As the Goblins secured the moor-lines, the Silvermoon City Guardians approached the gangplank first. 

Closely followed by his two advisors, The Regent Lord then stepped from the cabin. His ponytail carried on the breeze as he strode confidently towards the edge of the transport.

My perpetual curiosity made me fly down to one of the low walls which edged the tower. I wanted to hear this momentous greeting.

Both regal figures bowed graciously. "Welcome, Regent Lord," Varian said.

The Blood Elf towered above the King of Stormwind, but, he inclined his head and spoke respectfully, sincerely. "I speak for all Sin'dorei when I humbly convey our most heartfelt condolences. Azeroth has lost a meritorious, and indeed, exemplary hero."

Varian momentarily bowed his head, appreciative of the Regent Lord's sentiment.

An unbidden sensation stirred in my belly and it was not from hunger. I had noticed there seemed to be much pomp and circumstance in the city as we had arrived assuming it was part of the funeral arrangements. But who, other than the Wrynn family was deserving of such an elaborate accolade?

"Thank you for your sentiment, Regent Lord."

Lor'themar shrugged, then with his hands behind his back, he spoke again. "Please, call me Lor'themar."

Varian nodded. "We shall dismiss with titles then Lor'themar, especially in light of present circumstances."

"That is fitting. If I may enquire, how is his family faring?"

Varian shifted from one foot to the other before answering. "I have not yet seen them, but my sources inform me that they are as well as can be expected. I did not realise you knew them." 

The King gestured for Lor'themar and his entourage to follow him inside. I hopped along the wall, up and down between the merlons, trying to stay close enough to hear the conversation.

"I don't," Lor'themar replied as he fell into step beside the king. "Although I met him a few years ago, albeit briefly, and I found his conversation most stimulating. I have, however, recently found out they may have been acquainted with my sister."

I was not aware of the Regent Lord's family; this was news to me.

"Ah, I see. Forgive me, I did not know you had a sister nor that they were acquainted."

It seemed I was not the only one ignorant of the Theron family. From the side, I saw Lor'themar's mouth twitch. He sighed heavily. "They were perhaps unaware themselves, for she had been in the service of Illidan Stormrage."

I almost slipped from the wall. Had I heard correctly? Had his sister become a Demon Hunter? My mind rushed through those we had been particularly conversant with, but I could not hazard a guess which one could be Lor'themar's sister.

"And what is your sister's name?" Varian asked.

"Tiene. Tiene Firefury. I am not blood-related, but her family looked upon me as a son. Sadly, she passed away a few months ago," Lor'themar concluded.

Tiene? I drew to an abrupt halt. My mind was suddenly blasted with the image of Tiene, and a male Blood Elf, at the Dark Portal. They were the two spirits Illidan and Sarah had brought forth from Drew and a red-haired woman, who I knew not.

Varian, Anduin and their guests were almost at the door which led down from the tower. I started after them again, taking flight this time and hovering above their heads.

"I am sorry for your loss," Varian said to the Regent Lord. "I did not know."

"Thank you. Few knew of Tiene's allegiance. She had advised me years ago of her intentions. It was the death of her husband, which drove her to join with Illidan. She felt he and his army the best option to help her rout the very thing which cut Camnath's life short - the Burning Legion."

Varian halted as he addressed the Regent Lord once more. "Ah, yes. Well, it is with gratitude to brave souls such as your sister we defeated them. I believe Sarah knew Tiene and was very fond of her. I do not know whether she is aware of her passing, but I shall not speak of it for now. I am sure you understand," Varian said. Lor'themar nodded. 

Sarah? My Sarah?

I will never forget Varian's next words. "It will be hard enough for her today, dealing with the funeral for Khadgar."

I collided with the battlements, momentarily knocked off balance, but quickly righted myself. 

It was my funeral! My denial was no longer valid. Deep down I had suspected, but I had dared to hope that somehow, the dead Archmage who Umrii and Konrad had referred to in Searing Gorge, was someone other than myself.  Such a hope was both deplorable and shameful; I cawed my despair. 

I watched, distraught, defeated, as the sovereign group vanished through the doorway.

My screeching and clicking continued - these revelations were more than I could bear. 

The words "Caagaw! Caagaw!" ran through my head, accompanied by the images of Sarah crying uncontrollably at the ruined portal. She had understandably thought me dead when it collapsed. Unfortunately, that belief had continued.

My earlier fear had just been validated also. Sarah had not found the journal, after all, even though I had left it in plain sight. 

I knew in my heart, had she discovered it, this funeral would not be proceeding. 

Had she been unable to return to the house; too grief-stricken to step into our home? Was the book still lying there, undiscovered on my desk? I had not prepared for that.

Amid the horrifying realisation that she and the world thought me dead, a staggering torrent of guilt rushed me, devoured me. Oh, my darling Sarah. I was still causing her so much pain.

My world crashed around me, for I could see no way of righting this wrong. After all, I existed no more.