Short: Excerpt From "Light's Shadow: Theory of Balance"

In the library of the Cathedral of the Light, there is a small section devoted to scholarly pursuits. This section includes some books, once considered blasphemy, and even today heavily restricted, that deal with what has widely become accepted as Shadow energies. Many of these tomes are the last copies in existence, some salvaged from the now fallen city of Lordaeron. Nearly all of them are damaged in some way, some missing pages, others with visible scorch marks where they were obviously nearly burned to ash because their contents were deemed "dangerous." All of them are under lock and key within the library itself and require special permission to access, especially by young priests for learning.

One rather rash student of the Church, however, "borrowed" one of these books in his own pursuit of understanding of his faith and made a handwritten copy of some of the particularly interesting passages he read. The small book was titled Light's Shadow, a Theory of Balance and the Other Power and was written by an unknown author, though he appeared to be a very wise priest of the Light or scholar of man. These passages have been reproduced here.

The Light is a wondrous thing. It heals us, guides us, protects us, and gives us strength when we have none. Paladins and Priests both gain their miraculous powers through their unwavering Faith in the Holy Light. They are blessed with its power, chosen by the Light to wield in order to aid other followers of same thought, to aid Humanity...

There is another power, one the Light is forever married to, and scholars among the clergy and the mages have dubbed it 'Shadow.' Many fear the Shadow energies, and perhaps they should, for the weak-minded cannot safely wield it, and the arrogant can only wield it with evil intent.

The priest who chooses to look into the Shadows within themselves must be one who is strong, both in mind and spirit. Contrary to popular thought, the Shadow Priest must have a very strong faith in the Light.

We are not writing of Fel energy, as some try to label Shadow powers as Fel powers, or that they are linked in some way. No, Fel energies are something else entirely, something foul and evil, something from a power darker than any Shadow could be. Shadows are, in fact, a product of the Light. There are cultures, both ancient and new, that place a heavy focus on Balance, especially in life and nature. Shadow is the Light's attempt at such a Balance.

An example: Here we have a very dark room. Let us say, for argument, that this room has no window or door, and thus is truly dark. A candle sits on a table, and is now lit. It emits a soft, steady, glowing light. This light illuminates the room, revealing an apple upon the table. One side of the apple is now bright, while the other is dark, shrouded by the shadow it casts upon the table behind it, but still visible. This is, of course, an analogy of the relationship between the two opposite, but not opposing, powers.

If we apply this example to ourselves, we can attempt to understand the relationship between the Light and the Shadow. We are all of us bathed in the Light. All sentient beings who open their hearts and minds to the Light's blessings benefit from it's Holy illumination. However, all of these beings, no matter how they might wish to say otherwise, have Shadows as well. It is not our desire to have a Shadow, to have this shroud upon our spirit, but the Light shines upon us, showing us that we are not perfect, that we cast Shadow even if our intent is only to be pure.

Those who look only into the Light can learn to ignore the shadow, but that does not erase its existence, within themselves or in others. Those priests who can bear to look into their Shadow can, in time, learn to tap its energy, just as the Light can be tapped. This is very difficult to master, perhaps because the Shadow is dependent on the Light, rather than being a power in and of itself. The Shadow Priest can never lose Faith in the Holy Light, as they will then risk losing the origination of their Shadow's power, for without light, no shadows exist. Instead you would simply be in darkness, in void, giving you no power at all. A priest would require a very strong mind as well as strong desire in order to utilize their Shadow energy.

Any priest who can tap this Shadow energy will be well rewarded. Shadow is an extension of the Light, thus any Shadow Priest has the power of the Light as well as Shadow at their beck and call.

Light and Shadow are simply two sides of the same coin, and that coin is a currency a strong, well-disciplined priest can use, if only they have the strength and courage to do so.

These are but the thoughts of one forgotten priest, no doubt long dead, perhaps from war. Still, these words gave courage and strength to a priest when he needed it most. Perhaps they will do the same for you, friend. If nothing else, perhaps they got you to think, and that is a wondrous thing, too.

