of their hawkstriders to Tik.  Tik temporarily tied them to the fence as he showed the guests to the front door.  Keyalenn hugged them both as soon as they were inside.  He was happy with his studies here in the Ghostlands, but he wouldn’t lie that he was homesick at times.  He took their cloaks and placed them on the rack which had been put in the front room, as Tik headed back outside to take the hawkstriders to the stable.

“How was the trip?” Keyalenn asked as he started leading them on a tour of the school.

His father answered, “It was good.  The way your mother talked, I thought we were going to run into all sorts of nasty things.”

“Well, I was told there were some awful things in the woods in the letters I received.” his mother replied, looking at Keyalenn as he lead them through the dining room.

“There are!  There just aren’t as many now.  The spiders aren’t so active in the winter.  It’s too cold.”  Keyalenn lead them past the stairs.  “My room is up there, but over here first.  See, this is the main classroom.  There’s another on the other side of the house, but this is where Magister Fairsong teaches us.”

“Speaking of the school,” his father said as he looked around the room, “Did you want to spend the rest of the year here?  I know you weren’t sure when we first sent you out here.  Fortunately, one of your mother’s patients in Kalimdor actually works at your old school.  He was so grateful for your mother’s healing that he offered to help get you back in there.  Your disciplinary record would be cleared, and you would have a second chance.”

Keyalenn blinked, unsure he was hearing his father right, “Back in Silvermoon?”

Both of his parents nodded.  His mother added, “There wouldn’t be any spiders outside, or ghouls, or whatever else may be here.  You’d be able to stay at home again and see all of your friends too.”

Keyalenn frowned in thought.  He would be able to see his friends, but they were the same friends who had dared him to pull the pranks that got him expelled in the first place.  They were the same friends who encouraged him to join their parties instead of study.  He looked at his parents.  While it would be nice to live at home again, there was a certain freedom being at the school.  Though the Magister did have rules, he wasn’t watching over them constantly.  “I think I want to stay here.”

“Are you sure?” his father asked.

“I’ve learned more here than I did in Silvermoon.  I’ll still be home for breaks though.  Oh, come this way.  I’ll show you my practice room.” Keyalenn smiled as he led his parents down the hall.

***

Gaelardrim unbuckled his armor and dropped it on the lumpy bed in his room at the inn.  He wasn’t sure what to expect here, but he didn’t think he really needed it in town.  Especially not if there were women wearing fancy dresses in the dining room.  She had seemed so familiar.  He paused again, wondering if he should go back down to try to talk to her once more.  He was sure he knew her from somewhere.  Perhaps they had met at one of the parties he had attended in Silvermoon last summer.  He thought that was it, but she had made no indication that she recognized him.  Could he be imagining it?  He couldn’t go back down now.  He’d look like an idiot, or worse, a creep, trying to convince her that she had to know who he was, when clearly, she didn’t.

He carefully picked up the armor and set it on the table in the room.  Old, dented armor wasn’t any way to impress a girl anyway, though he hadn’t meant to meet any tonight.  He frowned as he sat on the bed.  Tomorrow, he’d start looking for the ranger captain to see if there was any work to be done.  Maybe the next time he saw her, she’d remember him.

Letters Home

Minn’da,

I hope all is well in Silvermoon.  I’ve been unable to send you mail directly as I am still staying in Stormwind, though things have gone back to normal here.  The increased security has lessened now.  I heard they got the orc who caused it all, and that is good.  A lot of people left for that alone, but now that they are back, Stormwind has gone back to how it was before all of this happened.

I hope they have not bothered you too much about my whereabouts.  I know they must still be looking for me, and that I will likely never be able to return home.  I’m getting along just fine here though.  I’ve made some friends who don’t hold my race against me, though I do have to exercise extreme caution while going anywhere.  I pass well enough as a tall human if I wear a hat and tuck my ears in it.  Lately, I’ve been making sure they press against my head by putting a bandana on first, then the hat.  I can wear a cowl that way sometimes too.

My landlady is blind as a bat and has seen me without a hat, bandana or any head covering one day a few months ago when she came to collect the rent.  I was afraid she might still see my eyes, but I didn’t look directly at her.  It seemed to have worked.  She never said anything, and no guards showed up, though I was on the look out for them over the next few days!

