Interludes

[Leothiel]

*Friday night, Ulduar*nnAlthough Leothiel was impervious to some of Yogg-Saron's tricks, he felt a backlash in his mind when the old god was finally banished. The group of Lady Nyx's followers, led by the shaman Azulana, finished clearing out the complex. Soon, the mighty Titan vault stood quiet but still had the watchers that they had freed. Leothiel split from the rest of the group and went to the Conservatory of Life. The waters had been seducing ever since he set foot in there. He stopped at a bank, stripped, and went for a swim in the refreshing waters underneath the northern sky but inside the warm canopy of Freiya's domain. As he swam in the waters, the nightmare of Yogg-Saron became even more passing. Soon, the time had melted away as Leothiel stopped out, dressed and returned with news to Oneille.

[Leothiel]

*Sunday*nnThe painstaking work had paid off. The gemstones were cut to perfection and assembled meticulously to make a pendant that captured the Lord and Lady Frosthawks' respective likenesses. It came time to present the gift. It had been one year since Leothiel and Oneille have wed.

[Leothiel]

Leothiel was made haste to Orgrimmar upon being summoned. A new cult was starting. Leothiel had dealt with cults in the past. Their involvement has been bringing back the Burning Legion. In Orgrimmar, he talked with a representative from the Earthen Ring. Leothiel wondered Why am I being tasked with taking out yet another cult that may be harmless? The drag was teeming with speakers and audiences that turned into nearly-panicked audiences. Leothiel was seeing unusual-looking canisters around the city.nnWhen he returned to his Earthen Ring contacts, they told him to infiltrate the cult. Leothiel was very suspicious not only of the cult, but of the Earthen Ring's intentions. He decided to see what this cult was about and what "hope" they were offering. He acquired a robe that signified his station as an initiate. His first act of service was to go around Orgrimmar wearing a sign and announcing the end of the world. Leothiel could feel his dignity slipping away with each step and word. When he returned to the cult's meeting grounds at Jaggedswine Farm, he found out about the the canisters he had seen around Orgrimmar: They were to detonate and tear rifts into elemental planes to bring about an invasion.nnAfter this revelation, Leothiel headed to Grommash Hold as something was unfolding there. The elemental cult has given cause for Thrall to leave Orgrimmar. Right there, a day that Leothiel had dreaded was happening: Thrall was placing Garrosh Hellscream in charge of the Horde temporarily.

[Leothiel]

*Stormwind*nnThaelen was examining one of the canister-like devices that have been planted by an up-and-coming doomsday cult. He tried to open it, but it shattered and four hostile elementals appeared. Thaelen and another mage, one who was fresh from Southshore, helped close and seal the rift. Thaelen was taken aback and the Arathi mage introduced himself. "Your power seems a bit weak for these elementals. King Varian called me out Southshore to deal with this.. cult." Thaelen stood up then the mage spoke again. "Pardon my rudeness, I am Jon Aetius." Thaelen spoke up and introduced himself. That afternoon, the duo spent the day closing various rifts of Stormwind. Jon even infiltrated the cult to see what they were about and how those rift canisters were being made.nnThaelen returned home that evening. Athaniar was starting to crawl. Anaria greeted him then suggested that they talk privately. "Thaelen, we are going to have to leave Stormwind sooner than you think."nnThaelen wondered why as he had also mentioned that the doomsday cult was being dealt with and rifts were being closed.nn"This is just the beginning of something greater and deadlier. The grounds are rumbling more than ever while rifts are forming. There have been visions and this is just the beginning." Thaelen look into Anaria's eyes and knew what she was saying was true. He gave her a kiss and whispered into her ear "We must be ready to leave." Thaelen barely slept that night.nnThe next morning, they were talking about the rifts trying to ensure that Vira was out of earshot. Anaria said that sources from the Horde were saying that the cult had set up near Orgrimmar along with rift devices in the city. Anaria concluded by saying "Those same sources also said that Thrall has left Garrosh Hellscream in charge of the Horde in his absence." Afterwards, they discussed plans. Thaelen suggested that they be ready to head to Ironforge. Anaria suggested returning to Quel'thalas.nnOn the way to school, Vira asked "What were you talking about?" Thaelen tried to say as little as possible then replied "You sound like you were listening this morning." Vira said "Yes. I heard 'Quel'thalas' and 'Garrosh Hellscream'." Thaelen gave her a kiss on the forehead and said "I will tell in due time." At school, Vira put her books on her desk then she noticed a note with a hand on it. She followed the arm attached to the hand then followed it to the body then to the face of the writer. "Faeleas?" The elfin boy looked somewhat embarrassed and said "Yes." Vira stood up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