Warhorse: 4 - The Cathedral of the Light

Seona emerged from the underground station and had to shade her eyes from the late afternoon sun. Smoke billowed from a nearby forge and she could hear the loud sound of the smith working metal, no doubt creating a sword or fine armor. This was the Dwarven District of Stormwind, full of blacksmiths, leather-workers, engineers, and taverns. Large braziers held smoldering fires, much like in Ironforge, and by nightfall the city guards would make their rounds, stirring the flames to illuminate the narrow streets. Machinery could be seen and heard in the streets as engineers tinkered with their latest creations. A few gnomes walked by, deep in discussion about blasting caps, and the paladin just shook her head. For a moment it seemed as if she hadn't left Ironforge at all, except for the sun.

Seona was starving, realizing that she hadn't eaten anything since very early in the morning. She had made amazingly good time to the city, and wondered if arriving early for the training was such a good idea. Still, she had friends in the Cathedral of the Light here, and no doubt they'd be able to accommodate her. She made for the canals, turning right and passing the large open area where several blacksmiths plied their trade. She made a note to return here later, as she had a few places in her chainmail that could use new rings and patches, but was too hungry to stop now.

She had her rations, of course, but she hated to use them when she was already in the City, especially when she might get a free meal at the church. Noting street signs as she walked, she found the bridge to take her over the canals towards Cathedral Square. She stopped halfway across, peering down into the water. As a child, she had heard rumors that strange things lurked in the dark corners of the canals and remembered peering down into the water just as she was doing now. Though she found such things silly now, she still wondered if anything could be down in the murky water. Smiling at the memories, she shook her head and continued on, passing into a much quieter area of the city. As she passed under a large archway, she caught a glimpse of spires reaching up to the heavens. Soon, though, the buildings blocked her view.

No merchants were shouting their wares here, and no blacksmiths or other artisans were working on their crafts. Instead, the buildings in all white stone stood silent and stoic, surrounding the greatest building in all of Stormwind, the Cathedral of the Light. Before it was a round, multi-tiered fountain, it's water quietly splashing, the air cool and calm. A few young priests in white robes sat nearby in prayer and quiet meditation. There were fewer dwarves and gnomes here, as she had entered the heart of the city now. Strangely, she felt more at home here than in Ironforge, though she was surrounded by humans instead of her own people.

The Cathedral itself was magnificent, it's white, stone towers and spires reaching up to the sky and it's windows full of clear, blue glass. A large set of steps rose up to the arching doorway, a blue and golden carpet covering them. Seona remembered the first time she had seen those steps as a child, just another refugee orphan of the war, and sighed.

"Seona?" Her memories were interrupted as one of the priests at the fountain called out her name, running to her side. "Seona! Seona, you're back!"

The priest knelt down and hugged her, laughing, and she returned the gesture, a huge smile on her face. Oh yes, she had friends in the Cathedral.

"Fandren, it's so very good to see you again!" she said, pulling back from her friend's embrace. His youthful face was framed by his two long braids of black hair. Grey eyes looked out from a square face some would no doubt call handsome, his nose just a little on the large size, but not enough to look foolish. Seona knew his easy laugh and quick mind and immediately asked about his studies and health.

"Oh, Seona, I'm doing alright. I suppose there are days when I wonder if I wouldn't have been better served following in your footsteps, though. Some days I think... maybe..." he trailed off, his smile fading.

"What's wrong, Fandren? Is Brother Benjamin being strict with you? You know he has his reasons, of course. You always were a handful." she smiled, hoping for another one of Fandren's lilting laughs, but they were interrupted.

"Speaking of, look who's here." Fandren pointed, and Seona turned to find her old mentor. Brother Benjamin was a tall human, with skin dark as night. His white robes were trimmed in gold, a sign that he was one of the teachers of the clerics, an educator of future priests. He had taught Seona earlier in her life, before she became a paladin.

"Sister Seona, welcome back child," he smiled, stooping a bit and taking her hand.

"Brother Benjamin, it's so good to see you," the paladin said, bowing. Benjamin laughed.

"So formal, my dear! It's been awhile. How are the Wetlands?"

"Wet, no doubt." Fandren quipped, earning him a stern look from the older priest. Seona suppressed a giggle, knowing that Brother Benjamin was a far more serious man than her young friend will ever be.

"They are better off than Darkshire, though it seems much of the Northern lands are troubled by Dark Iron dwarves, the Horde, and other, less pressing troubles. Still, I'm glad to be back, even if it is only for a short time."