I feel safest with my friends.  I do hope that if I’m discovered, they deny ever knowing me.  I wish not to cause them trouble, though, even more, I wish not to be discovered.  I have had some close calls, such as with the landlady.  Children and gnomes are able to see my eyes if I’m not careful.  I’ve learned never to let my guard down.  Even while at home, I’m careful about looking out at the street.  In the winter, there is often frost on the windows, but I keep the curtains drawn all the same.

Hopefully this letter will not take too long to get to you.  One of my friends has agreed to leave the city and send it through some neutral acquaintances.

Again, I hope all is well.

Love,

Alinash

***

Dear Minn’da,

I was so relieved when I got the letter from father saying that you had made it back from Kalimdor okay.  Hopefully, there wasn’t that much work for you to do there, but I do know of a few people who were injured, so I guess you must have had some work.  Did your unit go in the tunnels?  One of Magister Fairsong’s sisters was hurt really bad in the tunnels, and the baker lost his father.  The butler was there, but came back with a bunch of stitches on his head.  One of the Magister’s friends stayed here for a while when he came back after being trampled by dinosaur or a dragon or something.  I guess there were both there!

We’re in Shattrath right now, staying on the Scryer’s Tier.  I’m sure you remember it from your own travels.  I think the most impressive thing is the library.  Was it so impressive when you were here?  I really like the city, but I was kind of hoping we would go to Silvermoon first.  I’ve missed you!  Maybe our next trip will be home.

My studies are going well.  I’ve improved a lot with arcane since coming to the new school.  It is weird not being able to visit home more often.  Maybe when I learn how to teleport.  I’m already learning the basics.

I do hope to see you soon!

Your son,

Keyalenn

Sim’dorei Screenshots – Fairsong Academy’s Student Practice Rooms

On the western side of the house are the student practice rooms.  While each room looks similar, the students have decorated a little to their own personal tastes and specialties.

Five student practice rooms. The Magister would be able to take a couple more students if he ever cleans out the two rooms on the eastern side.

 

Overview of Xarola’s practice room. Hers is the newest room set up for the students.

Xarola hasn’t had time to decorate much.

 

Overview of Renner’s practice room. Since Renner isn’t really a student, it gets used less than the others. It is used for Hethurin’s lessons in chronomancy.

Renner’s practice room again.

 

Keyalenn’s practice room overview.

A couple of views in Keyalenn’s room.

 

Desdeyliri’s practice room overview.

Views in Desdeyliri’s practice room.  Complete with Nosey’s cage!

 

Maerista’s practice room overview.

Views in Mae’s room. She has the funny potion mixing thing.

 

 

Stories

Aranae Lightmist sat at the top of the stairs along one of the paths at the Peak of Serenity.  Her foot still hurt when she walked, but with the help of her staff, she was able to get around okay.  They had tried to convince her to stay, to go home with the rest of the elves.  She was certain Lani had already written home about her by that point.  She was glad no one had come to take her back to Silvermoon before that orc had been found.  She was free to go then, as it was time to take down the healer’s tent.  She had slipped away from the group heading towards the portals back to Silvermoon and was fortunate enough to find a mage who knew how to make a portal to Pandaria.

Lani had done everything she could to keep Aranae there, even telling her that Nessna had been severely injured.  Aranae wasn’t sure how much Lani was exaggerating.  She could make a big deal out of a stubbed toe sometimes.  Aranae decided it would be safer to send a letter home after she returned to the Peak.  Her foot would be healed soon, and she would be able to leave if they came looking for her here.

She smiled a little as she watched the monks training in the area below the steps.  She wasn’t sure where she would go when she could leave, but she did hope to see Tsi Ku again.  Maybe Master Cheng would know where to find her.

***

Theronil Whitemorn woke.  It was still dark, but it was something he had become accustomed to in Kalimdor.  There, it had been most convenient to wake early and take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures.  It was less convenient in Shattrath.

He put his arm around Isandri, who was still asleep, and rested his hand on her belly.  If the baby was awake, he or she wasn’t kicking.  Theronil kissed Isandri’s cheek.  They would soon be parents.  With that would come responsibility.  He wanted to have everything ready, but the one thing he didn’t have yet was work.  He had, before being drafted to support the efforts in Kalimdor, found the perfect shop to set up as his own.  He opted to wait until returning from Kalimdor, and when he did, the shop had already been sold to someone else.  He had to start his search all over again.

For now, he would try to sleep a little longer.  He cuddled close to Isandri and closed his eyes.

