The New Girl in town...

[Theotaz]

Part 1: Theotaz gets a surprise!

The happenings of the previous days had been telling to Him after the return from Grim'Bator and the slaying of Onyoxia. Kheliosrham had ghosted in and out of the old hall as was her want on various errends for the houshold and missions from sponsors unmentionsed. He belived she was acting directly under War Chief Thralls orders since the falling out with hellscreams boy. Theotaz personally regretted what had happened but Thrall had quietly allowed Hellscream the war leadership. Agemodus, the forsaken child who had noticibly grown for the first time in years had couciled in the wisdom that all children sometimes have that Thrall had a city and a people to govern and that Hellscreams youthfull energy would serve the horde though he was no leader of the people.

Yesterday Theotaz had travelled to Dalaran to deliver a packet of letters to the Violet Citidel from Thralls ministers. There he had had seen the wizard Rhonin's lady, The High Elf Ranger Vereesa Windrunner, sister to Sylvanus. She recognized him and though she has no love for the Horde had bid him a civil good afternoon causing no small consternation in the face of of the Sunreaver ambassador who had been present. Theotaz had delived his packages and hurried out wanting no part of what ever ongoing argument had been the current theme of the day. After dallying a bit for shopping with Dalarans merchants he had returned home to find a most unusuall visitor. A young mage of the Kirin'Tor, Dulucre by name, out of Dalaran in Northrend. He brought with him a letter of introduction from Rhonin who had sent him as a tutor for Agemodus. Theotaz had wondered at this for he had never known the wizard to be the most helpfull of people when it came to personal affairs. Perhapes fatherhood had mellowed him.

Today though had been the topper of a long week. He had been awakened this morning by Agemodus storming into his chambers in the early morning where he had poured out to Theotaz a dream that could not be a dream but a vision. A vision of an old and dear friend. The Lady Svalina had returned to the world. Theotaz wondered what this portended for the Lady Svalina did not exist. She had been an imaginary playmate of the child in years past. A comfort. An elf and a dark priestess of Elune, what was known popularly as a shadow priestess. She had been the invention of a young and troubled child, a play friend when no others would play with such a child. In time, the children of the war orphange in Orgrimaar, Agemodus's only friends, had also began to talk about the works of the Lady Svalina...untill the proctors at the orphanage had forbidden any further talk of it. Dulucre had knocked politly on the now wide open chamber door with Kheliosrham to take the boy off to breakfast and his morning lessons. Khelio hustled the lad away but Dulucre had tarried. Theotaz looked at the very young elven mage and had lifted an eyebrow in question. Dulucre shuffled uneasily and had then told him that the Lady Svalina was quite real and was on her way to Orgrimaar and would be arriving tomorrow. All Theotaz could do was to say "Excuse me?". Dulucre repeated that the lady Svalina was indeed very real and would be arriving in Orgrimaar tomorrow and that she was just as the boy had described her. From under his robes Dulucre produced a small package. "she sends this to you as a gift so that you might know a bit more about her". Dulucre bowed and left. Theotaz opened the package and looked within and there saw a contrivence on engineering and magic. A Personal Crystal or PC as they were popularly known. An invention of the Drenii, they had lately become more common though hidiously expensive. For the price of one of morerate capacity a half dozen war mounts could be purchased! They stored information in a matrix of spells that could be manipulated throught the crystal by anyone attuned to them. Images and words were stroed ina form called "data" which could be recalled at a moments notice and projected apon the crystals surface. Theotaz was passingly familiar with them. A note with the P.C. gave instructions on attunement and activation. In a few moments the Crystal had activated. In it were copies of this lady Svalina's personal journals. Theotaz began to read....



((correction made 12/11@12:55pm "Rhonin" substituted fro "Krasus" histroical error..gotta watch that..thanks for noticing!))

[Warburn]

Oh mon, I'z like tah see dis computin' magik stone ting.

(( Just thought I'd mention a correction: Krasus is a dragon, and the consort to Alexstrasza. Lady Vareesa is married to Rhonin. Both Krasus and Rhonin helped the foreces of Azeroth stop Xavius, Queen Azshara's high counselor from bringing Sargaras into this world. The latter is thanks to a time warp which sent them back 10k years. ))

[Theotaz]

Oh mon, I'z like tah see dis computin' magik stone ting.

(( Just thought I'd mention a correction: Krasus is a dragon, and the consort to Alexstrasza. Lady Vareesa is married to Rhonin. Both Krasus and Rhonin helped the foreces of Azeroth stop Xavius, Queen Azshara's high counselor from bringing Sargaras into this world. The latter is thanks to a time warp which sent them back 10k years. ))

DOH! Bonehead error,, Editting now.