Benjamin gestured toward the cathedral, "Come, let's get inside. I've my afternoon prayers to attend to, and you're no doubt hungry and tired from travel." He glanced back disapprovingly at Fandren, then added, "Young Brother Fandren will take you into the kitchens and find you a room." He then whispered to Seona, "Try to convince him to study more, my dear. I worry about him a bit."

Confused by that last, Seona frowned a little, but quickly forgot about his words as she entered the cathedral. The air was cool inside, and she felt finally at home. The vaulted ceilings arched high above her head, and light streamed into the huge, rectangular nave through stained-glass windows above the altar. Columns lined each side of the nave, separating it from the smaller aisles with lower ceilings. She paused for a moment to go to one knee, and thought a wordless prayer of thanks, for everything. Seona felt renewed and at peace here in the church, surrounded by friends and the Light. Brother Benjamin bowed silently, and turned away to make for the right entrance of transept, off to make his own prayers in one of the alcoves.

Fandren turned to Seona and whispered quietly, "You're starving, aren't you? You never do eat when you're mind is on other things." Seona nodded emphatically, and he smirked. "Come on, then." He turned and passed through the columns to the left aisle, walking it's length with Seona right behind, to a small wooden door. He opened it and they both passed through to a much smaller, simpler, stone hallway. This lead to a very small courtyard and the living quarters of the clergy that stayed here in the Cathedral. Off in the distance, Seona heard a horse whinny, do doubt from the Church's stables, her ultimate destination, according to the letter.

Away from the omnipresent power and peace of Cathedral itself, Fandren looked a little happier and Seona was once again reminded of Brother Benjamin's plea.

"Fandren, what have you been up to lately? I feel like I've been gone a hundred years."

The dark-haired priest frowned, continuing down the hallway to the kitchens. "Oh, not much, just study, really, and lots of book reading." He gestured her inside where a long, low table with benches along it's length sat empty, taking up much of the room. At dinner, it would be filled with the inhabitants of the Cathedral, she knew. There was always food of some kind available, though, for visitors or the needy. Today it was a hot, hearty stew and she fell to immediately.

"C'mon, Fandren. I know when you're holding back, and, frankly, so does Benjamin. He worries about you." Seona said, trying to sound lighthearted.

"He's just upset that I don't view the Light the same as he does."

This only confused Seona further. "What do you mean?"

Fandren sighed. "Ah, my friend, you shouldn't concern yourself. It's nothing, really. It's possible I just don't have what it takes to become a truly great priest." He sat beside her, clasping his hands, a little sad.

"Don't be stupid, Fan. You've got talent. Brother Ben wouldn't have taken you as a student if he didn't think you had what it took to be a priest." Her bluntness surprised the young man.

"It's just... I look at the Light as a tool, and sometimes an imperfect one." He grimaced a bit.

Seona wanted to chide him for the remark, but stopped. "Explain, please."

Fandren looked thoughtful for a moment. "I just think that maybe it isn't always the best tool for the job, you know? You became a paladin because of that."

Seona shook her head. "No. I became a paladin because I wanted to do more, to fight, to protect others. Mostly to fight, though." She smirked, and Fandren smiled a little.

"Oh, well, I just think that, as a priest, I'm maybe more scholar and less cleric."

"Now, that I can understand, as I felt the same way for a time. What have you been doing that upsets Ben so much?"

"Um... enchanting." Fandren nearly whispered the word.

It was Seona's turn to grimace. It was fairly well known amongst the clergy that Brother Benjamin disliked the mix of Arcane with the Light's power, claiming that the Arcane energies "taint" the Light inherent in all things. He loves warning of the dangers of Arcane magics, their temptations, and he often cites the numerous warlocks amongst the great Alliance populace as proof of the danger. She shook her head, though, at his occasional backwards thinking and laid a comforting hand on Fandren's arm.

"Don't take him so seriously. Brother Benjamin is a purist, wanting all his students to become perfect healers." Fandren frowned again.

"Well, then, I'm doomed, Seona. I have a terrible time healing anything. Or, at least, a much harder time than others."

Seona shrugged. "Have you considered a different path? Or perhaps approached one of The Disciplined? They use holy Light in a different way."

Fandren nodded. "Yes, I have, and I just... I don't know. The Disciplined are very, well, disciplined-," Seona snorted, and Fandren continued, "-and I doubt I'll fit in well. You know me, Seona, always pushing boundaries and joking around."

