Westbrook Garrison

By evening, Laila was back in Goldshire. She slipped quickly through the central square, cloak pulled over her face. She didn’t want to stop and talk to anyone, she just wanted to do her business quickly. She walked hastily up the stairs of the inn and knocked sharply on Master Wefhellt’s door.

“Back so soon, Laila? I felt sure you would stay another night.”

“I wanted to come back straight away, sir. I won’t be staying long, you see. Mistress Cannon has new orders for me.”

“New orders!” Master Wefhellt blustered, “She didn’t tell me of this. What are these new orders, lass? You’re still green, and we still have a lot of training to do! I am very worried about your ability to slow your fall, you must not use it until we can train more.”

“Do not fear, Master Wefhellt, I am not going far, I will be able to return for training. Mistress Cannon has requested that I be reposted to Westbrook Garrison.”

“Westbrook Garrison! But … why?”

Laila was silent for a bit. It hadn’t exactly been the initial request. Mistress Cannon had simply thought to use her as an errand girl around Goldshire, and just yesterday, Laila would have been happy to oblige. But something in Laila’s face had prompted the mage to question the girl, and Laila had ended up begging to be transferred. Mistress Cannon had looked thoughtful, and had told Laila about Westbrook Garrison.

Laila was shocked she had been considered for it, especially since she must have appeared a blubbering child. Westbrook Garrison was a true military barracks. Laila would be among veteran soldiers there, with all that entailed. Mistress Cannon had warned her that they were rough, and that Sumner Trask was a harsh taskmaster, but that was exactly what she wanted.

The incident at the inn had made her realize that in so many ways she was still a little girl. And here she was supposed to be a soldier. How could she face challenges if she was still essentially a child? And how could she rise through the ranks? She couldn’t expect people to take her seriously, couldn’t expect to ever lead people if she couldn’t grow up. The way to do that was to leave. She had had Edmond protecting her from the moment they stepped out of Northshire and he saw how naive she was. It was time she made it on her own, with all the hard knocks that entailed.

Laila snapped back to attention–she was supposed to be speaking to Master Wefhellt!

“Well, sir, there’s been rising trouble there with the Defias. Apparently they have overrun Westfall, but by disrupting the farmers, they have also disrupted food production and now they are starting to go hungry. Westbrook Garrison is all that’s keeping the Defias in Westfall and also the darkness in Duskwood from creeping over the border. This Lady Prestor is not doing anything to help the needy areas of Stormwind, so the mages, in secret, have decided to at least make sure that Elwynn Forest remains protected. They have many important projects here and the Servants ofAzora in particular see the people of the forest as their charges. The mages have agreed that Westbrook Garrison is critical to our defense right now–especially with the town of Westridge as a critical stopping point for travelers and refugees–and are deploying some people there”

Master Wefhellt sighed. “I have to admit it makes sense, and you will get a better education in soldiering there than you are here. And since there are Stormwind mages going, you will get good training as well. I really can’t see any reason to say no, except that I’ve become a bit fond of you. You’re the first true apprentice I have and I feel a bit like a father, if I may say so. Please say you will keep me updated, or even come back to see an old fool mage from time to time.”

At the word “father,” Laila felt herself tearing up. For someone whose father had been lost so long ago, she had had been blessed with an abundance of father figures of the best sort. She couldn’t help herself and she just gave the old man a big hug. He stiffened in surprise, but then chuckled and hugged her back.

“Okay, okay, that’s as good an answer as I’m like to get. Now what about this boy of yours?”

Laila blushed and grimaced at the same time. “I am going to have to write him a letter. I just can’t … we had a kind of a fight … or, well .. it was mostly on my end, but still … I simply can’t face him right now. Not like this, under these circumstances.”

Master Wefhellt looked troubled. “It sounds to me like exactly the time you should face it, but it’s your life, you decide how best to handle it.”

Giving Master Wefhellt one last squeeze of the hand, Laila went to her room and packed up the rest of her meager belongings. She left a note of thanks and farewell to Keryn, and a rather longer letter to Edmond, explaining that he was still her best friend, but that she needed to sort some things out on her own, and make her way on her own for a while, but she would be back before long to have a long talk with him, when she was ready.

