Ties That Bind

[shosen]

It’s surprising sometimes, where links made in friendship take you. Shivae and Tundrarunner, a friend of theirs needed help. Her spirit was shattered; how can I not sympathize with that?

Didn’t quite expect to be walking into a house of protective humans, stopped and questioned by a warlock with a bearing of power and authority. He and many others greet me when Tundrarunner and Shivae do so, however, and I stand with them, appraising and appraised, as so many more show up. Riding, or summoned, joining the group, standing and waiting, around the woman who lies on the ground.

There is some conversation, not much I can follow beyond our bit. More humans. A dwarf, one of the few I recognize, the one who had known Borel when he was alive. A gnome in armour standing, talking with the Night Elf who kneels by the woman’s side, quiet until instructions are given. And then…

Like flying, or falling, or, well, like dreaming.

And even here Zul’Farrak is guarded fiercely. Rage and pain, and we fought through it. Tundrarunner’s lightening, Shivae’s light, my shadow. Going through on faith, because we are supposed to bring back our part of the human’s spirit, yet none of us is a warlock, not anymore.

This is the spirit world, though, and we have our own guardian here.

A light figure casting shadows and sending enemies running in fear with just a word. Our team complete, and we can face the temple, free those who are prisoners in this place. Waves upon waves of angry trolls. Tundrarunner’s elements taking form and even these trolls have nothing on a fire elemental finally released from its totem. Light, shadow, fire, fear, wave after wave fall. A strong earth elemental standing with us at the end when the waves final stop.

Through the passage to our goal. The Chieftain, holding tolerance in intolerant hands. The other was unimportant, but we take them both down. A thin stream of dark light as the Chieftain falls. It always seems like such a simple thing, to be taking so much.

Shivae and Tundrarunner take responsibility for the piece recovered, and we stand there. We know we have to leave, time is not on our side. Once started, this can’t be stopped, we must all return, but…

“I had a baby boy, Gaark,” Shivae’s words quiet in the nearly empty room. “His name is Rhek.”

A smile.

I can’t really think of what to say, settle for a hug like always.

A confused look returns it, but only for a moment.

“Yeah, I’m a little different.”

A nod in agreement. Turning, sharing a look and salute with Tundrarunner. Then he walks away, and we watch him go. Gone, but never gone.

I can’t stand when we return. Maybe a muddle soul like mine shouldn’t wander so far, but it’s all right. We’ve succeeded; Shivae and Tundrarunner will see the piece safely back to their friend.

With the numbers that had stood in that room, with the determination I had seen in their eyes and stances, I’m not concerned.

I sleep.