The meeting ended after Berinand gave Felenn and me the rundown on what sort of creatures we may encounter. While not designed to scare us senseless he nevertheless gave enough information to ensure sleep would be elusive - unless we had a little helping hand in the guise of more cider and egg nog.

There was no denying and no way to ease the fact that this was our first big adventure outside the confines of the Violet Citadel. And also out from under the protective wings of our mentors. Yes, we'd aided them on some small expeditions and quests during our apprenticeships, but nothing was ventured on our own, where we were entirely reliant on ourselves.

And a hulking, arrogant elf hunter.

I honestly don't know which unsettled me more – the many bloodthirsty creatures hiding in the snow and ice waiting to pick our bones clean, or the thought of being stuck with Araellor for goodness how long the expedition lasted, and possibly within some very narrow, constricting spaces.

I lay on my cot, staring at the ceiling mostly. It was fast approaching evening, yet the sun, when it poked its face out from behind the heavy clouds, had barely touched the horizon. I was sure it had hung there for over an hour as if it didn't want to go to sleep either. Perhaps it knew what tomorrow would bring and was sparing us the stark reality that tomorrow could be our last day. I didn't really have a good sense of time, but I sure had an active imagination.

Felenn was sitting on her bed, brushing her ridiculously long, beautiful hair. We hadn't spoken much since the end of the meeting, other than a few words of appreciation regarding our beverages and the salver of cheeses, with homemade biscuits Serrah had sent through for us.

I thought back to the little pouch Felenn gifted me earlier that day, which was now tucked under my pillow, protecting my mother's silver locket. It was such a lovely gesture and one I did not deserve. My aversion to elves could, to some, seem irrational. Racist, perhaps. But I knew from where it stemmed. Strange to think that all it took for me to rebuke them, started the few nights my parents and I went into hiding during the cull.

I could remember hearing the unearthly sounds of the forests where they lived, hunted, fought and died. The eerie calls and grunts that hailed from no animal - known to us anyway. I heard them whispering in their strange tongue and in the common language.

My father had tried to relay my fears, but I could not unsee or not hear that which I'd bore witness to during out travels to Lakeshire. The nights were always the worst. Of course, everything is amplified then, taking on a new cadence and appearance.

And when I had gone to bathe in a nearby stream on the night I'd started to bleed before my due time...

I shuddered.

"Are you alright?" Felenn's voice interrupted my reverie. Thankfully.

I sat up and reached for my hairbrush, thinking it was time I started preparing for bed. "I'm fine, yes," I replied. I glanced at her, and I could see she was concerned. I tried to deflect her worry. "How are you?"

She gave me her full attention, pulling her legs under her so she sat cross-legged on her cot and facing me. "I'm unsettled to tell the truth."

I couldn't help wondering if she really understood what being unsettled was really like. "You worried about tomorrow?" I asked, trying to shed the dregs of negativity towards her. She had been nothing but nice to me since we arrived, but it was exhausting having to always try to be nice and upbeat in return.

"Yes, I am. Aren't you?"

So, this was how it was going to be. Short questions and even shorter answers. Be nice, Klara. As always, my mother's voice kept me right.

"If it's any consolation, yes, Felenn. I'm quite nervous about it. I don't think the climate helps either."

She smiled. I must admit, now I really looked at her, she didn't come across as I'd convinced myself she did those months we shared a dorm with four other people. In fact, she was very sweet, unfairly pretty, and had a caring nature. Perhaps they weren't all alike, after all.

"What did you mean when you said that you didn't blame me for not warming to Kalanae?" I asked.

Felenn blushed a little. It was quite possibly the most colour I'd ever seen on her cheeks. "Well," She began, a little reserved, hesitant. "She can be unkind. Hurtful."

"Did she say or do something to you?"

Felenn nodded. "Kalanae comes from Silvermoon, as do I. But her family lives in an affluent part of the city, whereas my... parents are of modest means."

I noted her hesitancy when speaking of her parents, but I didn't think it was appropriate to pursue it. Right now, I was curious about our old roommate.

"Kalanae has always thought of herself as better than most," Felenn continued.

"Did she have a go at you? Was she nasty?"

I could tell by the look she gave me that she'd considered my manner was, at times, very close to being unpleasant too. I sighed. "Apologies, Felenn, I know I have been out of turn with you on occasion. I am trying to be better."

The pretty elf nodded, offering me a little smile of acceptance. "She was less than kind at times," Felenn continued. "Even back home. More so, probably, because she could get away with it easily."