When she was finished, she went downstairs and found the pack of mages already waiting outside in the square for her, conjuring food and drink for the journey and lighting torches. She conjured up some bread and fresh water for herself and then, having no horse of her own, hopped up behind her newly designated mentor, a high elf named Elsharin. Laila was a bit in awe of her. She looked like an angel of the light, not a real person. She was tall and slender, with bright, silky golden hair and brilliant blue eyes. She wore fine violet silks, which made Laila’s homespun linen seem even rougher and coarser, and she smelled of peaches and peacebloom. Laila felt sloppy and childish next to her, with her hair pulled back in a nasty knot and Private’s uniform. But she was hopeful, that someone like this could teach her not just about the arcane arts, but also about how to become a woman and a warrior. Sparing one last glance at the little village of Goldshire, Laila wished to herself that when she came back, she would be altogether unrecognizable.

Earning Rank

As Laila prepared herself for her day one dim dawn, the golden light signaling the end of summer, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She nearly leapt out of her skin. She had heard and seen nothing. But it was no ghost, just her roommate, Keryn, who was artfully pretending not to have noticed a thing.

“Master Wefhellt has requested to see you when you are ready. You are remanded to his service by Marshall Dughan for the next few days. If I were you, I would report to him quickly. This seems important and you wouldn’t want him to think you a lollygagger.”

After she spoke, she just kind of … melted away. Laila shuddered. She was used to it, but it still unnerved her. Nevermind the fact that she could launch fireballs from her fingertips. She simply didn’t understand the sneaky kind of magic Keryn was cloaked in at all times.

Performing her final ablutions, Laila made sure she looked neat and tidy and then hurried over to Master Wefhellt’s chamber. She performed a deep bow and a salute. “You called for me, sir?”

“Ah yes, Laila. I have a special task for you, and if you perform it well you will be rewarded. You have excelled in your training, and I think it’s time you were introduced to the mages of Stormwind. It is good timing now, because there is a task that must needs be done and they have requested one of my people, since it needs doing here. You will need to travel to Stormwind in the mage’s quarter and located Jennea Cannon. You are likely to find her within the Wizard’s Sanctum. No doubt you will have to ask someone where to find it, and her.”

Laila beamed and saluted once more. A trip to the city, and an introduction to the mages of Stormwind and a reward! She suddenly felt very important and struggled to dampen the feeling. She was still little more than a child, whatever she felt, and the Stormwind mages were immensely powerful.

“Ah, so you are willing?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Good. If I have a good report back from Jennea, I am authorized to promote you to Specialist. Once that happens, you will be able to dedicate more time to mage training and less to patrolling.”

Laila nodded, and tried to contain her excitement, although she felt that it must be leaking out everywhere. “Yes, sir!”

She packed lightly. Stormwind was only a day’s travel, and her task was to bring her back here, so she imagined she would not stay in Stormwind for long. She hoisted her pack and stepped lightly down the inn stairs to the common room. To her surprise, Edmond was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, a pack on his own back and a small basket in hand.

“Leaving without saying goodbye, Lai?”

She blushed from head to toe. She had been so thrilled about the trip and the future possibilities she had not even thought about Edmond. “Ed, I-”

“It’s okay, Lai, you don’t have to! I’m coming with you!”

“You’re what!?” She was thrilled and also a bit disappointed. She had been excited about embarking on this adventure on her own. Ed and she did almost everything together and she had to admit a part of her had been a little happy about doing something on her own.

“Yeah, I have to go to the Cathedral to do my duty there. I was told you were being sent off to Stormwind too, so I put together a lunch for us while you were packing.”

She grinned, any regrets she had fading. Edmond was her best friend, and it would have been lonely without him. The two of them set off down the road, happy and confident. There were certainly bandits along this road, but both of them had enough training that the uniforms would be enough to keep the scruffy brigands that hung near the city away.

They arrived at the city near evening and since there was no time left to do anything that day, secured lodging. The inn in Stormwind was a very different place than that in Goldshire. It was much larger, for one thing. And populated mostly by tourists rather than townsfolk. The room was full of all types–merchants, a noble or two, and laborers as well, and farmers come into town for market. There was a fiddler in the corner, a jolly old barman behind the counter, and an impertinent looking barmaid making her way around the common room.