She finished up her stew and bread and pushed the bowl back. "Seems to me you're just having a hard time finding your footing. Don't worry so much, Fan, you'll do fine. Look at your options and decide. You can always change your mind later if you feel you've chosen wrong, I mean, look what I ended up doing. You're so young yet." Fandren looked a little comforted, but still confused, and the paladin could sense his inner turmoil. Still, he smiled, punching her in the arm saying, "Not that young, Sister, I'm nearly 20 years old now." She laughed in response, but yawned, tired from travel.

"Well, your room is waiting, you're no doubt wanting to get settled in." Fandren stood.

Seona followed Fandren to the door, saying "Then by all means, my friend, lead the way."

Warhorse: 3 - The Deeprun Tram

The tunnel entrance to Tinker Town was decorated with moving gears and smoothed metal. Loud clanking seemed to come from behind the walls as she walked under the archway and she was certain she heard something explode somewhere past the exit, out of sight. Sighing, she continued down the hallway, standing well clear of the walls that moved as a piston, up and down, hypnotically. Finally emerging in what can only be called a small throne room, the leader of the displaced gnomes, the High Tinker Mekkatorque, was speaking with several of his advisers, all of them at least a head shorter than Seona. His bald head stood above the others only because he stood on a large platform, twin gears arching up on each side. The group was oblivious to the goings-on around them, far too interested in whatever subject they were conversing about to worry about the various people coming and going.

Not wanting to intrude, though Seona was far from the only person walking through the room, she gave the group of busy gnomes a wide berth, instead walking to the right and into another tunnel, this one leading to a much larger, rectangular room with two deep, narrow troughs in the floor. A few other travelers passed her, some on riding rams, and at least one on a large, armored elven sabre cat which she made sure to give plenty of space to. In front of her was the Deeprun Tram station of Ironforge, built by the gnomes to link the human and dwarven capitals. Ingenious and practical, it was, at least in Seona's opinion, the best thing the Gnomes had ever built... especially since it always seemed to work perfectly and didn't backfire. Small, metal benches stood in neat rows in the center of the station and Seona made for one of these, to set her bags down as she waited for one of the trams to arrive.

The seemingly infinitely long, twin tunnels that ran from here to Stormwind each carried one train. Large, cylindrical columns of stone and metal with square bases held up the ceiling. Geometric arches kept the metal rails suspended above the troughs for the tram to speed along. The machinery working under her feet made various strange noises, some beeps, some clangs, each echoing down the tunnels into the darkness, though lights strung up in intervals kept it dimly illuminated in places. The air was still, smelling of dust and a strange, musty scent of the earth and stone, mixed with metal and oil. Everything here was built in steel and iron with some panels showing more wear and tear than others. Blinking lights on a large screen displayed information impossible to discern for probably anyone, especially one such as Seona. She giggled to herself, thinking that even the gnomes probably don't know what the screen displayed. An occasional rat dashed by, making for trash bins or hiding in the shadows of the corners, sometimes disappearing behind loose panels.

One of the many wisps of hair that had fallen loose from her bun brushed her cheek. The air was stirring, and a low, whistling moan emerged from the tunnel nearest her, a sound from the wind being pushed before a tram. Grateful that she hadn't needed to wait too terribly long, she stood, pulling her heavy pack back onto her shoulders. The tram followed the wind into the station, slowing quickly to a stop before her.

The tram was suspended from the single rail above, it's three cars lining up with the three small disembarkment platforms built in to the trough walls on the station's floor. They bridged the gap, making it easy for riders to step from the train to the ground. The cars themselves were little more than open platforms suspended from above, with a short railing around the outsides. Columns made of metal and a strange, green-glowing crystal sat at each corner, anchoring the suspension frame to the platform.

Seona made for the nearest car, the middle of the three, and stepped lightly aboard. The black metal floor of the car was scuffed and scratched from countless traveler's boots and pets, but was still sturdy. She moved to the front of the car and placed her packs down. Gripping the railing, she leaned over just a bit to look down into the trough below, past the complicated-looking link between her car and the one in front of her. Few other travelers were in the station at the time, and only one other boarded the tram, in the last car behind her. A human man, a warrior, from the look of his large broadsword and chainmail, though he looked a bit ragged around the edges with scraggly hair, and a beard that looked like it needed a trim. He was relatively forgettable, though, and she turned back to examining the car. After only a few moments more, the tram shuddered and began moving out of the station, slowly at first, then much quicker, picking up speed as it moved into the long tunnel.