"Didn't anyone stand up for you? What about your family or friends?"

"They tried, yes, but they didn't dare upset Kalanae's parents either."

"Why? What's so special about them?"

Felenn looked wistful, resigned perhaps. "They have positions at the Spire, working for the Regent Lord, so they are highly thought of. It would be considered uncustomary to complain to such well-doing individuals that their daughter is less than exemplary in her behaviour."

"I see," I replied, not really understanding why that would prevent them from being approached. But I was also wondering about Felenn's family. I sensed there was something she was reluctant to discuss. Still, now was not the time. "Well, she has no right to consider herself better than you. You have obviously done well to have earned a scholarship, so that would make you equal, in my opinion."

Felenn smiled appreciatively. "I was always studious; I love to learn. Even if I do say so myself, I rightly earned the scholarship..."

Again, she hesitated, but this time, I suspected why. I spared her from blurting out the accusation. "Kalanae didn't though, did she? I bet her parent's influence alone enabled their daughter to get a scholarship."

"Yes. You're correct. Kalanae was never particularly dedicated. She was often in the lower end of classes. I think that because she knows that I know..."

"Ah, I get it! She's jealous and is bullying you, so you don't spill the beans about her mediocre school marks."

"I think that may be the reason she acts the way she does, yes."

"Well, she won't be able to cover up her shortcomings with the Kirin Tor. If she fails to achieve what is required, they will not allow her parents' influence to sway them. She is on her own now."

Felenn nodded, but I somehow didn't think she felt Kalanae would be any easier to deal with.

"Don't worry, Felenn. On this expedition, you will deliver. I know what you are capable of, and I've no doubt you will succeed."

Those azure eyes welled, although to say it was with tears of appreciation or not, I couldn't truthfully say. Regardless, I felt a little awkward about her show of emotion.

More incredibly, I was surprised by myself! I'd been genuinely understanding towards her, and the fact my words seemed to hit a spot astonished me even more.

I guess I learned something of value in that moment: that I had been unfair in my judgement. That I should not have judged at all.

To try and lighten the mood, I thought I'd steer the conversation away from Kalanae. Although the subject I chose wasn't really well thought out. "What do you think of our intrepid guide? Or 'guardian and protector', as he put it."

A small laugh escaped Felenn. "Araellor?"

I nodded but was left wondering what she found funny.

"He's confident and I believe he has the skills to protect us well," she stated.

"Hmm."

Felenn put down her hairbrush, uncrossed her legs and swivelled around on her cot. I do declare I saw a mote of amusement in her eyes. "I sense you don't like him," she said. "Is it because he's an elf?"

Ouch! That was an unexpected kick to the nethers. Had I really been so obvious in my distrust of them?

"Tell me. Why do you dislike us so much?" She scooted to the edge of her cot, planting her dainty feet on the plush rug between our beds. I knew then she wasn't for dropping the subject. There was no escape. I'd backed myself into a corner with my enquiry.

I don't know whether her asking me outright made me break into a sweat, or my reason for being so edgy about them was at fault, but either way, I hadn't been prepared for such a blunt approach. I probably deserved it, right enough.

I took a deep breath before I began. "My parents and I had to escape Stratholme before the cull." I glanced at Felenn. She knew about the cull, as did everyone nowadays. She listened politely as I continued. "To ensure Arthas' men couldn't find us, we sought refuge close to the border of the Elven lands to the north. We heard strange noises from those territories. I know the Trolls are there too, but their voices are very distinctive - so I knew it was the elves I heard that night..."

I shuddered as the memory flooded back and I found myself struggling to think of the words to say next. Felenn did her usual - the laying of a gentle hand on my arm. I took another gulp of air. "One night, I ventured to a nearby pool. I needed to bathe. The time of the month had come early and that, coupled with hours spent huddled in a wagon in sweltering heat, made me a bit smelly, to say the least. So, I placed my clothes on an overhanging branch and stepped into the pool."

I felt very uncomfortable revealing what had happened. Whether it was because I just wanted to forget about it, or because I was laying myself open for ridicule by an elf, I wasn't sure. Regardless, I'd started now, so I had to carry on. Perhaps it would serve as a purge and relieve me of my aversion. "I thought I was safe, that no Trolls or Elves would be that close to the border. But then I heard them. Two, I think... Maybe three. They spoke in a mix of Elvish and Common Tongue. They were watching me, commenting on my...body. Being very derogatory and... foul-mouthed What they wanted to do to me was ... unimaginable!"