[Theotaz]

Part 2: Memories

Theotaz sat amazed and shocked. The Lady Svalina real, and as he read more of her journals on the PC apparently and old and very dear friend from his life before. He could recall none of it. It was as if a part of his life had been wiped away. Yet in front of his eyes passage after passage flowed. Of life in the Wolf Pack, Svalina's tutalage in the wolf pack, and her acceptance to the Lunar Temple in Silvermoon. Her early adventures, the visits when she could to Orgrimaar. The clearing of the southen barrens and her service with the Wolf Pack and the Horde. later in life her assistance in his quest for the bow of the ancients. He recalled none of it. After hours of reading he deactivated the crystal and went out to the main hall. Khelio was tinkering at her work bench on a rocket launcher with several half assembled fireworks mortors scattered about.
"Khe... why do I not rememba none of Svalina? Dis Troubles me greatly. I have read hew words I see it was I who asked of Thrall to seek for her an appointment to the Moon Temple in Silvermoon." Kheliosrham laid down her tools. and wiped her hands off on a bit of rag. Her back to Theotaz, she sighed deeply.
She turned and quietly slipped across the room. standing in front of him she took both his great hand in hers. "It wasn't safe for you to remember dear Theo." She jestured for Theotaz to sit. Settling onto some of the many pillows and furs scattered about the main fire pit, she continued. "Before you left for Northrend Blackbull acting as guild master for poor mad Bromide laid a geas apon you to forget all of importance in case you were captured. Svalina by then was acting as an ambassador for the Horde. Her missions were of critical importance. You were so proud of her!"
She clapped her hands, and a moment later Dulucre came in with a tray of sweetmeats and mulled ale from the pantry. Setting the tray on a low circular table he quickly moved to withdraw. Khelio held her hand in a sign of waiting. "Dulucre, bring me parchment, inc and quill. I have a quick message to write and an errend to send you on. hurry now" Dulucre bowed lighty and moved quickly off to the scriptorium to fetch the required item. Kheliosrham sipped her ale. Dulucre returned momentarily with the requested items and a lap board. Khelio quickly penned a short message, folded the parchment over and sealed it with wax, pressing her ring in to seal and cool the wax she handed the letter to Dulucre. "Master Dulucre, take this to the Thralls hall. deliver it to any of his ministers. They will know what to do. Then hurry back, its nearly time for the boys lessons" Dulucre bowed quickly questions flitting across his face. "Later Dulucre, later" Dulucre turned quickly and hurred out of the hall. Turning again to Theo "Theotaz. There is a counterspell to the geas. It is time I think for you to remember what you have forgotten, and to learn what has passed while you have been away. For now, eat. while is soon to happen will be very taxing apon you mentally, emotionally, and physically. This will be...disturbing to say the least my dear old friend, and you will have many questions to ask. Now reast, we have some time yet, and there are items I must gather here in the hall." She rose smothly and precisely to her feer and moved off to the scriptorium. Theo sat, ate, and sipped of the mulled ale thoughtfully considering. Shortly Dulucre returned. He looked at Khelio bustling about the books and scrolls of the scriptorium, and then at Theotaz, visibly swallowed gaped for a moment if about to say something, and then moved off for the glass had turned and it was indeed time for the boys lessons. " I will instructed the boy on basic principles of magic today..on the roof top garden if thats permissable." He looked from Theotaz to Kheliosrham. "Kheliosrham padded in from the scriptorium with an armload of scrolls and tombs. "Excellent inititive Dulucre. After lessons you may take the boy to the market place, and the stalls of the storytellers. Take your time returning, and use the back enterance to come and go. We will not want to be disturbed here." Dulucre scetched a short bow "As my lady wishes" he replied and then headed to the back rooms to get the boy. Moments later the hides at the enterence parted and a shaman of Thralls court entered. "Khelio, you have made the call and the spirits come. I have read the history and the lore and the spirits are willing to clear the geas. All the elements agree that it is the proper time" KHelio bowed deeply "Elder, I thank you and the spirits, my firend is deeply troubled by that not remembered though I fear the remembering will cause him great pain" The shaman made a sign of spirit blessing inthe air before him. "With pain as with pleasue it is the nature of our form to feel both, and by them know we live" The shaman pointed to the scriptorium "You may wait in there, this will not take long to remove" Khelio moved off.
The shaman turned to Theotaz. "Death Knight, kneel before me please, the spirits of your ancestors whisper now. They placed the geas to protect you, the need for it is done, now it must be removed so that you may remember" Theotoz knelt befor the elder. She shaman mumbled an incantation under his breath and moved his hands in the air. unter his fast flowing finger a rune came to life glowing with the power of air. Quickly the shaman steaped around Theotaz matering and motioning. In moments a string of runes in all the colors known circled the kneeling Death Knight at eye level the shaman stood back and held the tip of his staff over Theo's head. his muttering ceased. "Look into my eyes Death Knight" Theo gazed up. the shaman whispered quietly "remember" Theo's eyes rolled up and his head snapped back. The runes, stationary before moved arount him. spinning faster and faster untill they wer a blur and then with out a sound simply faded away. The Shaman turned to the scriptorium. "It is done. He will recover in a moment. I go now and leave him in your hands." The shaman bowed. "I wish you well Theotaz of the horde. when you are ready, Thrall as asked that you come speak with him. he has work for you." The shaman turned and slipped quietly out the door. For long moments Theo sat eyes sqeezed closed. Khelio came over and knelt in front of him. Theo lowered his head at last. with his eyes closed he spoke "I remember it. I remember it all... and more. The spirits they be a blessing and a curse. So many gone. I see thier ending." A sob tore from Theotaz's throat. he opened his eyes and the tears came. a terrible longing sadness came over his face. "I should have stayed" he whisperd horsely "I could have saved some of them" he looked beseeching ly at Kheliosrham "couldn't I?" Khelio said nothing. "You, I, Svalina, the boy..all that is left?" she nodded in confirmation saying nothing. Theo lifted his head and howled in pain and anguish for what had been lost. the tears poured forth he howled agin, and again. he colapsed in on himself whipering. Khelio streatched forth her arms and pulled theo's head into her chest. wrapping her arms around him she siply held one of her last two remaining friend as memories not theo's own surged through him. The two old friends did not move for a very long time.