Laila and Edmond grabbed a seat in the corner and the merry barmaid brought them over a few flagons of mead and plates full of sweet potato bread, fresh berries, and mugs of goat’s milk as well. The two of them ate and got to know their tablemates. Edmond even got up and danced a jig with the laughing barmaid. As the hour grew late, Laila began to stifle yawns. She tugged on Edmond’s sleeve and let him know she was going up to her room.

“All right, Lai, good luck tomorrow! I’ll meet you back here when we’re both finished and we can go back together. He squeezed her hand as she took her leave, and Laila had to admit she was happy they had come together.

The next morning, Laila got up with the sun. She put on her white private’s robes, combed through her hair until it shone, and washed her face. She pulled her cloak across her shoulders, picked up her carrying pouch and her staff and quietly lef the room so as not to disturb the other patrons. She was just at the top of the stairs when a doorway down the hall opened. The barmaid from the night before slipped out, giggling softly. Edmond’s head poked out softly and he gave her a peck on the cheek and a pat on the rear, at which she squealed a bit.

Laila froze. She felt waves of heat and cold pass over her. Edmond was not her lover, but she had thought that maybe there was something between them. She knew this was what men did, but even so, she had not realized how much it would hurt her to see something like this. Blushing, the barmaid brushed past her, running down the stairs. In a daze, Laila followed. She stopped to speak with the innkeep, leaving a brief, brusque note for Edmond, informing him not to wait for her.

And then, she made her way to mage’s quarter, determined to impress them so much that she could move up the ranks quickly and get far away from Goldshire and far away from Edmond. Some paladin!

Earning Your Keep

The rest of the midsummer festival passed in a blur of celebration and patrols such that after a while, Laila felt almost disembodied, as if she was floating off to the side watching herself train, patrol, and then dance the night away and then drop dead asleep and start it all over again.

When it came to an end, she was completely drained. Unfortunately, it was now time for real work to begin. On the first day after the festival, she dragged herself down to the common room. She felt as though she had cobwebs in her eyes and clouds in her brain. Strange parts of her ached and creaked.

Suddenly, Edmond popped up in front of her, as chipper as a little squirrel. How could he do it? His energy seemed boundless. He gallantly led her to a chair and plopped a mug of hot coffee in front of her, and a bowl of thick hot cereal. “Oh, you’re my hero,” she said groggily, starting in on the breakfast.

“That’s the idea!” he said. “Get that down and wake up a bit, and then we’re to go back to the Greenbough farm and make sure they made it back safe and inquire if they need anything. Marshall Dughan was mighty thankful for them boots.”

Once she had some hot coffee and cereal in her, she woke up a little and perked up. “I’ll just be one minute,” she said to Edmond, rushing back to her room to smooth her hair and straighten her clothing. His comments about the boots had also reminded her that she had some brand new–well, new to her, anyway–boots and she dragged those out from her chest and laced them on tightly, then marched down the stairs properly, as a member of the Stormwind Army.

She and Edmond then set out on their walk over to the farm, which just as before was peaceful with no danger in sight. When they arrived, however, the peace was shattered. The place was in an uproar with some arguing, some crying, and some just looking grim. Peering through the chaos, Laila located Mother Greenbough and made her way directly to the woman, who was in tears.

“Laila, oh thank goodness you are here,” she said frantically. “We are not sure what to do. Yesterday, Benjy and his friend Willem from down the way went off fishing and they’ve never come back. We thought maybe they’d stopped off for the last night of the festival, but his brothers say he never did! Please, please can you help us find him?”

“We will do our best, Mother Greenbough,” Laila replied, trying to calm the woman. “This is what we are here for. Now, can you tell me where he was going?”

Mother Greenbough gulped for breath, and Laila patted her on the back, waiting patiently until she settled down. “Yes, they were going up the river to Stonecairn Lake. I know there are soldiers stationed there, so I thought it would be safe.”

“Well, that’s a good start. We’ll go check with the soldiers first and see if they saw them. We won’t rest until we have some news to tell you.”

Edmond looked pained as they left the farm. “Laila-”

“I know, Edmond, this will probably not end well. Let’s not talk about it, let’s just find out what we can.”