Seona, keeping at least one hand on the railing, looked up past the front car into the dark. Hanging lights seemed to flash yellow and red to complement the steady green light of the tram as they passed by, quickly fading away again into the shadows. Wind rushed passed, pulling even more strands of hair from her bun, deafening in its roar. The tram dipped down a few times, getting further beneath the earth, and the glow from the green crystals soon seemed to fade as they emerged into a tunnel made of what looked like glass.

The tram passed under a part of the ocean, and Seona was in awe of it's blue-green beauty. She had no idea how deep they were, but the water was completely surrounding them, only the glassy tunnel walls keeping it from flooding the entire tunnel. No surface or land was in sight, aside from the ocean floor. Giant strands of seaweed waved in the silent current of the ocean, and glittering bubbles rose from the sand. As they sped past, Seona made out the silhouette of a sunken ship from one of the wars before, perhaps the first war, it's sail still suspended from the mast, billowing in the water as if it were searching for an elusive wind. Most of the ship was embedded deeply in the sand, and she said a silent prayer for the sailors that must have perished when it sank.

As quickly as the ocean tunnel had come upon them, they were through it and away, once again enclosed in the deep darkness of the tunnels, red and yellow lights flashing as they passed. Perhaps, Seona thought to herself, I'll come back and walk down the tunnel to stare out into the ocean. How often will I get such a chance otherwise?

The tram began ascending again, going up little hills in short bursts, and Seona knew they were coming to the end. The wind moaned again, whistling as the tram pushed it into the station ahead. The small paladin stooped and grabbed up her packs again, holding the rail for balance as the train slowed to a stop. This station was nearly identical to the one in Ironforge, still made of metal and stone. It smelled a little better though, as if fresh air came down into the tunnels more often. Seona watched the human warrior disembark and she followed suit, hopping off and moving clear as others boarded, more humans and elves in the mix this time, with even a few of the strange and alien Draenei as well. She ducked out of the way of the taller folk, making for the exit tunnel, hoping that the trip through Ironforge and the wait and ride on the tram hadn't taken too long. If she was lucky, it was still a few hours to sundown here in the human city of Stormwind.

Next Chapter

First Thoughts

I often write as if I was writing any kind of fiction, just borrowing the lore from Blizzard (with thanks). Of course, knowing that what I write takes place with World of Warcraft in terms of the timeline and that what I write is supposed to be about my characters and the game world, there are certain things I occasionally have a difficult time dealing with. I'll try to cover some of those things in my "Thoughts" postings.

They'll cover all kinds of subjects, like time, distance, communication between characters in game, discrepancies in the game story and general lore, currency and how money is handled, etc.

For example, in the latest installment of Warhorse, the story of how the paladin Seona gets her first mount, she takes a ride on the Deeprun Tram. Now, in game this tram takes you from Ironforge to Stormwind in just 60 seconds. That's fast. Really fast. Too fast, actually, to be realistic. It's done as a courtesy for players because who the heck wants to play a game that gets too realistic? I mean, I play to have fun, not wait on some silly train that should technically take several hours (at minimum) to get me from one place to another.

That's something I have to think about when I write. Seona also makes purchases in the story, and currency in the game is not an actual, physical object, so how do I write about it? And mounts! Don't get me started on how easy it is for my Undead warrior, Yrovi, to carry upwards of 35 mounts with her at all times.

When it comes to RP in the game itself, how to players deal with this issue? Do they just limit themselves to one or two mounts, or finding some way of explaining that they have a private stable or something when they switch out mounts?

Lots of questions, and I have at least some answers for myself, though I'd love to find out what others think about things like this and how they deal with them.

Warhorse: 2 - To Ironforge

The morning dawned foggy and damp, typical for the soggy Wetlands. Seona awoke just as the sun was coming up over the mountains in the east, their long shadows still covering most of the Wetlands in a quiet, gray light. It would be hours before the sun was strong enough to burn away any of the thick fog and cloud-cover, though she hoped the gryphons would be awake and ready to fly her away from it all soon enough. She found a small basin of clean water outside her door, along with a small towel, left there in the early hours of the morning. A quick glance down the hall showed that there was only one other guest in the Inn, or at least, only one other still sleeping.