[Theotaz]

Part 3: Old Chums

Svalina loaded her panniers on her war strider and had arranged with the stevadores to have the rest delivered to the old hall in Orgrimaar. The flight had been uneventfull and for that she was greatfull. Svalina was tired. The she had been seconded to the Kirin Tor by the commander of the Shattered Suns offensive after many long months of battling on the isle of Quel'Danas. Her next mission was to assist the forsaken expedition in Northrend at Howling Fiord but first a small break.
The letter from Kheliosrham last month informing her of the return of Theotaz as a Death Knight had been a shock. Later letters had informed her that the original geas was in place and that she had not acted to have it removed untill Theo settled a bit. A week previous she had shipped by courier a personal crystal of loaded with her journals so that he would have some knowledge of who she was just in case.
A messenger had met her at Undercity this morning with a scrawled note from Khelio telling her the memory geas had been removed but the elementle spirits had chosen to give Theotaz the memory of how all the rest of his old friends had meet thier dooms. She had fretted the entire passage on the zepplin obviously adding to the unease of the crew untill the zepplins master had offered her the use of his cabin. He had told her in no uncertains words that she was scaring his crew to distraction and that was a very bad idea over trackless wastes of ocean. She hadn't argued and had simply gone below without a word. The rest of the passage had been uneventfull, and the crew had made a point to unload her belongings and war strider first. She smiled slightly at the thought that goblins were as much motivated by fear as by greed.

Mounting up she rode off toward Orgrimaar. In no hurry she allowed the war strider to pick an easy pace to the city gates a mile off. A Sergent of the guard hailed her as she aproched. searching her memory she hailed him.." Corporal Thorock or should I say Sergent! Congradultions on your promotion. Those stripes look like they belong there!" Thorock beemed and blushed all at the same time. Svalina recalled he had a bit of a reputation with the ladies of the town. He had obviously survived it as she also saw he carried a favor tied about his war helm. "And married now also I see! Any children yet sergent?" she asked. "Aye Dame Svalina, a boy and a girl, twins!" he proclaimed proudly. Rummaging quickly in her bag she pulled out a small handfull of cut gems. Nothing of great quality but it was the last of her small horde from over the years. "Take these Sergent, with my blessing to you and your lady wife. A city guards pay is not great and your children may have a gift for a trade. Tuck them aside. It may be of some help some day." Thhorock gaped in surprise but quickly recovered. "I thank you lady, is there anything I might do for you?" he inquired politly. She gave a polite chuckle. "No, good Thorock, though if you have any news of my house and of the Death Knight Theotaz I would know it before I enter the city.". Thorock turned quickly and barked an order in Orcish to a corporal by the gate and motioned Svalina off to the side near a cask of water. He quickly hadded a dipper full to svalina and a set a bucketfull on a hook for her war strider. "The area about the hall was disturbed last night by sounds of great anguish from within. The city guard responded but the blood elf Dulucre who serves there assured all that it was all right. That Sir Theotaz had recieved personal information most distressing and was in mourning. he said it would not go much longer. The guard reported that the sounds soon ended as would be expected of vented grief. The captain of the guard when informed said it was expected and the guard was not to be concerned. That is all I know other then since his arrival a return to the city a month ago and then deployment to the Borean Tundra of Northrend Sir Theotaz has been in action continuously against the enemies of all. His deeds have been embelish only lightly by the bards of the taverns and the market place from what I have been told." Svalina dug into her purse and fished out 2 small gold coins. "Thank you Thorock. You have eased my mind and my heart. Theotaz is family to me, and mentor. If not for him I would not be whom I am today" She bent down and planted a kiss on the orc. Thorock blushed a bright greem "M-m-m lady, Please! If my wife were to see that I would be one dead orc!" Svalina laughed. "Tell your lady I paid you 2 gold to do it just to scandalize any blood elves watching. If she like any orc lady she'll be angry at you for settling for so little instead of being kissed at all." Thorock let out a snort and guffaw of his own. "Aye my lady, but, I must get back to my duties" he told her, he gave a quick salute and hurried of to the guard post.