They made their way to the bridge at the river, where they found a Guard Thomas and his men watching the crossing. Laila inquired about the two boys.

“Yes, ma’am, we saw them,” said the guard. “I warned them to stay near the bridge. There’s been murloc sightings up closer to the lake.”

“Murlocs?” Laila asked.

“Aye, murlocs. They’re like a fish and a man combined, with big fangs to boot. They’re not too smart, but they multiply like rabbits and if you’re fighting one you can be sure you’ll soon be fighting three or four at least. If those boys wandered near one of their villages, well, I hate to say it, but we may not see them again.”

“Well, we promised their mother we’d find something out,” said Edmond. “Can you tell us what they were wearing?”

The guard looked skeptical. “If you insist on going after ‘em, at least try to stay in cover. If you see any of them murlocs get out of the way. Once they spot you, they’ll be all over you. They dislike fire, so fight em with that if you have to. If you must, run inland from them. They dislike being too far from water. The boys – one was wearing blue overalls and a white shirt with a brown linen hat, and t’other was wearing all brown from head to toe. One a blond and one dark, and they had their fishing things.”

“Thank you,” said Edmond, “And thank you for the advice. We will heed it to the letter.”

At that, the two saluted, and the guard saluted back, and Laila and Edmond began to make their way up the river. At first they saw nothing but wolves and bears. No sign of any murlocs or boys. Both Laila and Edmond carried torches, but hopefully would be proof against the murlocs. As they drew near to the lake, Edmond suddenly stopped.

“Here’s the remains of a fire. Laila, stay back and be ready. I see some things here. Hold-agh. No don’t come-”

At the guttural whimper of Edmond’s Laila had come running forward, only to see what had disturbed him so. It was a mangled body, barely recognizable except the tattered brown linen and the wisps of dark brown hair strewn across the bloodied and bruised head. The body itself was mangled beyond recognition, looking half-eaten, bones sticking out from battered flesh, entrails removed.

Laila ran to the nearest bush and retched. She soon felt Edmond at her back and looked up at him tearfully when she was done. “I’m sorry …” she said, “I’m so sorry, I should be stronger than this. Please don’t tell anyone.” Edmond was pale, with tear tracks of his own streaking through his dirtied cheeks. His breathing was shallow. “Laila,” he whispered. “There is no shame in this. This kind of thing should never be easy to bear. We do not need the strength to treat it casually, we need to the strength to continue on. That must be Willem, but we still need to find Rolf. We owe it to his mother.”

“You’re right,” Laila sobbed. “I can do it. I have to do it, this is what I do now.” Slowly she got to her feet. Breathing steadily to calm herself. She splashed some ice cold river water on her face and washed out her mouth and something about it strengthened her. “Okay, let’s go, soldier,” she said to Edmond, who smiled a wan smiled but saluted and took the lead again.

As they neared the lake, they slowed and kept to the treeline. In the dim twilight, they soon made out crude huts clustered near the lake. Hunched figures shuffled from hut to hut and around the perimeter in a patrol. Suddenly, there was a commotion in one area. A group of the pallid creatures that must be murlocs stepped to the shore of the lake and in their midst they held a human form. It was Benjy. He was beaten and bruised but still alive although barely conscious. The murlocs began gibbering in some incomprehensible language and one stepped up that was slightly larger than the rest, with a rope belt that had strange and unidentifiable objects dangling from it. From a sheath on the belt, he pulled out a long and wicked looking knife. He turned to the lake and let out a long string of gurbling that seemed a chant or invocation to Laila’s mage-trained ears. Then he lifted the knife over Benjy’s chest.

“No!” Laila shouted, stepping out of the trees and waving her torch, she lifted her other hand and hurled a large ball of flame at the knotted murlocs. “Laila, what-damn!” Edmond stepped out beside her, shielding her as the murlocs turned as one and began to limp-hop towards them. Laila continued to summon fire while Edmond stayed out in front protecting her. Murlocs surged over him, but fell back one by one as the fire took them.

