Eye of the Beholder

Seven.

The fine white strands of Eliana's hair whipped around her face in a frenzy as her Nightsaber carried them back to the Square. As she and Illidan rode, her heart pounded in her chest and she tightly clenched her mount's fur between her fingers, not knowing how else to express her anxiety. From the tense muscles in Illidan's arm, she could sense that he was just as upset at Tyrande's actions as she was—if not more.

She couldn't blame him.

Tyrande had, unfortunately, put them all at risk when she deviated from the plan and returned to the Square. Eliana wasn't sure whether the other priestess had truly thought about all of the consequences of potentially exposing the entire group; any and all rational thoughts were overshadowed by her concern for Malfurion.

If the tables were turned and Illidan was the one who was in danger, Eliana couldn't say how she would've reacted. So, truthfully, she couldn't blame Tyrande for her rash behavior either. Although, she did wonder how differently Tyrande would've reacted if Illidan had been the one out there, not Malfurion. Judging from Illidan's posture, Eliana wondered if the same thoughts had run through his mind.

After dashing through the residential district, they flew underneath the stone archway, and back into the plaza. Eliana's Nightsaber began to skid to a halt but Illidan didn't wait for it to come to a complete stop before he hopped off the back of the beast.

He raced ahead and Eliana scrambled off of the sabercat once they'd stopped. The absence of Illidan's arms around her waist caused a shiver to run through her. The feel of him against her back had been so warm and comforting, if only for a short, blissful moment. Now, as the wind blew past, her back seemed exponentially colder than before. She shook out the stiff joints in her fingers before she instructed her mount to remain by the post on the edge of the pathway.

Up ahead, Illidan was frantically glancing around the Square, his high ponytail swinging back and forth each time he turned his head. Once Eliana sidled up to him, she laid a hand on his upper arm, questioning, "Do you see her?"

In lieu of a real response, Illidan let out a frustrated grunt and continued to scan the plaza for any sign of the navy-haired priestess. Eventually, his gaze fell on the now-empty cage in the center of the Square and he narrowed his eyes. So that the sound didn't carry, he mumbled to Eliana, "The guards. They are gone. Only two remain and they weren't part of the group that was here earlier."

Eliana turned sharply to face the cage and then glanced away immediately after, so that she didn't appear to be staring. Softly, she replied, "You're right. Cytheas is no longer here either. The guards must've gone after Malfurion and Broxigar."

"Damn it all...Where is Tyrande?!" Illidan muttered, his eyebrows pinched together.

His irritation was contagious and Eliana bounced in place, impatient to locate their friend. Her gaze flitted over to the Temple as she tried to prevent them from seeming suspicious by keeping her eyes roving over the area. A flash of silver-streaked, cobalt hair caused her to do a double-take. She tilted her head up to the Temple's veranda, spotting the very female they were trying to find.

Tyrande was standing beside a colossal marble column, attempting to look nonchalant as she paced back and forth. From their place in the Square below, it looked like Tyrande was staring at the edge of the forest off in the distance, as she weaved in and out of sight. Eliana thought that her friend seemed nervous; whenever she stepped into view, she was either fiddling with the ends of her hair, or tightly gripping the fabric of her skirt.

Eliana tightened her grip around Illidan's bicep to gain his attention and he glanced down at her, his forehead creased in question. Surreptitiously, she slid her gaze over to the Temple, hinting for him to follow her eyes. He looked up and his eyes widened when he spotted Tyrande. He grabbed Eliana by the wrist and tugged her along as he rushed over to the staircase leading up to the Temple.