Svalina reined her mount about and rode in through Orgrimaars front gate. Winding her way through the city she exchanged waves with a few familiar old faces untill she eventually came up before the hall. She gave a quick yank of the bell rope and waited. Momernts later Dukucre appeared. A great smile broke out on his face "Cousin Svalina! Am I glad to see you, and I'll put money on a bet that Kheliosrham will be too". She smiled "Now cousin not even an ogre would take that bet!. See to my mount if you would. Khelio will want to see me with all haste". Dulucre gave a satisfied look. "I shall be honored cousin. This strider has a battle history that no few blood knights would be envious of." he said as he casually threaded a lead rope into the war striders harness. As soon as she had dismounted he gave a gentle tug to the reigns and led the the strider into the paddock beside the hall. Svalina went on into the hall. she looked first into the scriptorium, Khelio normal perch when home. as she peeked in she felt a pressure against her throat. "Humm, nice to know I'm not so old and slow that I cant slip up behind one of the horde premire war priests." Svalina turned and threw her arms about Khelio..Oh Khelio I've so missed you!" both women laughed and hugged "How is he?" She asked with a worried look on her face. "Resting quietly now. Last night was rough. I'm glad you got here when you did and I'm sorry it could not wait. I felt madness might result if I put it off any longer. He was starting to realize all was not as it seemed.". "I understand Svalina replied. "A tough call, but I have always trusted your decisions". Khelio sighed. "Its been over a year since you last were here." She gave a sheepinsh look. "I was uncertain. Your reputation has become rather....formidable. They say you have no patience with those you consider foolish and that those judgements can be, shall we say, fatal!" Khelio drug her fingers down over her face as if it were metling wax making a crazed face at Svalina. "Dragon shit! What have they been saying about me!" Khelio threw her head back and howled "GOTCHA!" Sva rolled her eyes to the roof beams overhead. "Yep fair and square and I walked right into it. Ok, the mead is on me blood sister".
The two contined to talk for some hours and catching up on a years tales.

