It was too late to start our venture into the fortress, so the team settled for another night, this time in the hub of the Nexus. I'd been told by Araellor and Garret that this area was free from threat; for some reason, no outside creatures ventured in, and thankfully none ventured out from the portals either.

I'd decided to get up and with Felenn to lean on, managed to stroll around our temporary home. It was exquisite, almost like a jewelled hallway on three levels. We didn't walk to the top floor – that was too ambitious as that would require us to venture outside to an upper ramp, and heeding Araellor's advice, I satisfied my curiosity with the two bottom levels.

The walls were sheer. So much so that we could see our reflections as we wandered. It was a little disconcerting to begin with, but we soon grew accustomed to seeing our 'twins' walking beside us in their many distorted versions. Ceilings and floors, while smooth enough, were not mirrored. Instead, their granulated surfaces gave the impression they were covered in gems. Sparkling prisms of light, like miniature rainbows enhanced all the more by our fire. I questioned the logic of our heat source. The checkpoint had at least been made of stone, but this was pure ice. Drawing from Felenn's impressive knowledge banks, she reminded me it was once home to the Blue Dragonflight and its leader, the Aspect Malygos. Their magic maintained the hub, preventing any fire from damaging the structure. I noted our three cohorts nodding in agreement. Garret even voiced he was suitably impressed that such a young Adept was so knowledgeable, that he'd thought only Archmage Berinand knew the ins and outs of the Nexus. Felenn bowed her head, coy, and I quickly showed support by saying that besides our mentors, she was the most knowledgeable person I'd come across in matters of magic and history. I saw her smile broaden as she lightly tugged my arm, a sign to continue our evening stroll.

The fortress, with its many tiers, rings, platforms and imposing arcane pillar, was impressive from the outside, but the hub, in all its icy simplicity, was breathtakingly beautiful. And surprisingly warm with its unique formation awarding the halls and ramps better shelter from the elements outside.

Araellor called us over for something to eat. The aroma from the large pot was a testament not only to his skills as a hunter but as a cook as well. My stomach growled letting everyone else know how hungry I was. Well, it had been almost two full days since I'd properly eaten, though I vaguely recalled being spoon-fed some broth at one stage during my recovery.

We all sat around the fire, the pot still bubbling away in the centre. Araellor spooned out the stew and we tucked in. I was so ready for this.

"This is delicious! Perhaps we should replace Serrah with you, Araellor," Aden joked before shovelling another spoonful of stew into his mouth. I watched as some gravy trickled down his chin. He wiped it away and then licked the residue from the back of his hand. Slightly gross, but I couldn't really blame him for enjoying every single bite and slurp. "What is it anyway?" he then asked.

Araellor grinned. After a moment, he said, "Well, there was a perfectly good meat source at the bottom of that crevice, it was a crime to leave the serpent to waste."

Silence befell the company, and we all looked at each other, unsure of what to say – or whether to continue eating for that matter. Arcane serpents weren't menu choices for the bulk of people, due to the well-known fact their flesh was tough and tainted with the arcane. That, plus like some fish, if the wrong cut of meat was served, it could be lethal.

Laughter erupted as Araellor, pointing to all our faces with his gravy-coated spoon, couldn't contain his poker face any longer. Gradually, everyone joined in – and with a huge sense of relief.

Once finished, I helped clean and tidy away the eating utensils, bowls and the pot. Everyone had seconds, so there was no stew left. Araellor busied himself stoking the fire and ensuring there was enough wood to do us throughout the night.

"You're not just a pretty face then, Araellor," Garret said, light-heartedly, still rubbing his well-fed belly. "See your mama showed you how to cook, too."

A reflective smile graced the hunter's mouth, his hooded eyes staring into the dancing flames. "Aye," he replied with a sigh. "She taught me well."

And the camaraderie died after that. Although Felenn had given me a brief outline of Araellor's life, I knew little about the man. Respectfully, and also because I didn't know what to say, I didn't try to engage him in further conversation. We all sensed a certain melancholy had come over him as if he was lost in memories still too painful.

Whatever Felenn used on my foot had worked miracles. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised considering how well Aden had recovered after his unfortunate incident. To be fair though, I think I beat him where wounds were concerned, as I recalled Felenn saying his injury was more muscular than rent flesh. Not something to boast about, I know, but I was just trying to measure the efficiency of her healing skills. Something I gathered we would all be most grateful for as the next morning; we would venture into the heart of the Nexus. And goodness knows what may lurk in there and cause us harm.

We all settled for the night. As best we could anyway.

My sleep was peppered with strange, vivid dreams. A mishmash of my past, present, and, I assumed, my future.