Crying in frustration as she worked, Laila kept her eye on the murloc priest who, undeterred, gave one last mangled cry and then plunged the knife into Benjy’s heart, and as he bled to death, prepared to cut it clear out of his body. “Noooooooo!” she yelled, “You can’t have him for your dirty rituals! He’s going back to his family!” And suddenly, everything around her changed. It felt as if the world disappeared. It was just she and her quarry and she retreated to a deep, cold place in her heart. Acting meticulously as a medic, she first froze the murloc priest in place and then began to bombard him with bolts of frost and fire, burning him down. It didn’t take long. He was a priest, not a warrior.

When it was done, Laila knelt by Benjy’s body and suddenly realized how exhausted she was. She had no strength left and she was in the middle of murlocs with a body to carry back to his family. Suddenly he heard a ruckus behind her and as she turned, ready to meet her death, she saw Edmond and behind him torches, which lit the faces of the carriers, who she soon recognized at the guards from the bridge. They helped dispatch the murlocs that continued to fight and then took up the body between them, to carry back to Goldshire.

Edmond himself picked up Laila and carried her back in his arms. She protested, of course, but he refused to listen. “You’ve been a hero today, woman. No one will think any less of you for being carried if you expended your strength ridding the lake of a menace that murdered at least two local boys, and I’m guessing more. And don’t worry, I’ll put you down before we go into town.”

As for the rest, it got worse before it got better. They had the sad task of informing Mother Greenbough of the loss of her son. She was devastated, but still grateful. She asked for the two of them to come back and visit from time to time, and they assured her that they would.

Laila and Edmond were given three days leave to recover, and both were presented with armor markers from the Stormwind Army supplier. This was a great honor, as supplies were very short these days, and most lower-ranked soldiers must make do for themselves. They had earned a privilege generally saved for the officers – the right to an official piece armor. In addition they were both promoted to private first-class. This came with no extra privileges or duties, but it meant they were no longer the low man on the totem pole. They were recognized as experienced soldiers.

Midsummer Festivities

Laila tried hard to walk calmly down the worn wooden steps to the inn common room, instead of rushing down like a child at Winter’s Veil. It was so difficult for her not to betray her excitement. Today was the day that she and Edmond were to report to Marshall Dughan for their first official duty on patrol.

This morning the common room was decorated with garlands and bouquets of bright red, orange, and yellow flowers. Bright, yet well worn banners in the shape of flames hung from each threshhold. The room was full to bursting with local merchants who were taking the day off for the start of the midsummer holiday.

No sooner had she set foot on the ground when she was grabbed, lifted in the air and spun around. “Happy midsummer, Laila!” Edmond burst out excitedly, setting her back down none too gently. “Are you ready to go see Marshall Dughan?” Laila stumbled and then caught her balance.

“Soon!” she said, a little queasily. “Please don’t do that so early in the morning. I need some hot tea before going anywhere, and preferably would have had it before spinning.”

Edmond just laughed and led her to an open spot at a bench that was large enough for the two of them, then pushed his way through the crowd. He returned with two plates piled with buns and sausages and a two mugs of something sloshy. Laila narrowed her eyes. “That doesn’t look like tea.”

Edmond sighed. “It’s Midsummer, Laila. You can leave your tea for today, this is Midsummer Brew and you have to drink it! It’s part of the celebration.”

Laila smiled and took the mug cheerfully. The drink was spicy and strong, and she had to admit it woke her up just as well as tea would have–perhaps even better. After breakfast, Edmond wanted to go look at the fire, but Laila thought they had better hurry to see the Marshall. “We have weeks to see the fire, Ed, and I’m sure we can honor it tonight. But I don’t want to dally today.”

However, when they found the Marshall, he looked as if he had forgotten all about them. “Oh yes, you two, just the thing!” he exclaimed. “You are lucky that your first day of duty falls on the beginning of a holiday. Your first days of duty will be light, and today in particular. All I’m asking each patroller to do is to go to a local farmstead and escort the folk there to town for the festivities if they wish to come. Not only will the bandits in these parts be looking for folks off their guard and celebrating, but allies of the Horde may be in the area.”

“The Horde … you mean, like … orcs?” Laila asked in awe.