She ducked back inside her room, closing the door behind her. She washed up and changed into light breeches and tunic for traveling, packing away the few loose articles she still had laying about here and there, including the letter from the Stormwind Paladins. Seona did make sure, however, to keep it someplace handy. The gryphon master here near the dock was particularly strict and didn't often allow flights without good reason or direct orders. She did her hair up in its customary loose bun, easy for her after years of practice. A few strands fell loose right away, and she once again wished she were better at the usual braids her people wore as they generally held fast for far longer.

Seona shouldered her packs, blew out the lantern and ensured it was well and truely out, and went down the stairs. The tavern below was entirely empty, aside from a dozing Mikhail and the stout Innkeeper. She smiled sleepily and waved.

"Mornin' lass. 'Ow'd you sleep?" Innkeeper Helbrek asked, no doubt cheerful from the good business last night.

"Very well, thank you," Seona replied, as she pulled out her coinpurse. "How much do I owe you, Helbrek?"

"Fer a night? Seventy-five silver." Seona pulled out the coins and counted them out, for once grateful she worked as a soldier. All who aided the Church of the Light and the Kingdom were often given some discount for rooms and supplies. The coins changed hands and she decided to buy some dried trail rations as well, while she was here.

"'Ow far you goin', lass?" Helbrek asked, curious. Seona shrugged. "Oh, not that far, just to Stormwind, but you never know what will happen along the way." Helbreck nodded knowingly."Aye. Well, you ought'er get goin', then. 'E 'ope ter see you 'gain soon, lassie."

Seona laughed. "Oh, you can't get rid of me that easily, Hel. I'll be back soon enough!"

She left the tavern only to step into a bank of thick fog. The sound of the ocean lapping against the shore came from her left, along with the creaking and soft splashing of a docked ship. She saw the ghostly siluettes of soldiers making their morning rounds of the town, lanterns held lazily at their sides, only to lose sight of them again within moments thanks to the cloudy mist. Already she could feel beads of water trying to cling to her hair, so she made her way carefully towards the dock where the gryphons roosted in their low-lying roosts filled with straw.

As the sounds of the dock grew louder, the gryphon post emerged from the mists, the soft ruffling of feathers almost impossible to hear over the sound of the water, though an occasional impatient growl from one of the gryphons steered her closer. The stern gryphon master, named Shellei Brondir, was feeding some of her flock, cooing softly to a few of the large beasts. So as not to startle her, shuffled her bags and coughed, catching the attention of several of the intelligent gryphons and, thus, their master.

"Who's out there?" the gryphon master asked, quickly finding Seona's form in the fog.

"Sister Seona Lightstone, requesting a flight to Stormwind, Gryphon Master Brondir." She pulled the letter containing her orders out from her bag to present to the tall, firey-haired human. Seona couldn't judge her expression, thanks to the goggles so many of the gryphon riders wore, but she didn't look pleased.

"You want to take one of mine out? And that far?" Shellei shook her head. "No, I'm sorry, I can't authorize it. Most of my current gryphons are very young without the endurance needed for a trip that long. My older, more experienced ones, came down with a coughing sickness, no doubt due to all the damp, and had to be taken back to Stormwind weeks ago. I'm still waiting on decent replacements." Seona was disappointed. There were other routes of travel, but the letter had come to her so late that there wasn't much time left. Her face fell. Shellei's face softened just a little, and she pushed her goggles up onto her head to look down at Seona.

"I'll tell you what. I have one gryphon who's a bit green, but is easily up to the flight to Ironforge." Seona nearly clapped with excitement.

"Oh, thank you! That's more than fine, as the tram under Ironforge will get me to Stormwind just as easily as a gryphon," she then looked over at the beasts who were watching her intently,

"Though not nearly as stylishly." Even the gryphon master laughed and waved at the gryphons.

"Alright, then. Give me your packs, and we'll get my beast loaded for you."

After a few minutes of cajoling and prodding the young gryphon, getting him settled and packed up, Seona was beginning to doubt her decision. The gryphon looked about ready to bolt off without her, and even when he stood still, he seemed twitchy. He seemed far too eager for her tastes, at any rate. Still, this was the fastest way, by far, and she had to make it in time for training or have to wait a whole extra month.

