Beneath broken stone and warped metal, a solitary raven panics as it senses imminent danger. It escapes certain death mere seconds before the structure finally crashes to the ground. On soaring above the devastation, the bird spies a wet-eyed woman...
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The next couple of days were frustrating, to say the least. Sarah was attentive, although much quieter since the visit from my colleagues.
But she still insisted on maintaining a degree of normality - which meant continuing life as if I was no longer part of it - yet.
It was bizarre having to be 'invisible' to the world. Even odder now that the entire High Council of the Kirin Tor knew I lived. More infuriating again, since I had heard about the pending unrest in Lordaeron; I needed to be in Dalaran with my colleagues.
Furthermore, the one individual I sorely hoped would visit did not. Illidan. Having been the one to return me to my human form, he conspicuously stayed well away. I suspected Sarah influenced his absence - entirely why, I had not yet worked out.
Admittedly, I was inordinately curious to see him as his 'former self' – untainted by demonic characteristics and traits. I did wonder somewhat, if he felt slightly less than himself, having forsaken the mantles of Betrayer, Lord of Outland and Leader of the Illidari. Principally, I was desperate to speak with him – to thank him, apart from anything else.
Sarah remained insistent on announcing my survival at some lavish dinner party. Initially, I understood her thinking; wanting those closest to us to know first, together. But as time went on, my being cooped up – in effect, hiding, was driving me insane.
A day later, I was at breaking point.
I sat on the sofa with Ocel beside me amid a collection of cuddly toys ranging from sheep to camels to murlocs. He chortled as I played hide and seek with him from behind a cushion even though my mind was not on the game.
I heard Sarah continuing to plan this resurrection party - and I became agitated.
"This is ridiculous, Sarah," I said - not unkindly, but firmly.
She looked at me as if I had just insulted her. Instantly, I felt guilty - she had been putting a lot of thought into this plan. But things were changing, and going by what Modera and Kalecgo advised me, then it looked like another war would be upon us soon enough.
"I want this done properly," she bit back. She'd been in the process of ordering a marquee, caterers, floral displays, musicians – although I put my foot down at that - I was not having the neighbourhood subjected to some dire off-key musicians and complaining about the noise.
"Don't you think people will question why a recently bereaved woman would be organising a party?"
"But, this is necessary Khadgar. I – I do not want your survival drip-fed to those who mean so much to us. Imagine how Gwen and Erik would feel if, for example, Estelle the nanny and your groupies knew about you being alive before they did?"
"My what?" I asked utterly at a loss. Who was Estelle and her 'groupies'?
"Your female fan club in the city!" she huffed.
Ordinarily, I would have found that amusing, maybe even flattering, but certainly not at this moment.
"It's easily solved, Sarah. Just inform Gwen when she next collects Ocel, and she'll trundle off up to the cottage and tell Erik. He's not that precious about being the first to know everything."
"Well I beg to differ," she said haughtily. "Besides if we told Gwen - bless her - the whole of Azeroth let alone Stormwind would know before she even reached the gates."
"And where exactly would the harm be in that?"
"The whole fucking world mourned you!" She responded sharply.
Unfortunately, it made me react similarly. "Haven't I been dead long enough? People need me, Sarah!"
Ocel start to cry. Sarah was also upset. "I need you too," she whimpered.
She came over, lifted Ocel then stomped out the living room to the nursery.
I quickly followed. "Sarah!"
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