Pink Rose [1]

"Kael'thas Karma"

Quest Objective: Beware the daughter of the sea (but the boyfriend is harmless).

~ Isle of Thunder ~

More rain. It splattered across the surface of the ocean that seemed to stretch on for miles. Only hours ago, it looked like a great valley of blue silk, gleaming beneath the sun. Now the ship was riding across a writhing monster.

I gripped the railing to the elven ship, grinding my teeth together as I looked down at the thrashing waves. There were no oceans on Outland, only lakes and marshes. The idea of oceans still confused me. All of the empty space in the world, between continents, filled with water? I'd seen what could be lurking at the bottom of a single lake. I couldn't imagine what swam in Azeroth's depths.

A hand clamped the railing close to mine. I glanced up at it's owner.

"You came," Halduron nearly had to shout to be heard. He was smiling.

I shrugged, but it was hard to know if he caught the gesture with the constant sway of the ship. "Wouldn't miss it, but I'll pass on the tempest."

The taste of rainwater filled my mouth. This storm was something else. I'd rather drink water than inhale it.

Halduron looked out at the foaming whitecaps, then my gloved hands clenching the painted red wood. "Not a fan of the water?"

I shook my head. "This isn't really my thing—!"

The ship started to tip, making our side veer towards the water. I clung to the railing desperately, my lungs sore from holding back shouts of alarm.

Hal remained on his feet, staring at me and my ridiculous behavior.

"Not all elves are lithe and balanced," I said, looking away from his face as embarrassment prickled across my skin.

"...You know, they say Prince Kael'thas was an excellent dancer. He still continued all sin'dorei traditions and festivities, even on Outland," Halduron replied over the rain.

When I gave him a quizzical look, he shrugged and leaned on the railing. "You inspired me. Did some research, although I still can't figure out why he planted that enormous red crystal in the soil of Hellfire Peninsula."

I felt a small smile on my lips. "It's a mystery."

"A true enigma, the Sun King."

Halduron's blond hair started to cling to him from the onslaught of rain. He glanced at the other blood elves on deck, weaving spells to keep the wooden planks dry.

"I need to check if we're on the right course," I barely heard him say. Hal picked himself up from the railing, then saluted me. "Bunny-Terminator."

I saluted back with one hand, the other still wrapped around the railing, "Ranger-General."

With a grin and a wink, he was gone.

I gazed at him thoughtfully as he was flagged down by one of the officers. He's not like the others. Strange, I never heard him mentioned by—

"Sea monster! Dead ahead!"

All of the blood and warmth evacuated my body. I felt the ghost of a touch on my shoulder blade.

I jumped, letting out a shout. Behind me was a cloaked figure, soaked in rain.

He removed his hood.

Kalecgos, my other brother only by title, and of the blue dragonflight, smiled at me. "Hi."