[Leothiel]

Leothiel woke up from the vision to find himself back in Orgrimmar. He was in a building in the Valley of Spirits with the troll shamans looking on. One of them said "What joo see, elfy?" Leothiel looked at her indignantly and said "That will be 'Leothiel' to you. I saw elementals raging in Orgrimmar and elsewhere. I also saw a strange boy with my... I prefer not to talk about it." The shaman said "Da spirits are more clear dan you tink. Joo have family there, no?" Leothiel nodded in affirmation. The shaman continued "Da spirits know dat joo have family in dat human city. How did joo come to see visions ob da future?" Leothiel said "My mother is a seer. It looks like I inherited some of it." Leothiel was sitting up nursing a splitting headache not just at what he saw but from being asleep for a few hours.nnWhen Leothiel returned to Eversong, he told Oneille what he saw. "Soon will come a day when I have to be in Orgrimmar from this invasion. It won't surprise me if some of my family show up at the door. Have the house and rooms ready for when they do."nnOver the past few weeks, Leothiel had been teaching Oneille the finer points of dragonhawks. They also knew they had to hire an housekeeper. After two weeks of searching, they found one.

[Leothiel]

*Stormwind*nnVira ran home from school in a very happy mood clutching the latest letter from the now not-so-secret admirer. Her giggling extended well into the hours of the evening meal. For once her mind forgot about the hearings of dread she overheard from her parents early in the morning. Her energy was wearing down afterward from the excitement but she was still alert. Soon, her curiosity overcame her as to what she had heard in the morning. The elementals were rumbling but the visions were more sinister. Thaelen spoke up about the elementals and the cultists that were summoning. There was a sad reality that Thaelen would have to stay behind in Stormwind while the rest of the family left. This thought haunted Vira well into the night.

[Leothiel]

*Monday, Orgrimmar*nnThieldren was busy checking the lists of proposed fortifications and compiling a list of materials to be ordered. His experience with building construction and engineering on the Outland expedition in Kael'thas' army came in handy for the Horde and with their plans. He did not know that his brother Leothiel had knowledge about these new fortifications. With Garrosh Hellscream in charge of the Horde, these fortifications as well as improvements to Orgrimmar's defenses would become a greater reality.nnThe finalization of the plans were in progress when there was a major rumble and a loud voice that immediately followed. Earth and fire elementals were running amok. Soon, a voice yelled "All able-bodied citizens are to install barricades. All others must leave the city." Thieldren rushed to work helping not only set up barricades but evacuating citizens from the city. When the barricades were in place, the elemental rifts were even greater. It took much fighting until he saw a familiar face: His brother Leothiel. The two of them teamed up with other Horde members in clearing the city not just of elementals but of frightened citizens.nnThat evening, Leothiel did not return to Eversong. He sent a note home to his wife Oneille to tell them what has been happening. My lion, I pray to the goddess that you live was her thought. He and Thieldren spent that night trying to catch some sleep between rounds of fighting elementals.nn*Same day, Stormwind*nnVira's heart was all aflutter throughout the day over the cute boy who left her anonymous notes. Now she knows who he is and even left notes for him. Her mood was in contrast to the day which consisted of unusually heavy rain and wind. Her near-state of daydreaming was interrupted by the sound of soldiers telling citizens to either place sandbags around the city. Vira soon recognized a golden-haired figure with a nearly year-old infant in tow: Her mother Anaria. "We must leave. Father is assisting in sandbagging the city." The hurried flight was accompanied by a relentless assault of water and wind elementals. Vira asked "Where are we going?" Anaria's reply was "Northshire. I think they will have need of my services."nnThe walk to Northshire seemed to take a long time. Anaria had Athanair clutched in one arm while the other hand stayed clutched to Vira. Eventually, they arrived at Northshire Abbey. Anaria presented herself to the chief priests ready for work. Anaria's afternoon was too busy for her to worry. She even had Vira assisting her on some duties except for a childbirth.nnThat evening, an albino hawk flew in. It was carrying a letter from Thaelen.