“Orcs, undead, tauren, blood elves, trolls …” the Marshall trailed off. “Normally they don’t come here this close to the heart of the kingdom, but this is Midsummer and it’s to be expected. Many adventurers show their prowess by extinguishing the flames of their enemies. Now mind what I say to you, you are not to engage any of them if you see them, not unless you must and only as necessary to get your escort safely to town. Your main goal should be to get your charges to town safely and quickly, avoiding any trouble.”

“Yes sir,” both Edmond and Laila saluted.

“Very good,” said the Marshall. “You two may take the Greenbough farm to the southwest. It is the one with green fencing around and large orchards.”

“Yes sir!” They saluted again.

“All right, all right, off with ye!”

The soft springtime florals of the woods had given way to the overwhelming verdant green of summer. The air was pleasantly warm, not too hot yet with a soft, balmy breeze. The way to the farm seemed clear. No beasts but the wild pigs and small forest critters that were no danger, and no bandits in sight.

As they walked, Laila and Edmond fell into a casual, strolling mood, lulled by the pleasant day and the holiday atmosphere. Edmond reached over and casually took Laila’s hand as they walked. She felt a mild shock as he did so. Did it … mean something? Milly Osworth had told her that women often did this, worred and fretted over the meaning of every little word or gesture. Laila had scoffed at that, then, but here she was. She decided to push it aside and just enjoy the day, and the comfortable feeling of walking hand in hand with a friend on lovely summer morning.

Soon enough they got to the farm and they both quickly separated and tried to look very official and businesslike. Mistress Greenbough greeted them at the farmhouse door and sent a little girl scampering to gather the other folks. She also brought out a burlap sack, which she handed to Edmond.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“It’s boots,” the farmwife replied. “Resources are thin these days, what with Stormwind keeping itself close and not letting out support to its subjects. Marshall Dughan does a good job of disguising that fact around here with careful planning and I guess a lot out of his own pocket, but he gets nothing from that boy king and his dark lady in the capital there.

Many of the patrollers have worn out their boots tromping the forest. They’ve kept my farm safe ever since those bandits started hiding out in the woods here. I figure the least I can do is supply them with some of our old boots. They’re not as nice as they deserve, but they’re not worn to pieces either.”

Edmond and Laila looked at each other. They had had no idea it was that bad. “Thank you kindly, mistress,” Laila said, dipping a curtsy to her. I am sure everyone will be grateful for your contribution. If we all work together, we will continue to thrive.”

“Indeed, lass, that’s my words too, although I’d use smaller ones, and less of them.”

Laila grinned. By that time, the household was all ready to go and they began their journey to town. There were no troubles on the journey with such a large group, two of them clearly armed, and by the time they got to town, they were all in a festive mood.

One of the older farmboys requested a dance with Laila and Edmond butted in. “She promised me the first dance, but you can go after.” Laila stared at him for a moment, but then nodded her assent. “Very well then, first dance to Edmond, second dance to … “

“Benjamen. Benjy for short.”

“Second dance to Benjy. But first we must honor the flame.”

Laila approached the towering bonfire and knelt before it respectfully, feeling its heat on her brow. Once she had properly honored Goldshire’s fire and saluted the Flamekeeper who steadfastly guarded it, she finally relaxed and made merry. She danced her dance with Edmond and then her dance with Benjy, and then more dances. Whirling around in the warm night air, lit by the flickering flames, she felt less like an ordinary girl and more like some exotic creature.

It was one of the most magical nights of her life. Even the people she had gotten to know in her first days of the village seemed like mysterious strangers in this light. The revelry was electric and contagious and she couldn’t help but give into it. And well … the Midsummer Brew was potent. A some point she noticed couples stealing off into the darkness and she blushed. This kind of thing never happened at the abbey, which had much more sedate celebrations.

Suddenly she felt a presence behind her. She whirled only to find Edmond looking down at her. Her breath caught. Might he ask her … to go in the woods with him? For a second she thought she might almost dare.

“Remember Laila, we have to return to duty again tomorrow, and despite the fact that it is a light duty, we should still get some sleep. Come, let me escort you to your rooms.”

Laila smiled sheepishly. How could she have thought …? Once again she was an ordinary girl, and the exotic creature had vanished and with it her forward thoughts. “Thank you, Edmond. I suppose it must be very late, I lost track of time.”