Later in the evening Dulucre slipped in to announce that Theotaz had awakened. Khelio asked him to tell Theotaz to come down to the main room when he was ready. As he strode in Svalina was shocked at his appearence. She had expected changes but none the less was caught out. Theo once blazing red crest of hair was now as white as her own tresses. His face aged and care worn, his eyes glowed with an inner fire and her senses tingled with the strength he carried in the runic arts of the death knights. She sensed that his path had been that of the unholy, of illness and decimation. She had no doubt that Thorock had not exaggerated at all. Theotaz was a deadly menace to those he set himself against no doubt. His skin carried the pallor of the undead, his eyes ice blue with a glow to them. Still his face showed the strength of character and warmth she had always known of him.
Agemodus was with him as he came down from the sleeping lofts.
The boy appeared very calm, his hand resting lightly on Theo's arm. Dulucre came in a moment later after Theo and the lad had settled in the main room with the makings of a fine breakfast. Sva's eyes lit. There was Smokywood pastures honey cured ham, egg nog, sweet crusty bread and more on a platter one of the other house servent carried. Dulucre busied himself by the fire pit slicing bread and setting on a toasting iron. Dulucre looked very pleased with himself as he prepared and distributed food to all present. small talk and eating followed for a turning of the glass. In a short while the food was gone but for a few scraps of bread crust. Dulucre had the servent load up the tray with the remain and take it to the kitchen for the staff to take care of while he reached down into a box and set goblets out for everyone. Tapping a cask that he had brought in earlier he served up what was obviously some of the finest Northrend honey mead. It splashed in the glasses like liquid gold. Dulucre squated back on his legs when finished and turned to Agemodus. "Young master, it is for you to make the first toast as we spoke of yesterday. Are you ready?" Agemodus ducked his head slightly and reached for the goblet before him. he swirled the goblet slowly, sniffed it bouquet, which appeared to be impressive for his eye lit up with anticipation. He cleared his throat . "To Family and hearth, friends present, and friends past. Fellowship and and the challanges gone by and those yet awaiting. To Valor, Courage, and Honor always the touchstone of Rakka Nosse, the Wolf Pack, The Eternal Nightmare, and Nyx, and the house of Theotaz. And most of all to love where none existed before, and most of all, to you....my family." where apon he lifted his goblet and drained it down in one mightly gulp. Everyone drank deep of the mead. As they set thier cups and Dulucre refilled the goblets. Theotaz placed his hand over Agemodus's lookinf the boy squarly in the eye. "Well said you pup, well said." He reached his long arm out and squeezed Agemodus's shoulder. "But no more for you..or you Dulucre. The boys lessons have been put off all morning and I will not have that, nor a drunken tutor to teach him! Now off with you both. And take that cask with you Dulucre... after the days lessons you may both feel free to indulge, but now the ladies and I must talk privately. Svalina and I have much to catch up on." Agemodus rose to his feet a little unstedily to be quickly caught and studied by Dulucre. "Come Agemodus.. strong drink needs cool air to clear your head..we will go down below the city today, its time you visited the trades men and started thinking of what you shall do." Dulucre smiled "It'll be fun!" Agemodus stepped away from the group..but turned his head back a moment" I,I didn't think mead was so.... potent!" he burped.. The the still sitting adults laughed making shooing motions with thier arms.

A moment later only Kheliosrahm, Svalina, and Theotaz sat. Kheliosrham reached under her stool and brought forth what was obviously a very heavy dark bottle. SHe handed it to Theotaz. "You'll need to use your axe. It's magicly sealed and my sword and dagger with not serve, and Svalina's mace.. well,, it just wont work. Its from Dalaran deepest cellers. I called in a favor" she said with a wicked grin. Theotaz got up and padded over to the weapon case and fitched his war axe which begane to glow faintly the moment he touched it. Grasping it short in his left hand he held the bottle in his right. Guaging the angle he struck a quick sharp blow. The stopper on the bottle flew off with a crack. Sparkles of light erupted from what ever was within it lifting a nimbus around the now open vessel. Theotaz walked back to the ladies set the bottle down between them and gently set his axe down leaning it against the table. flopping himself down on the pillows, he turned to Svalina.. "Well?" he said, "she brought de bottle, I opened it, now how we gonna drink it?" Sva chacked and reached into a bag set beside her and drew forth 3 small serving cups. "Just a little something I grabbed out of Keal Sunstriders personal possotions after his dragon cursed dead ass hit the floor."
she set the cups out and carfully poured a liquid the resembled nothing more the light itsself into each tiny cup.. Sva lina reached out and touched the old trolls wrist. "Theo.. are you all right?" Theotaz lifted the tiny cup before him examining its obvious quality workmanship. "I been better missy, but not to bad..been through a few rough shocks and a tough one last night. but I be ok". He smiled the old lazy smile she remebered so well from years before. "Now dis stuff don last long one it be opened, so lets not waste it. I read you storys but now I wanna hear from your own lips. And I will tell you my tales also." he looked to Khelio. "And hers too if shes don;t have ta kill us afta she tell us!" Everyone chuckled. all three lifted up thier glasses. "I offer dis toast" Theotaz intoned.. "To old friends".. Old friend the women echoed. the tree cups were drained. and this time Khelio refilled them. Khelio lifted her's and spoke "To dead ememies" all three again chuckled and drained the cups. Theo reached for the bottle and poured the last within in each of the cups. Svalina lifted hers and logged solemly and her two oldest and dearest companions. "To Life" the tree nodded and drained the cups one last time. Khelio reached under who stool once more and brought out a rather ordinary small wooden cask along with 3 beaten bedraggled steel cups. "Now for lies and tall tales of adventue. things are much to to serious for this old Rogue" the all grinned and settled down for an day of of fellowship and drinking.


.................................................................

And from here the future will be written.

Thank you Nyx, and my new friends for the inspiration of this tale, and the encouragement to take part in further grand adventures in the World Of Warcraft.

Most Cordially
Terrance Roff
Oakland, CA

December 13th, 2008