Warcraft 3: Broken Blessings

Chapter 14

Over the course of three days, fifty of the ancient, glowing spirits were found. Rosalia had recovered enough to help them gain small forms, too, with the guidance of the guardian. Malfurion was overjoyed, and she was already proving herself in her training with him. However, Kael'thas did find his way to them. He was forced to stay in a small area away from her.

"I should be staying close to her!" he argued.

"Not while she is training," Malfurion said calmly. "It is too much of a distraction. Remember this, young Kael'thas. She needs to hone her skills with complete calm."

"I know. I'm just worried about her," he admitted.

"Then show your support for her by watching her advance herself," the Archdruid said. Kael'thas could only agree. He had been keeping in constant touch with his small kingdom. And, as much as Rosalia was unsure of it, Malfurion did have her charge up various reserve crystals for Kael'thas to send back to his people. The magic infused in them would help them in the fight. It was also good practice for her to test her strength and mental focus.

 When it came to the stone golem, it was a very vigilant protector of any place she stayed in. It always made sure to be in swift reach to her to guard her. Unknown to the others, however, she did give one of her most potently charged crystal spheres to it in secret. It knew that she cared about it, and it gladly accepted the priceless treasure. It had a whole new purpose for it, and that would be discovered in time, should the need arise.  

Arthas had landed so far north to avoid detection that it was going to take him at least a week or two to reach her. It could be even longer from all the obstacles in his way. The Scourge was never taken lightly. It was a proven fact at all times.

Illidan, however, was calmly learning everything he could from afar. He was waiting for an opening to talk to Rosalia face to face. He would get that opening when she was advised to try some self-taught night training. She was definitely safe enough, and the wards around her would react the moment she came to any form of harm. As much as Perhin wanted to be there for her, he was needed to help place some strategically done towers to help guard over the forest. It simply had to be done.

When Illidan sensed her, his entire body was tingling from the raw power that simply came from her in waves. This was a very dangerous and uncontrolled power. He now had an idea of what he could to get close to her. The only question now was...how should I approach her? He had several options to choose, but he knew she would be quite guarded from all she had been through.

He decided to play it safe and wore a cloak over his form to cover the runic tattoos on him. It was large enough to go over his wings, too, and he managed to fold them in carefully. He couldn't give himself away like that. At least not yet. He also made the decision to hide his weapons. He had to be as non-threatening as possible. His horned head would be fine, though. Malfurion had antlers. Seeing a set of large horns on my head wouldn't alarm her at all.

Also, as an added measure, he added a double layer of a tattered bandage over his eyeless sockets to keep them as dimmed as possible. He knew how much they could glow, if he wasn't careful. He found her sitting in the center of a protective circle. It not only protected her, but it helped her focus her power. She clearly had no idea how to start. When he stepped foot out of the sheltering trees and bushes, she looked over with surprise. "Who are you?"

"Someone that can help you train," he chuckled and sat on the ground in front of her, but well away from the warding. He didn't want to be detected.

"Can you?" she frowned. "Why haven't I seen you before?"

"You could say that I'm not very well liked around here," he sighed.

"And...you cannot see?" she asked when she saw the blindfold. At the sight of him getting tense about it, she cringed. "I'm sorry. It is not my place to ask..."