"Alright," Brondir said, waving Seona over. "He's ready."

"So I can see." Brondir laughed.

"Oh, yes, Zephyr is eager. He's fast, though, so you'll get to Ironforge in no time, probably by noon, perhaps a bit after." Seona eyed him wearily, but knew better than to back out now. She moved forward and straddled the fidgety gryphon. Shellei whispered a few things into the gryphon's ear, and Seona watched with amusement as the gryphon seemed to listen and understand. She knew the beasts were far smarter than any average animal, especially the older, wiser ones who could memorize many flight paths without any problems. Still, this seemed more like a mother telling her youngest to behave himself in school, than a gryphon master giving directions to an eager student.

"All right, you're set. Give my regards to Gryth, the Ironforge gryphon master. Remind him that I'm still waiting on replacements, will you?" Seona nodded and nearly lost her grip. Zephyr, the all too eager gryphon and bolted and lept up into the air, the only thing Seona could hear was the laughter from Brondir below and the rushing wind. At first she was a little terrified, as the thick fog was still pressing in all around and in the air you couldn't tell which way was which. For a moment, she thought they would crash right into the sides of the nearby mountains.

Then, gradually, she noticed the light growing brighter, only to burst out of the fog into the dazzling morning sunlight. The snow-covered mountains were just ahead, a sea of grey mist below them, and Zephyr growled with delight, climbing ever higher into the cold, mountain air. Even Seona had to giggle at her initial fright, now that she was safely in the air and soaring easily above the wetlands. She looked down at the gryphon and realized that he'd make a very good one someday, provided he learned some patience. Perfectly honed muscles bunched and moved under golden fur, his tail twitching to keep perfect balance in the air, feathers perfect and rippling in the wind. She watched it all work in unison to keep them flying, higher and higher until they were in the mountains, snow beneath them.

As the morning continued, they neared Ironforge, making even better time than the gryphon master had predicted. Seona guessed, by the sun's position, that it was only mid-morning as the lights of the dwarven city winked in the mountains before them. She patted the gryphon thankfully, getting a good-natured growling call in return. The air was cold, and obviously more difficult to fly through, as the gryphon had to flap far more often to stay aloft. Still, he moved well, nearing Ironforge with the same pace he had set before. The gates were looming ever closer, the giant statue in the doorway, his crossed hammers high above signalling the end of her flight.

Zephyr swooped down, lightly turning as he entered the city, his cry echoing along the stone walls of the gryphon flight tunnel. The air was much warmer here, nearly stifling, as the heat from the huge furnace created strong updrafts, the air visibly churning in the lights of the fire and molten rock. The gryphon bobbled a bit in the air, then pushed and found his aerial footing, moving onward into the heart of the city: The Great Forge. The second dark tunnel opened up into the huge cavern, and the flight was nearly over.

Banking around the molten lava pouring down from above, Zephyr landed neatly in fron of the dwarven gryphon master, panting only slightly with the exertions of his flight. Gryth Thurden walked over and patted him, saying gruff praises and unbuckling Seona's packs as she dismounted. Giving her gryphon a final farewell pat in thanks, she shouldered her packs and turned to go.

Remembering her promise, she turned back and bowed to the gryphon master. "Sir, I was asked by the Wetlands post to inquire about replacement gryphons."

Thurden turned around to look her up and down and snorted. "Ach, she'll get 'em soon enough. Better send a letter to the lass, though, to keep 'er from constantly askin'. Thank'ee for passin' the word along, though, miss. No doubt you've better things t'do." She merely bowed again and resettled her packs on her back, turning right, to make her way towards the Military Ward of the city.

Ironforge was bustling, with many stout dwarves, diminutive gnomes, and tall humans in the streets beneath the mountains. Seona had forgotten what it was like to be amongst so many others, and felt a little out of place. She shook of the feeling, though, and made her way along the tunnels, smiling shyly at passersby. The Military Ward opened up before her as she left the Great Forge behind, though there was still plenty of heat coming from a pit of coals in the center of the square. The Hall of Arms, a very large building carved directly from the stone of the mountain, loomed ahead of her. Warriors and Hunters entered and exited the structure, some in groups, but most alone. Seona looked around to the left and found what she was looking for, the entrance to Tinker Town, the last Gnomish stronghold left in the world.

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