[Leothiel]

*Tuesday, Northshire Abbey*nnThe day was busy with refugess coming in from Stormwind. Anaria's duties were more than spiritual services of a priestess but also relief. In the back of her mind, emotion was building. Work was under way to have refugee papers written to send Vira to Quel'thalas away from the elemental invasions. By the end of the day, the thoughts of being refugees for a second time along with the prospect of sending Vira away complete with the duties of a priestess, midwife, and mother were taking a toll on Anaria. She sought a place to vent those tears.nn*Wednesday morning, Northshire Abbey*nnThaelen showed up at the Northshire tired and haggard. He was carrying some items from the Frosthawk house. Anaria greeted him immediately while Vira showed up running towards him giving him a hug. Thaelen was carrying some items from the house. Vira recognized them as hers. While Thaelen was being treated, he started telling his story. "The assaults have been nearly relentless. The areas around the canal are flooded. Our house is on low ground but only the cellar is flooded. Even Ironforge is not immune. That city is under assault by earth and fire." Thaelen took some breaths before he continued his story. "The Earthen Ring contacts have told me that the Horde cities in Kalimdor are affect by this and that Thrall has stepped down as warchief of the Horde giving that post to Garrosh Hellscream." Those last words were spoken with fear. Even a look of dread came across Anaria's face. Not only had they heard much about Garrosh through murmurings of Alliance but from Leothiel directly.nnThe papers to send Vira to Quel'thalas were ready before noon. She would require escort. Before she left, Vira wondered why she was leaving, but the rest of the family was not. Thaelen replied "I wish I could explain. You are being sent away from this elemental war and the refugees it has made. This has not been the first time we have been refugees." Thaelen gave her a kiss on the forehead. Anaria said "I was carrying you in my womb when we fled Dalaran. Now we also have an infant in tow with us. I have decided to stay behind to attend to my duties as priestess while father is fighting not only for Stormwind but also our futures." Anaria then reached around her own neck, removed a necklace with a pendant on it and put it around Vira's neck. Vira took a look at the pendant: It was jeweled and had the likeness of her parents on it. Thaelen spoke up "I gave that to your mother for a first anniversary gift. We now entrust it to you as a promise of return. Hold on to it and do not let it out of your sight."nnThe family walked out of the Abbey. Thaelen whistled and an albino hawk flew to him: It was their family messanger named Ghost. Soon, their escorts arrived. One was a fellow quel'dorei named Elsharin the other was a human priestess who was just promoted from Acolyte. "Sarah, congratulations on your promotion." Sarah put up her cowl to cover her head. They had their papers in hand. Elsharin opened up a portal to Silvermoon directly. Vira, Elsharin, and Sarah jumped through.nnOnce inside, they were greeted with guards. The trio showed their papers. One of the guards ran ahead while two more escorted them through the city. Outside the city, two rangers were waiting for the group. They had no problem finding the Frosthawk homestead since the rangers knew where it was. Oneille answered the door and gave Vira a hug. She thanked the rangers and welcomed Sarah and Elsharin. "The guest room is ready. Leothiel told me to expect family members to come here in the wake of the elemental invasion." After some time of settling down, Elsharin and Sarah returned to Stormwind via a portal. Vira wrote a note and attached it to Ghost.nn*Wednesday evening, Orgrimmar*nnLeothiel was busy cleaning out the Valley of Spirits when during a break in the action, he was a white hawk headed his direction that had a letter attached to it. He recognized the handwriting belonging to his sister: She was at his homestead in Eversong. When he had finished securing Orgrimmar, he let the Blood Guard know that he had a family issue crop up. The blood guard dismissed him from duty leaving the elfin mage to return to Eversong.

