Cataclysm
Laila's home in Westfall.
After the events within the Deadmines, three years passed in apparent peace. As far as the greater world could tell, Laila was honorably discharged from the military and given a pension in recognition of her extraordinary service. Gryan Stoutmantle gifted her a parcel of land out of the abandoned holdings in Westfall. Laila settled down on her own and began her own vineyard. By the second vintage made with her grapes, the vintner had established an exclusive contract with her, for the wines made with her grapes had become sought after quickly, as the sea air they were grown in imparted a unique yet subtly complex aroma to the wine.
The truth was not so different from how it appeared. For the most part, Laila was now nothing but a country farmer, tending her vines and riding her solid pinto farmhorse, Patch, into Moonbrook for the weekly market. In truth, however, while she had been honorably discharged from the military, Stormwind had not given up her commission altogether. Her services had been transferred to the mage council, where she served as a liaison between them and SI:7. Her duties at present were few–she mostly served as a messenger, receiving and delivering reports between various parties. She had been given the keys to open portals to various locations so that she could travel instantaneously and discreetly from her own home, to a far off city or even another continent without having been seen to go anywhere at all.
She recognized, of course, how lucky she was. The upper echelons of magery were reserved for the wealthy and an orphan of low birth like herself generally only had two options: the military, as she had originally chosen, or to become a hedge witch or wizard, practicing small magics in little villages for other humble folks. Now she was a part of the mage council, and even though she was merely an errand girl for them, she now had relationships with powerful mages and they of necessity had to teach her more. She was torn because she loved the life she had now and knew if she continued as she was, this could be her life from now on, never advancing, but remaining peaceful and happy where she was. But she also knew if she could manage to distinguish herself once more, somehow, then perhaps she could advance farther still. Perhaps she could one day see Dalaran. But that was an almost impossible hope, so for now she had kept to her path, happy as she was.
She and Edmond saw each other regularly, for their duties often intersected. For a time, they became lovers, as was perhaps inevitable, but as it became clear their time together would be confined to fleeting, stolen moments, they returned to being friends. They had realized that their existing closeness would not allow for a casual romance and their different duties and lives would not allow for anything more serious. Laila had been heartbroken at first, but had soon come to see that it was best. If they were meant to be together, it would eventually come to pass. And if not, well the chances of the first boy you meet being your one true love were awfully small. She would surely meet someone else eventually. As a matter of fact, more than one Westfall lad had put in his cap for her, as her farm was perhaps even more enticing than her youthful looks and health. She had let them all down gently, for although she loved her farm, she was not yet ready to accept being a farmer’s wife and of course her duties made that impossible unless she developed a much more close and trusting relationship with anyone than she had now.
It was perhaps, a good thing she had not time to get too settled into her pastoral life, for soon enough it was ripped away, quite literally. Just had Westfall seemed to have thrown off the shadow of the Defias and had once more settled into a thriving farming community, the earthquakes began. Laila cashed in whatever credit she had earned to receive information from those in the know. What she learned was troubling, for the very faction leaders had acknowledged that something was very wrong. Laila passed on a message to Gryan Stoutmantle that the peace may soon be shattered, and he made sure that Sentinel Hill’s defenses were shored up and that it was once again able to receive refugees, should it become necessary.
When Deathwing shattered the world along with his bonds, Laila was prepared. As the earthquakes worsened, Laila moved herself and her essential belongings into Moonbrook’s inn, making trips out to maintain her farm. When the world broke, her farm broke with it. The cliff where it sat crumbled and her home collapsed. It was with a heavy heart that she next reported to Gryan Stoutmantle, ready to come to the aid of Westfall once more. She threw her energy into helping get those whose homes had been affected resettled. She gave no thought to what she would do, for something inside told her that this was a sign that it was time for her to do something else. She was too young to settle into the life she had been living and somewhere within she knew she had more to do.
As if the Light had seen into her heart, she soon received a message from Stormwind.The mage council had received the report of her situation, and Stoutmantle must have reported her unwillingness to attempt to rebuild, for she was invited to the capital to stay. Her former superior, Elsharin, had prevailed upon the mage council and they now offered her a scholarship. She was invited to come study in the tower and continue her training as a scholar. It was not Dalaran, but it was a step in that direction. Such an opportunity was normally only reserved for young lordlings and ladies. She would have access to finest equipment, libraries and teachers that this continent had to offer, since Dalaran had been uprooted.
It was a bittersweet day when Laila trotted out of Westfall on Patch, who was laden with what was left of her possessions. She had made Gryan promise that a patch of land near the sea would always be hers, for she had been happy here and she wished to return. She smiled sadly as she rode across the bridge into Elwynn Forest, remembering the girl that had crossed the other way. She was now 22 years old, and though she knew that was still very young, and that she would be laughed at if she ever said it out loud, she felt so old now, she could barely believe her life was still in its beginning. She felt as if she had lived a lifetime already. Reviewing her last thought, she laughed aloud at herself. She knew she would look back at this moment many times in the future and feel very foolish.
