I read about Coldarra prior to my assignment. It was far from an ideal holiday spot, but its history was intriguing and tragic. Once part of the mainland, a multitude of rifts had developed both on land and under the sea, eventually splicing the land from its host, the Borean Tundra, on the western shores of Northrend.

Having fled to Coldarra following the slaughter of most of his Dragonflight during the War of the Ancients, Malygos, the Blue Dragon Aspect, adopted Coldarra as his home where he was slowly driven mad by rage and grief. But, years later, he was coaxed from his hiding place to help bring down Neltharion, also known as Deathwing and the former Earth-Warder - the very one who had killed Malygos's kin all those thousands of years ago. This time, victory belonged to Azeroth and her people.

As a result, Malygos' sanity started to recover, and now, as rumour would have it, he was allegedly invoking his guardianship responsibilities to survey the state of magic in the world today. But what had the Guardian of Magic found through his investigations? Was it favourable? Did he consider it to be progressing well? And where was he now? Some declared to have seen him soaring over the isle, weaving his way between the dark and heavy clouds, but there was nothing confirmed in writing; nothing concrete. All was speculation.

And Coldarra, the frozen, near inhospitable rock mass, with its guarded secrets and abundance of arcane magic, now sat solitary, in the Frozen Sea, impossible to reach except by flight or portal. It offered huge opportunities for those who practised the magic arts.

Even knowing all this, I still wasn't prepared for what awaited me as I stepped through the portal.

The island was locked in permanent winter. Mountainous icy shards, not unlike dragon talons and perhaps symbolic of those once slaughtered by the former Earth Warder, created a raw, jagged skyline. Blueish peaks could be seen glistening but only when the sun bled through the ominous cloud cover. Winds drove snow in great dusty blankets across the expansive rocky ground, secreting dangerous pitfalls and chasms, as if they were lying in wait for unsuspecting explorers.

And in the midst of this brutal, white canvas, stood the imposing ice fortress known as The Nexus. A multi-tiered construct, consisting of large floating rings above ground level, and beneath, a network of frozen caverns weaving their way underground. It was believed these caverns were host to many libraries in which the source of magic, with its varied factions and future potential, was documented. These secret and informative archives offered any intrepid explorer, a complex yet rewarding adventure. One which deeply intrigued me.

I heard crisp footfalls as Felenn came to stand beside me. I saw her breath crystalise on the cool air as she gasped at the sight before us. It seemed she, too, had been unprepared for what Coldarra had to offer.

"Not quite Dalaran, is it?" I uttered absentmindedly.

Felenn shook her head. "No. It is like nothing I've seen before," she said, her tone wondrous.

"Girls!"

Both of us jumped a little when we were called. As we turned to see who had spoken, we were met by a woman who appeared – literally -out of nowhere. Instantly recognising she wore the Kirin Tor robes, our moment of panic was short-lived. Our surprise, however, was still piqued. With short blonde hair and a gentle smile, the woman approached, formally clasping her hands in front of her. "Welcome to the Transitus Shield," she said confidently and friendly. "I really wish the portal keepers in Dalaran would learn to port Adepts within the Shield instead of out here." She laughed, then stepped aside, gesturing us to move forward.

"Are you Librarian Tiare?" Felenn asked, a little hesitant.

"Indeed, I am," the woman replied. "And you must be Klara Elmsworth and Felenn Morrowread."

"Yes," Felenn acknowledged.

Not to be outdone by an impeccably polite elf, I nodded and held out my hand in greeting. "I'm Klara," I confirmed.

Tiare looked at first surprised, but then warmly shook my hand. "Pleased to meet you. Now, let's get you where it's safe."

We were escorted through a magical barrier, invisible to the naked eye, and which amply concealed a few small huts and a larger building in the middle of a clearing. A number of magi were present, each tending to whatever task they were assigned. Everyone took time to greet us though, which was nice.

"I'll introduce you both properly after you've settled in," Tiare said as she gestured to the larger building. "This will be your accommodation."

Inside, there was a large open room, sparsely furnished but adequate for purpose. On its wooden walls hung tapestries, depicting many scenes from what appeared to be battles throughout history, all with magi casting spells and fighting some truly alarming creatures, the likes of which I had not seen in person. Thankfully. Wall lights were dotted between the tapestries, offering a warm ambience to the room along with the glow and heat from the generous open fire that crackled and spat within its stone hearth.

A long table sat in the centre of the room, chairs placed neatly all around, and against the other three walls were comfortable sofas and armchairs with little occasional tables in between.

Through a door at the rear of the room, a corridor opened and several more doors branched off. These led to the sleeping quarters. And further to the back still, was the washroom.

