Music: THE PROMISE - Secret Garden

I stood behind a man who was sitting in a dimly lit room, one candle beside him on a small cabinet. He seemed to be busy, concentrating on something. 

I moved forward a little and saw another figure lying down on a bed to the man's right, covered in a blanket. Straining for a better look I caught a glimpse of chestnut coloured hair on the pillow.

Tentatively, I moved closer and glanced over the man's shoulder. I smelled his scent - it was familiar. I liked it. In his lap was a book in which he reverently sketched a face; a beautiful face.

Her face. 

I noticed some symbols beside the sketch - words. They sang to me.

**

Even amidst my private thoughts, dare I admit this woman intrigues me? Again I am in denial, for it is so much more than intrigue which she stirs within me. But, I must put aside such folly, those days are gone and more important matters lie ahead.

Sweet Elune! And there! In less time than it takes to blink, I negate such words of wisdom. I am inexorably drawn to her. I feel an attraction like no other, but regrettably, I know I must set it aside. Perhaps one day, when things are more settled and secure within Azeroth, I may be permitted to know her...

**

Suddenly, he snapped the book shut. Both he and the figure on the bed wavered before my eyes, becoming faint, transparent. Then another image materialised.

We were aboard a vessel – a gunship.

This time I was in front of the same man. He was tall and looked strong unless that was an illusion owed to the armoured leather collar-guard he wore which sat atop his shoulders and upper chest. He had silver hair and piercing eyes the colour of titanium steel. 

I thought he was quite a handsome man, as men go; strong jaw, a full mouth, a somewhat regal nose. He appeared distraught. His brow furrowed as he looked towards the bow of the ship.

My focus followed his line of sight and I found a woman on the deck. She stood, staring straight ahead; valiant, unwavering,  her eyes fixed on the dark skies. The winds whipped her cloak and there was an air of resilient determination in her posture.

I glanced back at the man. He had been joined by another male. 

This one was huge and blue! With horns! My initial surprise softened as I felt a warm familiarity wash over me. I knew him! I knew him well, yet his name escaped me. 

The silver-haired man knew him too, I could sense it. They were friends. Good friends. Once again the images faded and bled to another.

The silver-haired man now sat beside the woman again as she lay on a bed, a sheet barely covering her breasts. Markings were etched upon her skin, green tattoos which fluctuated and flared. 

The man held her hand, stroking her knuckles with his thumb. His eyes were filled with both sorrow and relief as he gazed at her face... Her face - the wet-eyed woman.

More mist covered my vision, but when it cleared I was thrown into a great battle. Suddenly I saw all sorts of chaos and mayhem. The vision blurred for the most part but I could still make out the man. He was commanding spell weavers – mages, warlocks, shamans - all around him. 

He cast huge shields over the soldiers and civilian defenders. Frost and arcane bolts rained upon the enemy – an enormous fiery red demon. 

The man was learned, powerful; I could feel an exorbitant intelligence emanating from him.

His head turned sharply as his eyes searched for something, or someone, amid all the bodies. I should have known! 

The woman. She was now hovering in the air, a blinding light pouring from her body.

I could feel his panic, his concern ... his love for her!

The images started to diminish once more, giving way to cloudy swirls of water and mist...

**

As my consciousness hurtled towards reality, the last thing I remembered was a small round face and heard what I thought was a baby's cry.

I was catapulted into wakefulness and at first, my surroundings were unfamiliar, alarming. Automatically, I flapped my wings; a reflex when panicked. 

After a few moments, my awareness piqued and I found myself roosting close to where Lunk slept at the back of covered benches and tables. 

He turned over in his makeshift bunk, pulling most of his blanket over to one side which left his back exposed. With a grunt, he broke wind.

"Ach, fur goodness sake!" a shrill female voice remonstrated. 

I looked across and saw a female Dwarf holding a dustpan loaded with what looked like small rocks. She was glaring at Lunk's back. "He's prootin' again! Ah swear, if he dis it yin mair time, ah'm gonna shove these mithril nuggets right up his..."

"Evonice! That'll be enough!" A dark grey-skinned Dwarf scolded. He was naked from the waist up, holding a smithing hammer, so it was easy to assume his trade. He was scowling at the female, who glowered back, just as hotly.

"Well! He stinks!" Evonice protested.

The blacksmith grunted and rolled his shoulders. "Well, maybe it's yer cookin' that dis it!" I could swear I saw him smirking under his black beard.

"Whit ye tryin' tae say, Burni'?" she retaliated.

"Stop ca'in' me that, wuman!" he said, agitated.

"Well, dinnae be insultin' my culinary skills, or ye'll no be getting' ony dessert the night!" she sniggered, asserting a haughty pose.

Again the blacksmith grunted and this time shambled to the back of the benches where we were located. 

"Ah swear, there's mair hot air comes oot hur mooth, th'n dis his backside," he grumbled. 

I watched him jump slightly as she responded loudly.

"At least ma hot air is fragrant, honey buns!"

The grey-skinned dwarf noticeably cringed at her term of endearment. I took it from his reaction he now preferred being called Burni'. 

He leaned down and nudged Lunk. "Up wi' ye!"

Lunk groaned then once more let the wind go free. I could empathise with Evonice after that one. 

The female dwarf huffed, grumbled under her breath then proceeded to carry on with tidying up around the benches and tables at the front of the covered area.

"C'mon lad, up ye git!" the blacksmith persisted.

Another groan and Lunk opened his eyes. He slowly sat up, stretching and yawning as if he had slept for decades. I shuddered when I heard his bones cracking and popping as he rounded his shoulders and neck. 

His hooded lids opened one at a time, revealing surprisingly bright eyes for one just surfacing from sleep. "Morning, raven," he said and smiled, his bottom tusks almost lost in the facial exercise.

"Huh! Speaks tae the ruddy burd furst, yit he slept in ma premises!" Burnie moaned.

Lunk lowered his head for a moment as his smile drooped instantly at the dwarf's words. He looked ashamed. "Sorry, Master Burninate. Thank you, for letting Lunk sleep here. Lunk appreciates it."

The Dwarf was then the one who looked repentant. He scuffed his boot in the dirt and shrugged. "Ach, ah'm only botherin' ye, lad. Yer welcome ony time."

The ogre heaved his body upright and dutifully folded the blanket then placed it on a low serving shelf of makeshift storage nearby. 

I would miss his company, he was a very amiable man with a big heart. 

His small eyes turned to me, his face a little sad. "So you leaving now, Raven?" he asked me.

"I have to, Lunk. Something Muattai said rings true for me. I must find my way home," I conveyed in thoughts.

He nodded and sat down on one of the benches. It protested under his weight, creaking loudly, but it was sturdy enough to hold him. 

He leaned forward, elbows resting on his heavy-set knees. "So where is home?" he asked. 

From the side, I saw Master Burninate watching us. Judging by his expression, he did not appear to consider the ogre speaking to a raven anything out of the ordinary. I guessed the inhabitants of Thorium Point and The Iron Summit, if indeed not the entire region of Searing Gorge, were so used to Lunk and his affinity with all creatures, that it did not lead to many raised eyebrows.

"That's the thing, Lunk, I don't know – yet. Something, however, is calling me to the north."

He made a deep noise in his chest. "I understand. Lunk will miss Raven. You good company."

I admit I was rather touched by that sentiment.  

As I took to the wing, I felt sad leaving the compassionate ogre behind.