Scourge hounded me from the forests of Lordaeron all the way to Dalaran. And elves with painted faces were among them. My heart hammered so loudly that I thought it would burst as I kept running. Running for my life. Until I found myself at the top of the Violet Citadel, in the Chamber of Air, no less.

Outside, a thunderous storm whipped around the sacred room. I watched as I saw countless Scourge, imprisoned in the violent winds, being battered against the open arches, their bodies turned to mush, disintegrating.

"Klara!" I turned to see Archmage Modera. She was holding my mother's locket! I tried to reach her, but the power of the storm prevented me from getting near.

"Give that to me!" I demanded. "It's mine. You have no right!"

Modera reached out, handing the locket to me as another hand reached for it too...it was ripped from Modera's fingers. I watched, helpless, as it spiralled, caught in a vortex out with both mine and who or whatever else had tried to take it. Then the locket slid into view again, nearing the windowless arches. Toward the waiting storm.

No! I cried. Suddenly I was propelled forward. Jettisoned actually. I knew in that instant I was going to die! The tempest was beckoning, pulling me and the locket into its clutches.

I looked to Modera, pleading for her to help. But she just stood - motionless. And beside her; my mother, my father, Geraldine and Felenn – all just watching. Smiling. Waving! They were waving me farewell.

A hand grabbed my wrist. Strong, firm. Relief washed over me, and I turned to see who it was. A hooded figure. Straight back to panic! I didn't recognise them. I was nervous to the point of nauseousness.

Then I caught sight of the locket as it spun around the room, carried on the wind – just out of my reach. The figure started pulling me back, away from the storm. I wriggled against their grip, trying to fight my way loose, determined to get my mother's locket. That was all I was focused on.

"Klara!" The hooded figure spoke my name! "Klara!"

I turned again to face them. Still keeping a tight grip on my wrist, they hauled me towards them, and using their free hand, they reached for the hood. From deep, deep within, I saw the bright eyes. Piercing. Intense!

"Klara!"

I opened my mouth to scream. My lungs let rip and I screamed. I screamed like there was no tomorrow. Those eyes! I continued screaming as I found myself staring straight into the eyes of...

Araellor!

"Klara!" he said, gripping my upper arms and gently shaking me. "You were dreaming. I was calling on you repeatedly to wake you."

Reality hit me. Like a two-ton bull clefthoof. And I choked. So badly, I ended up gasping for air. Araellor kept hushing me, rubbing my back and arms, telling me I was all right. I was safe. Gradually, I calmed down.

To my utter embarrassment, Felenn, Garret and Aden were all around me, staring; concerned. My nightmare had woken the entire team.

"I'm so sorry," I managed, feeling utterly foolish.

I heard Araellor encouraging our colleagues to go back to sleep and telling Felenn he would stay alert and watch over me.

"I'm really sorry," I repeated, in barely a whisper, so as not to disturb the others any further.

Araellor smiled and remained crouched beside me. "I guess that serpent shook you up pretty badly, huh?" He handed me some water. I accepted gratefully and took a few sips.

The serpent? If only he knew. But I wasn't about to divulge all that I'd dreamed. And feared. I just nodded and sipped some more water.

"I'll keep watch," he said. "Try to get some sleep, Klara. We have a busy day ahead of us."

I just nodded. Pulling the furs around me, I lay down and tried to settle my still-ragged nerves. I glanced up to see the hunter crouched beside me. He was looking over everyone. Guarding us. Protecting us.

"Thank you," I uttered.

I was met with a broad smile and a nod. Then, miraculously, I fell asleep.

Morning, and we were all up bright and early despite the unsettled night. We packed up all our furs and blankets, storing them safely onto the sledges.

Still sated from our generous meal last eve, cups of tea or coffee were all that we required to start our day and our venture into the Nexus portals. But which one?

"The first one," Felenn announced.

"A process of elimination - working from bottom to top, then?" Garret enquired.

The pretty elf shook her head. "No. not really. I just have ... a gut feeling that what we seek is through the first portal."

She'd proved herself more than competent on this excursion, and as far as I was concerned, her gut feeling was good enough for me. The others agreed. 

____________________________________________________________________________

Well, it seems the team eventually managed to relax a bit following Klara's close call with an arcane serpent. 

Araellor likes to tease everyone, it seems, but they all have a fairly pleasant evening - until  Klara's dream unsettles her once more. 

Hopefully, they will have no more incidents as they seek out the cure, but somehow, I doubt it will be smooth sailing.

And I just want to thank all who are reading this story. You may be few, but you are dedicated, and I appreciate every spark of interest.