Tiare led us to one of the doors – thankfully near the washroom – and showed us inside. Two cots were made up for us, a small cabinet in between with a nightlight, and a set of drawers in the corner.

"I hope this is to your liking, girls," Tiare said, still smiling in a matronly fashion.

Felenn placed her satchel onto the bed nearest the door. "Yes, it will do just fine. Thank you."

Tiare looked at me, waiting for my approval. "Lovely," I said, setting my own bag on the other bed.

"Good. Well, do whatever you need to do to make it homely for yourselves, and meet me in the common room in about ten minutes."

Felenn smiled with a nod. I grunted; I think.

Once Tiare left the room, Felenn opened her satchel and started placing nick-nacks on the bedside cabinet. A hairbrush, hairbands, a framed photo, a book, a little box (of what I assumed were sweets). I watched as she methodically lay the items out, carefully keeping them to her side of the cabinet top. She caught me looking.

"There is enough space for your things, yes?"

I suddenly felt quite small and took a deep breath, possibly trying to make myself seem bigger. "It's okay, use as much room as you need. I don't have anything apart from my hairbrush."

Those azure eyes widened, but there was no mockery, no superiority as I had so easily tagged elves to possess. Worse. It was bordering pity.

Instantly defensive, I replied in a snarky tone. "Oh, don't worry. I always travel light. I have no need for bits and bobs."

Felenn continued to look at me, measuring my truthfulness, no doubt. "Why do you not like me?"

And there it was – a direct challenge and one I had not expected. I was stunned. Speechless. Above all, I was horrified that my uneasiness around her was so obvious. My throat was dry as I struggled to find words. "I do like you," I said, hoping I sounded sincere.

She smiled and then continued sorting her belongings. "I know you don't. I also know you don't like Kalanae or Olidana either, although I admit, I don't blame you for not warming to Kalanae. She tends to consider herself better than everyone else."

I'd never felt so awkward in my life. And very surprised to hear Felenn uttering such judgement on her own kind.

She glanced at me and gave me that soft, sweet smile again. "Well, I hope, in time, you will learn to like me, Klara, I'm not a bad person, and I certainly like you; I wish us to be friends."

All I could do was nod. Then I scrambled about the bottom of my bag looking for my hairbrush. Finally, I found it and dragged it out. But, as I did so, the chain of my mother's locket became snagged in the bristles. Before I could catch it, the trinket slid free.

Like a flash, Felenn reached out and the locket landed in her outstretched hand, the chain draping delicately between her slender fingers. It looked as if she was going to open it and I snatched it from her. "No!" I said firmly and quickly tucked the necklace in my pocket.

"I meant no harm," Felenn said apologetically. "I just didn't want it to be damaged by hitting the floor."

I realised my reaction had been harsh and unreasonable. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful, it's just..." A lump formed in my throat, unbidden. Whether it was from shame at my unjust rudeness or because it was about something so intensely personal, I knew not, but either way, my tone was uncalled for. I owed Felenn an explanation – as much as I was willing to reveal anyway. "It was my mother's," I said quietly. "She gave it to me just before she died. I was reckless putting it in my bag like that, I could have lost it..."

Felenn placed her hand on my forearm, sympathetic. "I understand. And, I have just the thing for you." She then picked up a small bag which looked like it was made of velvet. Loosening the cord ties, she emptied its contents onto the top of the bedside cabinet – clasps and delicate pins for her hair. She then handed the pouch to me. "Here. Place your locket in this. It will keep it safer and less likely to get scratched or dented. Or lost."

I stared at the little pouch, simple in its design, with little glass beads sewn in the shape of a flower – peacebloom, if I was not mistaken. It was startlingly beautiful, made even more so by Felenn's kind gesture. "I can't take that," I said gently." You need it for your things, Felenn."

She laughed, light. "My baubles are not sentimental like your mother's locket. Please, take it. Besides, I have others I've made that I can easily put my things in. But this is the prettiest one."

"You made this?" I accepted the little pouch from her hand.

"Yes. It relaxes me to make little bags and pouches."

"Thank you. It's...it's beautiful."

And that was the first sliver of ice between us to be well and truly broken. To be honest, it was a huge relief. I was dreading working with an elf in such close proximity. When we shared a dorm during our internship, that was really as close as we became, and I had two other humans whom I partnered with when we had tasks to perform. So, the very thought of only having Felenn to work with added to my trepidation of being transported to the strange, bitterly cold and rugged landscape of Coldarra. I admit, I still wasn't completely relaxed around her, but hopefully, I could overcome my wariness as the days progressed.

Ten minutes later, we left the room as instructed and went to find Tiare. 

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Hopefully, Felenn and Klara will become good friends. What do you think?

As for Coldarra - it would seem it has certainly earned its name. Brrrr. Did it give you chills?