[Leothiel]

*Thursday morning, Frosthawk homestead in Eversong*nnThe week's events had taken a toll on Vira's nightly dreams. She went from a quel'dorei girl of scholarly heritage to a refugee in a matter of hours. Her parents also sent her away from Stormwind and Elwynn not just a shot at something of a normal life but because of what she needed: A father figure at this time in her life. Thaelen was busy with closing rifts in Stormwind while Anaria was attending to refugees in Northshire Abbey. They sent her out to her brother and sister-in-law in Eversong. The Frosthawks of Eversong were ready.nnVira woke up the morning after her arrival at the Frosthawk homestead disturbed. The events of the week made her feel like she was being shuffled and ignored by her own parents. The only thing that assured her was the pendant Anaria gave her before sending her off to Quel'thalas. Minn'da trusted this to me.. That thought made the pendant feel heavier around her neck. She dressed quietly and emerged from her bedroom. Oneille was done nursing Haeldrin while Leothiel was about to head to the stables to attend to the dragonhawks. Leothiel removed his gloves and gave Vira a hug. Oneille extended her arms as well. There would have been a greeting, but it was very subdued. He asked Vira if she wanted to come to the stables. She gave a hesitant nod.nnWhen they entered the stable, the scene scared Vira. She had never been around dragonhawks but she could sense that they are very agitated about something. One of them came up to her to sniff her then went to an aggressive posture. Leothiel resonded by holding the offending dragonhawk to the ground. This gave the others a signal to shape up. Egg collection was still difficult from their agitated state.nnOnce inside the main house, Oneille had breakfast ready. It was time to discuss some plans and Quel'danas was in the discussion. That afternoon, Oneille took Vira to Silvermoon to have some clothes fitted as she left Stormwind with what she was wearing.

[Leothiel]

*The weekend before the Shattering*nnLeothiel made very clear that it was not going to be all fun and games for Vira while she was in Eversong. Part of her time would involve trips not just to various places in Quel'dorei history but also the place in the Dead Scar where the old family homestead used to be. She had read about the history of her race in school and even visited some of the sites the year before at her brother's wedding. She was becoming more aware of who she was: A daughter of the Highborne race known as the Quel'dorei. Throughout the weekend, she had come to appreciate and almost relive the memories of her elder siblings, two of whom are deceased.nnThe sadness was seen in her witnessing the unpleasant memory of Leothiel killing the eldest brother of the Frosthawk house, followed by the killing of a resurrected and twisted Kael'thas. Leothiel could not hold back of a stream of tears with his sister standing next to him: The truth of what she had known had been made even more clear to her: Her eldest brother died at the hands of the brother standing next to her. Leothiel begged his sister for forgiveness. She started to embrace him which in turn turned into a hug and a quiet "Yes."nnThe Sunwell was a different story. It had been a little over one year when she was last there. Now she has seen why it is so sacred. She could feel the magic flowing through her body and even attempted to channel it. Afterwards, they returned to the homestead. Oneille had a quiet day studying and looking after Haeldrin. Vira shared what she had learned.nn*Northshire Abbey*nnTwo days of rest revived Anaria and calmed her down to where she could perform her duties more effectively as a priestess and a mother. Thaelen had returned to Stormwind to fight elementals and check on the house. Northshire Abbey was full and refugees had to be sent not just all over Elwynn but to Redridge and Westfall.