The Gift - An Introduction

[Shixin]

Shixin smiled slightly to himself when he sensed the newcomer at his window. The room had been bathed in sunlight and the ever-present warmth of Silvermoon, that is, until his visitor alighted on the balcony, casting shadows where there were none before. He heard the dry rustle of large feathers and the deep breathing of a large creature; had he not been expecting this, Shixin might have felt a touch of fear at the close proximity of a beast so large. nnHe didn’t turn around immediately, instead allowing the visitor time to get a bit impatient. Shixin had found that impatience was universal in almost all intelligent creatures, and had proven to be a very useful tool. It made people more malleable, easier to manipulate. An impatient person would argue badly, bargain even worse, and, best of all, be quick to anger. This, of course, being the ultimate goal of such social interchanges, as anger is the quintessential manipulative emotion. An intelligent being that was also angry was very easy to control. Usually.nnWhen it appeared that Shixin was not going to acknowledge his visitor’s presence, the newcomer gave a loud harrumph to get the elf’s attention. Shixin smiled a little broader this time, knowing his labors would bear fruit. He turned suddenly, fixing a look of surprise on his face, hoping it would give the visitor the impression that he was unaware he had a guest.nn“Your Eminence, I didn’t hear you arrive,” intoned Shixin melodiously. “Welcome to my home.” With that, Shixin bowed low before his guest. As he did, he surveyed his guest’s features to confirm his hopes. The balcony to his chambers was filled with the form of a Great Dragonhawk, the largest Shixin had ever seen. The plumage on the large beast faded from blue to turquoise, with even the sharp beak a light azure color. The dragonhawk had to duck its head slightly to peer through the balcony doorway as its wings fluttered rhythmically in their never-ending fight against gravity. nn“Dispense with the pleasantries and do not insult my intelligence, Shixin’feng Waverider,” a deep, bass voice rumbled. “Your attempt to try my patience in the hopes of gaining the upper hand is unbecoming of an old friend.”nnShixin started at being caught out. He reminded himself sharply that this was no ordinary beast. “My lord Ord’Alan’alai, forgive me,” he said. “These days, it is hard to forestall habits and remember to trust. Even with old friends.”nnThe Dragonhawk Lord drew himself up to his full height, eyes flaring at the blood elf still bowing to him. He stayed this way for a moment as the silence stretched, before seeming to sag slightly into a more relaxed posture.nn“You Blood Elves are always playing at some game-- plotting and scheming, searching for some edge; it is your nature, now, I suppose.” A look of sadness passed across the withered face of the old beast, making him look even more ancient. He frowned, the light fading from his eyes as his gaze turned inward. “It wasn’t always like this, Little One. As High Elves, you were at least unified in your thirst for knowledge, for power. Now, your Houses plot against one another incessantly, squabbling over the smallest of magics, while the Scourge march relentlessly from the gates of Icecrown, like a black sea of Death that threatens to cover the whole world. Lor'themar Theron is caught like a between Sylvanas' Horde allies and the war against the Lich King. The sin'dorei are all but broken.” The Great Dragonhawk turned his gaze back to Shixin who had risen from his bow and had turned back to the task he had been performing when Ord’Alan had arrived. “It is for this reason the others did not want me to return here.”nn“And yet, here you are.” Shixin spoke quietly, not wanting to provoke his friend. “It is only a matter of time before Arthas Menethil is laid low and the power of the Lich King broken,” Shixin said matter-of-factly as he returned to packing his satchel. He was attempting to deflect his guest’s ire at the politics of his race. He turned to face Ord’Alan. “Perhaps you have brought me something this day that will stem the flood of the Scourge.”nnOrd'Alan simply glared at Shixin, then, slowly, he closed his eyes. A strange, two-toned hum came rumbling from deep within the beast's chest. A large, metallic cube appeared on the table in the middle of the room, halfway between Shixin and his guest. It was nearly the size of a child’s leather ball, perfectly square, and appeared to be seamless. The cube was made of a silvery metal that Shixin could not immediately identify, and the smooth sides bore intricate markings that made no indentation on the metal; at least, none that Shixin could detect. Shixin stared at the metal box as though it was a viper, capable of striking him from across the room should he move suddenly.nnA few moments passed and Ord’Alan spoke up, his tone gaining a regal, commanding quality. He said, “Shixin’feng Waverider, I give to you this artifact which has not been seen by your race for more than a thousand years. My blood-debt to your father is now paid. You, however, still have a price to pay for your part in this.” The Dragonhawk Lord’s eyes filled with light again, flashing intently. “You may call on me only once more, and that will be when you are ready to carry it to the edge of the Maelstrom and drop it in the sea there, to remain out of reach of you and your brethren for the remainder of time.” The giant draconic head snaked forward slightly as his eyes narrowed and his voice dropped even lower. “Regardless of your success or failure.”nnThe Great Dragonhawk turned slowly, preparing to leave. Suddenly on the verge of panic, Shixin roared, “Will you not even show me how to use it? How strong is it? How do you know it will work on him?” Fear suddenly gripped Shixin; fear of failure. . .or worse.nnOrd’Alan’alai paused, turning his gaze back to where Shixin stood quivering with emotion. “It is powerful enough that the Guardian of Tirisfal herself looked for it for years before giving up. She assumed that if she couldn’t find it, then it was hidden well enough to keep her enemies from finding it. Of course, she never thought to ask us if we knew where it was.”nnHe turned away from Shixin again. “As to how it works, I cannot say. Such knowledge has been lost for millennia, even before the artifact came into our keeping. It is my sincerest hope that you won’t find a way to make it work, even by accident. Perhaps especially by accident. Even the Ancients should have known better than to fool with such vile powers.”nn“Remember, Shixin,” Ord’Alan said he moved away from the balcony and rose higher into the air, “when you are finished with it, you will call on me once more. I will come to bear the box to the sea. Until then, your debt will remain unpaid. May the Sun ever light your way, Little One.” nnAnd with a mighty beat of his great wings, the Dragonhawk Lord was gone, fading before Shixin’s eyes, leaving him alone on the balcony with the metal box untouched on the table behind him.