I started shaking but as the memory opened wider, my words fell from my lips in a heated rush. "Then I spotted one close by. His face was painted, I don't know what with, but I assumed it was a form of warpaint. He had very long white hair and his eyes! They seemed to pierce the dark and see right through me. He was coming for me – slow and steady, but there was such malice in his manner. He..."

The next thing I knew, Felenn was sitting close beside me, her arm around my shoulders, squeezing gently. "What happened?" she asked softly.

"My father shouted my name. He'd panicked when he saw I wasn't in the wagon and with my mother sleeping, she hadn't noticed I was gone. I think hearing a male voice startled them. My father is a big strong man, and he can sound really menacing at times, but he has a good and gentle soul."

I paused as the memory held me within its grasp. "I will never forget that elf - his face, that sneer – so full of hostility as he pushed through the shrubs. If my father had not..." My voice pitched and I shuddered, turning away from my rapt listener.

Felenn sighed and continued to try and comfort me. "We are not all vile or uncouth," she said gently. "The males I know are gentle, caring and respectful. but they are fierce warriors. From what you describe though, those ones were renegades, vigilantes, most likely youths who thought they were invincible. They are not typical examples of my people, Klara. Elves have been at war with the Trolls ever since we set foot in the northern territories – their lands. And often the battles were brutal and bloody. But our leaders formed a proper militia long ago to deal with the Troll colonies. There is also a mercenary group called the Farstriders; not always the most popular, but they are skilled and honourable fighters. I understand your experience was frightening. Truly! And especially after what you had endured at the hands of one of your own..."

I stilled. Her words miraculously eradicated my trembling and panicked breaths. She referred to Arthas, of course. And I couldn't deny she made a very valid point. Perhaps I should be more distrusting of humans.

"Nevertheless," she continued, "it was a very unpleasant and uncalled-for incident. I cannot say what would or wouldn't have happened had your father not intervened, but, Klara, please be assured we have many good, wonderful people in our race. Ones who would never even dream of doing what those youths threatened to do."

I hung my head, somewhat ashamed. I really knew little about the Elven people or their ways. Yet, through one experience I'd condemned a nation. Felenn had proved to me that not all elves were of the same ilk. Just as not all humans were the same.

I jumped a little as I felt her brushing my hair, but then I relaxed. The feeling of the brush bristles combing through my hair stirred a precious memory of my mother. She used to brush my hair when I was a child, often while humming a tune to settle me. A lullaby.

"So, why do you dislike Araellor?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at how smoothly Felenn had brought the subject around to our self-proclaimed protector again. "Well, he didn't exactly warm to me when were first introduced," I explained.

"Ah. Yes. And you were very welcoming to him, after all, weren't you?"

I looked at her. She was smiling. Teasing.

"I guess not," I shrugged. "But he is full of himself, you have to admit that."

"Yes, he is, but perhaps with good reason. I'm sure he will be very proficient as a guardian for us. The Kirin Tor do select individuals wisely."

I looked at her with scepticism. "Yeah, I'm sure they thought that when they took Kel'thuzad and your Sun Prince into their bosom."

Felenn flinched. A strange look crossed her alabaster brow, and I realised that my aversion had not been entirely erased. I guess she once thought of Kael'thas Sunstrider the same way I did of Arthas. I knew I had to set things right; we'd started bonding; it would be a shame to ruin it through a careless comment.

"Hey," I said, lifting her delicate little chin. "Please don't take that to heart. Remember, the Prince of Lordaeron has let his people down too. In that, I guess we are alike."

Her eyes remained impassive. I knew there was no denying the harsh truth of our predicament; we were Adepts, green, unseasoned with little experience of the big wide world. We both had issues with our races as well as individuals, but we needed to get along. We needed to bond.

After a moment she turned the conversation back to our guide. "Araellor seems to be a good hunter at least; he keeps the Magi's kitchen well-stocked going by today's contribution. He clearly provides invaluable service. That must count for something, no?"

She was right to have hope. I couldn't fault her for that. I could learn much from this pretty, petite she-elf. Important things that were not addressed in our countless tomes and scrolls. But rather from ourselves, our souls and hearts. "I certainly hope so, Felenn," I replied with a lop-sided smile.

_______________________________________________________________________

No wonder Klara doesn't care for elves. But, she at least is starting to get along with Felenn.

Somehow, I doubt it will be so easy with Araellor. What do you think?