She took his arm and allowed him to lead her to her rooms, just as a gentleman should. No funny business at all, just a tug of his forelock, and a little bow and a “Goodnight!” and he as gone.

Sighing, Laila retired to her bed, brimming with memories of the feeling of the day.

Settling In

The next morning, Laila awoke to find herself alone. Her roommate was gone and so were most of her things, but not all. Laila splashed some water on her face, cleaned her teeth and combed through her hair, and then she pulled on her robe and made her way down to the common room.

A cheerful fire warmed the room, chasing away the chill of morning, and the bustle and noise of the inn patrons getting their morning ale or breakfast made Laila feel cosy and homey right away. Despite the fact that she was here to do exactly as she had always wished, for a moment she wished she could just work as a serving maid in the inn and partake in this cheerful atmosphere all day.

Laila shook herself out of her reverie and approached a long table where the morning’s breakfast was set out. She picked up a trencher with a hunk of fine aged cheddar, some cured ham steak and a piece of soft, warm spice bread. From the barkeep she got a glass of cold milk and found a free spot at the large communal table near the fire.

The Innkeep approached her. “How was your sleep? I trust everything is to your satisfaction?”

“Yes, sir. I slept quite well. May I inquire of the woman I share a room with? She seems to have left.”

“Ah, Keryn, don’t worry about that, she’s not left for good. Keryn works for a group in Stormwind and if you stay here long you’ll find she comes and goes. You’re lucky to get that room, you will often have it to yourself. She’s a secretive one, and doesn’t talk much, but she is working for the common good, don’t you worry.”

Laila smiled. “Thank you, I will look forward to her return, then.”

Laila looked curiously around the room as she ate. Edmond wasn’t there yet. Either he was sleeping in, or attending to his trainer, perhaps. Next to her was a sturdy, capable-looking blonde. Her hair was neatly combed and she wore a typical peasant’s garb of a soft blouse and colorful skirts. “Good morning,” Laila smiled at her neighbor.

“Good morning,” the woman replied cheerfully. “My name is Michelle.”

“Good to meet you, Michelle. My name is Laila. I have just joined the Stormwind Marshals.”

“Ah, good for you, as long as your kind are around, Elwynn will remain peaceful and prosperous, unlike our less fortunate neighbors. I am the physician for Goldshire. If you are injured, you will come to me. Hopefully I will see you more often in this common room than in my quarters upstairs.”

“I hope so too! What is this about the less fortunate neighbors?”

“I am afraid that Stormwind has not been paying much attention to the welfare of its own subjects these days. I do not think this will be remedied soon. The whispers from the capital indicate that Lady Prestor, the main advisor to the king, is the true ruler in Stormwind now, and her ruling seems designed to bring dark days to the kingdom. No one can understand why Lord Bolvar puts up with it.

There are areas of the kingdom that are threatened by these Defias and other worse threats. The whole of Duskwood is cloaked in darkness and haunted by Light knows what. And yet this Lady Prestor holds in the troops and refuses to send any help citing a lack of “proof” though no proof is ever good enough for her. At this point, everyone has given up and the people of Stormwind are forced to muster their own defenses as best they can.”

Laila gasped. “That’s terrible! Can’t we send someone to help? This land seems well off.”

“I am afraid not. We do well here because we are able to protect our lands well, but the balance is tenuous. If we were to send our marshals away to help our neighbors, the Defias and the marauding gnolls in the forest would quickly take advantage.”

“That is too bad. I hope the other villages can train enough men and women to defend themselves. Or perhaps things will change as the king gets older. He is little more than a boy, isn’t he?”

“Yes, it’s true he’s just a boy, but he’s growing up under this Lady Prestor’s influence. We can only hope that he contains some of his father’s strength and that the Lord Bolvar is teaching him well, despite his inability to oppose Lady Prestor. Perhaps when he gets older he will indeed do the right thing. I only fear it will be too late then.”

At this point, only crumbs remained on Laila’s trencher and the crowd was beginning to dissipate from the common room. Laila and Michelle said their goodbyes, promising to meet again in their free time. Laila spent the rest of the day making the acquaintance of the local tradespeople, and making her introduction to the craftspeople she was directed to meet by the abbot of Northshire.

