Eye of the Beholder

Eleven.

Ever since the rumors of the massacre at Zin-Azshari spread, Suramar had been overwhelmed by activity. Its citizens scurried about, trying to pack up their belongings and settle affairs in case they had to flee. No official reports had reached the city yet, but the Sisters of Elune had felt the severance of the Well's power. They had no need to wait for confirmation; they knew that the power of the Well was gone. Though they didn't draw from the arcane source directly, their race was undoubtedly tied to its energy. It was impossible not to notice the change. Many of the citizens of Suramar had sought reassurance from the Temple, and the Sisters of Elune opened their doors to any and all who needed a safe place to pray to their Goddess.

The most frightening part of it all was when they felt their sisters in Zin-Azshari perish. Terror, confusion, and desperation had rippled through their ranks, and many of them turned to their Mother Moon for comfort, with prayers that their sisters passed as peacefully as possible. None of them needed an official report to confirm what they knew, and felt, to be true. That alone was enough to convince Eliana that perhaps it was a good idea to leave. She could simply run home, pack her things, and she and her father could run to safety.

But where would she go? The other Night Elven settlements were far smaller, and in her heart, she felt that her place was here at the Temple. If she ran, there was always the chance that she'd run into a settlement that wasn't Elven, and that was an outcome she most definitely did not want.

A woman and her child rushed past, and Eliana jumped back from the path, narrowly avoiding being plowed over. From the top of the Temple stairs, Tyrande called out to her, "Eliana, what are you doing down there?"

With a sigh, Eliana gathered her skirts and trekked back up the steps. She sidled up to Tyrande, who was standing just before the edge of the veranda, gazing down at the square below. Her friend looked at her admonishingly, and Eliana let out a huff. "I just thought that perhaps we could see better from the plaza whether they'd come back sooner."

"I find that the view across the square is slightly better from up here. There are too many people milling about to have a clear view of the entrance."

Eliana's gaze returned to the archway on the far end of the square. "I suppose you're right." A few seconds passed before she mumbled, "Don't you think it's been far too long since they left the city?"

"It has only been two days, Eliana."

"But with what has happened at the capital...We still do not know where Malfurion and Broxigar are, and Illidan left with Lord Ravencrest. Wouldn't Lord Ravencrest's troops be the first ones to respond to the situation at the palace?"

Tyrande's slender eyebrows cinched together. "Yes, I would imagine so." A beat passed before her friend added, "Eliana, Illidan will be fine. He is a capable warrior."

Choosing to ignore Tyrande's mention of Illidan—even though her friend had correctly guessed the subject of her worry—she instead asked, "How are you not worried?"

"I never said that I wasn't worried. I've simply been trying to keep my mind otherwise occupied."

Eliana hummed, though it was more as an afterthought than true agreement. Her friend was right in saying that two days wasn't very long, but the events at Zin-Azshari had been weighing on her mind since the first rumors had reached them. Though she had faith in Illidan's abilities—despite the fact that she'd only seen him use them the one time—it didn't stop her from worrying.

He wasn't the only one on her mind. Cytheas was one of Lord Ravencrest's soldiers, and even though they weren't speaking at the moment, she still cared about him. She could only hope that he hadn't been at the capital.