An Old Friend...

“Hmmm…She was here recently…” A deep, kind voice seemed to purr. A smirk playing on his lips as he inhaled slowly. Taking in every scent around him. Ashenvale was lovely this time of year. The deep purples and blues of the trees. The dark greens of the grass, readying its self for winter. “Why was she out here? And alone…” The blindfold against his eyes shifted at the bridge of his nose as he tried to think of the reasons for his prey to be venturing so far.

That soft scent still lingered in the air. Vanilla and Lilacs. It was so calming, yet it enticed all of the senses. He had to find her, to be sure that she was alright. He still gripped the last letter she had written him within his hand. She seemed upset. What was worse was he needed to courier to read it to him thanks to his affliction.

'Monster,

I hope you are well and I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. I have been…well, I suppose is the word. It is odd here still and it’s been nine years since I was allowed back. Sadly, it feels like an eternity. The others still do not trust me and unless I am with Faoren or one of the other Shan’do’s, the other druids like to use me as their training dummy.

A part of me wishes we hadn’t found Vei. Maybe we’d all still be traveling together. Just living off the land and making each day work in our own way. I suppose a part of me misses exile. At least I didn’t get beat or hunted as often as I do here. And now, because of my own selfish feelings, I have lost my Shan’do, Elder Nightwind, because I let myself get too attached.

I am starting to wonder if I should just run away. Never come back. Maybe go back to the Eastern Kingdoms. There weren’t as many Kaldorei there and very few humans knew of what happened to me. But I know I can’t do that. Those few that do believe in me, I’d be letting them down. I’ve let down enough in my lifetime. I will continue to try my hardest to get through this training. This is what I want to do, even though I know I will never be a true druid.

Either way, things will hopefully get better. I would adore seeing you again. Are you and Zachariah still traveling together? I want to see you both together again some day. I miss my brothers terribly. If you can find someone to write for you, please write back soon.

With All My Love,
Nessy'

He seemed to hear her voice in his head when it was read to him. He could hear her laughing at certain parts, and even sighing, maybe crying, in others. It worried him that his dear friend felt so alone in the world now. He needed to be her savior again. Even if it was just to take her mind away for a little while. Bring back memories of their time together just to get her through. He needed to do that for her.

He missed her. Missed her voice, hearing the smile in it when she was happy. Missed her scent. It always seemed to calm him when he felt as if he was losing himself. When his nightmares plagued him, she was always there for him and never had she asked for anything in return. They saved her only because they felt a demonic presence and she was caught in the middle but now, she had grown into something so much more. She always called them her brothers. Said that being with them was like being home. He missed that feeling. With Zachariah gone, things had grown quiet and dull. He needed that sense of home again, especially after this letter.

Moving towards where her scent grew stronger, his footfalls thundered beneath him. He was trying to keep a slow pace, even at night Kaldorei traveled. He didn’t need a confrontation. But all too soon, he would have one. A Kaldorei, male, appeared from the shadows. A light shadow of hair on his lower jaw, thick tribal tattooing on the left half of his torso and carved pebbles in his obsidian locks. As Lanshor inhaled, he seemed to scoff. This male’s scent was mixed with so many others, but he found one in particular.

“Ayarion, what are you doing out here?”

“Elder Nightwind..” Lanshor seemed to let his smirk dance upon his lips. “I believe you know who-“

“I know exactly who you are looking for. Neais’ta is out right now. Hasn’t been back for hours, I was going to search for her. Ayarion, you cannot-“

“Lanshor. My name is Lanshor. I do not understand why you call me ‘Ayarion’..” He scoffed. But he seemed to turn his head as if he were looking at Faoren. “You said she hasn’t returned?..” His head quickly turned again, as if he were searching for her.

“You don’t? Are you truly that far gone?” Faoren shook his head. “This must be a side effect of this Goddess forsaken pact you made. Why you would do such a thing is beyond me.” Sighing. “And no, she hasn’t returned. Things have happened. I got hurt and with all else, I believe the stress was too much for her. I understand she needs her space but…”

“You would never understand why I chose this. Nor do you understand the chance you have lost…”

“Wouldn’t I? Enlighten me then. Or do you not even remember yourself why you did this?”

Lanshor grew silent for a long while. His breathing almost stopping completely before he shook his head. “What does it matter why I did this other than to help our people? To give our people and our world a chance to survive.”

Faoren snorted out a laugh. “Is that what you think? You are helping give our people a chance? HA! You, and others like you, are what’s being taken away from our people. For whatever reasons you did this for. Loss, guilt, vengeance, revenge. It doesn’t matter. What you did was wrong. It goes against everything we stood for! What would Kearii think of you if she were here to see you like this, huh? I can tell you that she wouldn’t be seen within one hundred yards of you!” He was yelling now. Yelling at what once, was a childhood friend.

Lanshor just stood there, sniffing the air like a dog trying to track a scent. It was still there, but fading fast, he knew he’d have to get moving. But when the other male started yelling his head instantly snapped back to him. Those thick tribal tattoos glowing faintly as he stepped towards Faoren in a flurry of rage. Trying to control himself, he growled. “I may not know who I am, but at least I do not throw my own out on the fucking streets for mistakes! For being the only survivor and being captured! I’m surprised she decided to come back to this hell hole! If I were her, I would never leap for this chance! None of you protect her, even now!”

It was then that Lanshor turned his back on Faoren. Panting softly. “I’m going to look for her. Try to make her feel better. She needs someone to do that for her at least.”

Faoren was wide eyed as he stood there. Then he saw Lanshor drop something. Faoren moved, picking up the letter and reading it quickly before he glanced up as Lanshor walked away. “I-I didn’t know. I didn’t know the others…”

“That is because you don’t pay attention…I will remain by her side…I am all she has left…And there is nothing that you can do to stop me…” And with that, Lanshor disappeared into the darkness, leaving Faoren alone and hurting.

“I am so sorry Ayarion…I have betrayed you once again Old Friend…”