Her day was so pleasant, wandering around the peaceful forest and talking to the people who would be her new friends and neighbors, that she was a little wistful when the day ended. Soon she would have duties and little time for rest or freedom. Despite her leisurely day, she found herself exhausted by the end. So much walking and talking could wear her out as quickly as hard labor and arcane training.

She collapsed into her soft pillow, relishing the peace and quiet and privacy of having the room to herself. A small fire crackled in the small stove in the corner and the faint smell of the woodsmoke and the fresh flowers in the vase near her bed mingled in a pleasant way as she drifted off to sleep.

Goldshire

Laila arrives in Goldshire

Laila and Edmond met up outside the abbey, bags packed and ready to go. They were both outfitted in the clothes that had provided for them by the marshals. Bright white linens signalled their novice status and their dedication to the light. Laila had a pouch worn close under her bodice that contained a letter of introduction to the marshal in Goldshire as well as letters of introduction to a local herbalist and local tailor in the region.

Laila had spent some time before leaving in close conversation before leaving, and he had advised her that although she would be provided for by the Stormwind Army, he recommended that in her free time she begin to learn some trade skills. She may not always be a military person, and in some cases, she may even want to play down the fact that she was a magic-user, in which case a trade would come in handy. He also pointedly said that she may want to settle down and get married someday, in which case she would need some skills that would be useful in the home.

She frowned at that last. She would like to fall in love and get married someday but her desires included finding a partner who was adventurous and brave, and that instead of settling down to a domestic life, that she and her husband would not change their lives at all, but adventure together. In any case, although she was old enough, she had no immediate plans to marry or even look for a husband. It would happen when it was meant to, or not at all and no need to worry overmuch about it.

Edmond snapped her out of her reverie. “Ready?”

Laila took a deep breath, trembling a bit. “Yes, let’s go.”

They stepped out of the gates of Northshire and for Laila it was the very first time. She waved to the man on guard there, and forced herself to leave it that. She was not going to act like a baby now. This was what she wanted. They only walked a short way down the road when Laila stopped in shock.

“What is it?” Edmond asked. “Are you all right? Did you forget something?”

“No .. I mean yes … I mean … those houses there–is that it already?”

“Why, yes, Laila! Wait … have you really never been outside these walls before?”

“I have, but only when I was a babe and lived deep in the woods with my family. As soon as I was old enough to know the world around me, I was living at the abbey and have never until now had cause to leave it. In that valley, I had a home, food, an education, and friends. Not to mention that I was a child for most of it.”

Edmond laughed. “I am little more than a child as well, but I have roamed these woods most of my life. There is not much danger in them now and I think our jobs in Goldshire will be very easy.”

Laila began to laugh. “I can’t believe how nervous and scared I was to leave the abbey. Now that I see it’s just a stroll down the lane it feels so … silly. I could come back here in a moment’s notice if I had the time. Suddenly, everything seems to look different to me.” And indeed, most of her fear dissipated and she felt the lightheartedness and warmth of going off for an outing on a sunny day.

Edmond laughed with her, and took her hand and they strolled off down the road. It was still morning when they reached Goldshire and the first thing they did was secure their places in the inn. The innkeeper was expecting them and gave them a store of snacks and water to keep in their room and then assigned them to their spots.

They did not rate rooms of their own, so Laila tentatively brought her things to the room she was to share. Her roommate was a rough looking woman who simply said a brusque hello and went back to the missive she was writing. Something about her made Laila nervous, so she locked her things carefully away in the provided chest and surreptitiously tried to put a little charm on the lock to boot. The woman looked at her pointedly as she did so, so likely the surreptitious part failed completely.

After they were settled, Laila and Edmond met again in the common room and she wondered if her demeanor was as changed as Edmond’s seemed to be. She certainly felt much as he appeared. Now that she was here, on her own, she suddenly felt very grown up. No more abbot or brothers to answer to, at least not for her personal choices. Certainly she would still be working for someone but other than that she was on her own now and could do as she pleased.

They went together to Marshal Dughan to report for duty, bringing their letters of introduction with them. He read their letters, welcomed them into the fold brusquely and then informed them that they could take a few days to explore the area, get to know the townsfolk, and settle into their new surroundings. At then end of that time, they would report to him for their first assignment.