***

Keyalenn Goldbrand wrote a few more lines in his notes before making a slight change in the spell and recasting.  The Magister had given him lots to work on lately, though the total amount of work had seemed to lessen in the past week.  Keyalenn hated it all the same, no matter how much there was of it.  He didn’t see the point of casting multiple spell variations, and writing down the results if you already knew what would happen.  The worst part was that the Magister always checked his notes, and took notice if precise descriptions and measurements were not used.

Then there was Des.  He was able to finish earlier over the past week, and had been able to make it to supper in the grand dining hall instead of eating alone in his practice room.  She was almost always there.  Had she been looking at him and flipping her hair on purpose?  She had, so far, managed to ignore any of his advances, or so he thought.  Perhaps he had been wrong.

***

Lanthiriel Lightmist  walked down the stairs of her new home.  Rylad had woke early this morning.  She decided to stay awake after helping Nessna tend to him.  Nessna would need help daily as she recovered from her injuries.  She had already made so much progress since leaving the tent in Kalimdor where she had almost died.  Lani hadn’t told anyone about that, and all her help had been out of the tent at that point, but Nessna had stopped breathing for almost a minute.  She really had almost died.  Lani was relieved to see her doing better each day.

Lani walked into the kitchen, and put a log on the fire in the stove.  The stove in the kitchen served two purposes in this home.  It was used both for cooking and for heat, and she needed it for both right now.  The nights were getting cooler, and breakfast needed to be made.  It was a small house so only the heat of one fire was needed to warm it.  Tik had told her that it was previously the home of the stable master, and that the man had spent more time in the stable than in the house.  He had truly loved the animals that he cared for.

Lani got out the eggs that she had bought the day before.  She wondered briefly if there were chickens here before as she cracked them and started making breakfast.

Letters

Dear Mother,

I hope all is going okay in Kalimdor.  I’m doing okay here in the Ghostlands.  Sometimes I think the magister just doesn’t like anything I do.  You know my tendency to doodle?  Doesn’t everyone do that?  Anyway, he saw my doodles and didn’t like them.

He has a butler who was sent to fight.  He just came home with a nasty injury recently.  I thought before that the sooner you came home the better, but now I don’t think so.  I think if you come home with everyone else, that’ll be the best.  I do hope that is soon though.

I’m doing well in my studies, despite the magister hating me.  He keeps giving me more and more work to do.  I was in my practice room until almost bedtime last night!  Luckily, the workers here often bring food to the practice rooms for us, so I didn’t miss supper.

It’s starting to get cold here at night.  My room is above the big sitting room with the big fireplace though, so I get some heat from that.  I think some of the other rooms have their own fireplaces.  Mine’s too small for that.

We haven’t visited Silvermoon much recently.  Maybe I’ll see if one of the other students will ask the magister.  I have a feeling that if I ask, he’ll just make us wait longer.

Be careful, and come home with everyone else, which I hope is soon!

– Keyalenn

***

[[ This letter arrives from Pandaria to Shattrath along with a small package to the Whitemorn household. ]]

Theronil,

I hope all is well.  I’ve been doing well in Pandaria.  I’ve been working with the local metals and gems here.  I’ve sent along some ear cuffs for Isandri.  I hope she likes them.

The people here are very strange.  They’re big bears and have fur all over, and sharp teeth.  They seem welcoming though, for the most part.  Once in a while you meet a grumpy one who doesn’t like “outsiders”.  I can’t say I blame them much.

Kit and I have been staying in a place called the Jade Forest.  I’m not sure if it’s because trees are green, or there’s a jade mine here.  Maybe neither, or maybe both!  It is nice here though.  Sometimes we make trips to the Vale.  Our last trip came with a shock.  It was a beautiful place, a bit like Eversong, but now it’s been destroyed.  There’s a big blackened hole in the ground where the pools used to be.  I heard multiple sources describe it as that orc’s doing.

I also heard that there is a war on Orgrimmar now.  Do you know anything about that?  I suppose if there is one, you might be there now.  If that’s the case, hello Isandri.  I hope you’ll forward this letter to my brother and that you like your ear cuffs!  And Thero, if you are there, be careful.  This orc is extremely dangerous.  What happened in the Vale is a testament to that.

– Teniron Whitemorn

***

Dear Lanthiriel,

Forgive me for not writing sooner.  Things have been rather hectic here since most healers have gone to Kalimdor.  I have not only taken on your patients, but it seems half of Silvermoon’s patients as well.  Not many healers were left behind.  Isandri’s help has been invaluable these past weeks, but I refuse to let her stay past the time she would have normally left.  On the other hand, I find myself staying in the office later and later.

Not only are we taking care of the patients who were already here, but we need to keep a few emergency spots open each day.  Many of the people being sent home due to injuries still need a healer’s attention.  I’ve heard news from Kalimdor from some of them.  Lately, they’ve been saying that they’re in the city now.  If that’s true, then maybe it won’t be much longer.  I worry about you being there.

Your mother is still staying with her sister, and Esladra is with her.  I had hoped Esladra would want to help out in the office as well after her studies were done for the day, but I’ve heard little from either of them.  Esladra did mention that she only has one class now.  The few instructors who stayed behind are still giving their classes.  Her apprenticeship is on hold for the time being.

Have you heard from your brother recently?  I want to get out to visit him, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.  I’ve been scheduling some patients for the weekend!

I am doing well, just very busy.  I hope you are doing well too.

– Isturon

***

My Love, Isandri,

I hope all is well at home.  Our camp is usually quiet, though there has been a steady increase in injuries being brought in over the past few days.  The news is, they’ve made it past the gate, but the orc hasn’t been found yet.  My group is still holding its position as a supply camp, so that’s good news.  If they’ve cleared out the front of the city and still want to keep us at the same distance, that’s fine with me!  Our mage, the one who conjures our food, said it would be more difficult for the others if the spot to make the portal to kept changing.  I guess that makes sense a bit.

Is the baby growing well?  I’m so excited to hear it might be a boy.  How sure are they?  I’d love a girl too.

I miss you so much.  I think Arelanis still misses you too.  She’s been a good dragonhawk though, and has saved us from the mage’s poorly conjured food a couple of nights by bringing us boars to cook and eat.  I miss your cookies too.

Is everything okay in Shattrath?  How is everyone else doing?  I hope they’ve been coming to see you and make sure everything’s okay.

I love you.  You’re so beautiful.  I can’t wait to be home to hold you again.

Love,

Thero

***

Confessor Morthorn,

Hi!  I wanted to let you know that Tik is here at home, and is doing well.  He’s taken up doing most of his normal duties, except killing the spiders.  I’m still doing that.  He and Terellion worked out their duties together, and they both decided I should have less cake.

I don’t like that last part, but I’m glad he’s back.  I think he’s very lucky, considering.

My students enjoyed the trip to Shattrath.  The library is always the highlight of the trip there, but I’m trying to figure out a way to safely take them out of the city next time.  With more students now, I’m afraid I might lose one!  One in particular likes to wander off a fair bit, and usually finds trouble when he does.  I can only hope he resists the temptation to do so on any field trips there.  I wouldn’t want him to be dinner for a Netherdrake!

Oh! Tik went to get the recipes from the death knight.  I guess death knights don’t know how to write or something, because he refused to put it on paper.  He did let Tik watch and take notes as he made some though, so now we have the recipes in the house.  I bet they’ll be the best cakes ever.  It’s too bad they won’t let me eat more of them!

I did have the talk with the new hired person, and we are getting to know each other better.  He thought I hated him!  I don’t know where he got that idea.  We’re not being too serious yet, but oh he’s so tempting.  I think it’s better to take it slower though.  He hasn’t done things like that before, so that’s even more reason to take it slow.  That, and I’m nervous about it, for a variety of reasons.  He’s a bit younger than me, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be the first time for him.  I want it to be good for both of us, and I think we should be in love.  I don’t know how to make sure of that though.  I want him to stay here, is that like or love?  Is it when we say it?  I don’t know.  I like him a lot, and I don’t want him to leave, but maybe I don’t know him well enough to love him yet.  I don’t think he feels that for me yet either.  Maybe soon.

We haven’t been very open about our relationship with the others.  Sometimes I feel like I’m a bad secret to him.  I understand that it’s probably not best to tell everyone, but I don’t like having to sneak around about it.  I want to be able to kiss him in the sitting room by the fire there, and not have to worry about who sees us!  I guess if he loves me someday, we’ll tell people.

Anyway, that’s news from here.  Tell Lani her house is almost ready!  I hope everyone is back home soon!

– Magister Hethurin Fairsong