When she woke, she was in plush surroundings, very unlike where she had woken the previous morning. Her head was surprisingly clear, although she flinched as she touched her forehead. Was that a new bruise? "Arrgh!" she mumbled to herself.

"She's awake!" Lukha's unmistakable accented voice echoed round the bed-chamber. 

Sarah looked towards the door as Khadgar entered. His face was serious, deadly serious and he looked tired as if he hadn't slept all night.

"Get dressed. Now!" he said curtly, then exited the room as quickly as he had entered. Sarah cringed. What had happened last night that made him so brusque with her? Had she offended him? Or anyone?

Lukha laid out a robe of midnight blue silk. "Put this on Sarah," she said. Her voice was shaking. She busied herself placing fresh undergarments and shoes next to the dress.

"Where are my own clothes? And why are you both so...odd with me today?" Sarah dragged herself out of the bed. Once upright she didn't feel quite so good anymore.

"Your own clothes are covered in drunken vomit ..." Lukha said as if it was of no consequence. Sarah made a face, utterly ashamed at that bit of information. How humiliating. Maybe that was what had made Khadgar so short with her. It was hardly lady-like behaviour.

Lukha continued, "... and we are...odd, as you put it because what you told us last night is terrifying - if it is true."

The Draenei took Sarah's arm and led her through to a washroom adjoining the elaborate bed-chamber. There next to a wash-hand basin were some toiletries; soap, facecloth, a tube of what appeared to be toothpaste and toothbrush next to it. A bottle of scented water accompanied them. "I'm not using someone else's toothbrush," she protested, a sneer tracing her lips at the mere thought.

"Everything is new," Lukha retorted. "Khadgar conjured them all for you."

"Oh!" Sarah said, taken aback at the Archmage's thoughtfulness. She opened the scented water and sniffed the fragrance. She smiled. "What is this?" she enquired of her appointed nursemaid.

Lukha took the bottle from Sarah's hand and studied it. Her eyes widened. Then she handed it back. "Honeysuckle and wild lotus," she replied. "It is a most favoured scent among noblewomen and ... " Her brow furrowed as she tried to search for the right words. "Those of affluence."

Sarah was speechless. The Archmage's grumpy mood was in vast contrast to these kind offerings. Lukha moved in front of her and filled the basin with water. "Now, freshen up and then I will help you dress."

Sarah nodded and the young Draenei left, quietly closing the door. Turning to look at her reflection in the wall-mounted mirror, Sarah took a moment to reflect. She must have been terribly drunk last night, for she could not recall much of the evening at all. She certainly could not remember throwing up. She slumped, grabbing the edges of the wash-hand basin for support. How utterly embarrassing. Naming almost every deity she could think of, including Elune, she prayed she had not puked over the Archmage himself. Nor Lukha for that matter.

Raising her head again, she looked at the woman staring back from the mirror. Dishevelled didn't even come close. One thing that was encouraging about this morning though, was that she was still in Stormwind. Her dream, if that's what it was, still had her within its grip. Lukha's words ran across her train of thought. What had she said last night that had both Khadgar and Lukha so agitated, she wondered. She knew she had begun by telling her then captivated audience about the general intricacies of technology in her world and of the computer devices available. Knowing that Khadgar was a learned man at least, she enthused about the wealth of knowledge on the internet, the many sources of information available. He had seemed suitably impressed. 

When she then explained how she knew about Azeroth however, both Khadgar and Lukha were dumbstruck. She remembered telling them how she had various characters, all different classes and levels. She mentioned questing, dungeons, raids and what she and her friends preferred in the game. Details after her third mug of ale, however, became a bit blurred until she simply could not remember at all what she had divulged. With a long drawn out sigh, she started to make herself respectable.

She emerged from the washroom some twenty minutes later. Lukha told her they had to hurry and came forward with a corset and cami-knickers. Sarah's eyes widened. "You have got to be kidding!" She said shaking her head at the undergarments.

Lukha expression changed. She found Sarah's reaction disrespectful. "All ladies wear such finery," she said haughtily.

"Well, in case it has escaped your notice, I am no lady! And I will not wear those pieces of torture! Where are my own knickers and bra?"

"If you refer to those pitiful pieces of fabric you were wearing on arrival and yesterday, then they are being laundered ... again!"

Sarah blinked, momentarily flummoxed. "Drunken vomit?" she enquired, her voice more of a whisper now.

Lukha merely nodded and threw the cami-knickers for Sarah to put on. She duly did. The Draenei then laced her into the corset. Sarah oofed as the garment became restrictive. "Does it have to be so tight?" she whined.

Lukha tugged the ties. "Yes, otherwise it will fall off, and how much more embarrassing would that be, Sarah Metcalfe?"

Sarah had to concede. She had humiliated herself enough without her clothing or lack of, adding to her shame.

"I think Khadgar has made excellent choices for your attire," Lukha remarked.

Sarah spun around. "What? He chose all this?"

"Yes," Lukha replied turning Sarah back as she finished fitting the corset. "Although I helped, a little."

Next, she helped Sarah step into the petticoats and secured them with ties at the waist. "So, what did I all say last night that has you both so upset with me?" She truly hoped she had at least kept a civil tongue in her head.

Lukha helped Sarah slide the dress over her head. Once it was safely over and the skirts all in soft folds, she fastened the small buttons up the side. She led her to a padded stool in front of a dressing table, sat her down and proceeded to brush her hair.  She looked at Sarah's reflection. Finally, she answered her. "You explained where you came from and how you know so much about Azeroth. You spoke of the Betrayer, at length I may add..." She raised an eyebrow at her. "And you spoke of the Burning Legion," she concluded in a hushed voice.

"Did I?" Inwardly she cringed. She seriously hoped she had not fangirled to the extreme. "OK. So?" How much she had revealed about the latest patch, she really had no idea.

Lukha tied her hair back and piled it on her head, fastening it with decorative clips. "So now, King Varian has demanded an audience with you."

Sarah grunted and hung her head. Note to self: Keep off the Dwarven Ale next time.

An impatient sounding knock came to the door. "Is she ready yet?" Khadgar's voice sounded. Lukha answered yes.

"Can't he ask me if I'm ready or not?" Sarah said to Lukha, annoyed by the Archmage's indirectness.

"Like you are asking me about him now, do you mean?" the Draenei intoned, standing, hands-on-hips staring down at her.

Sarah opened her mouth to speak but then decided not to bother. The girl was much sharper and smarter than she had given her credit for. She glanced at Lukha in the mirror. It was then she noted the smirk playing on the Draenei's lips. She dared a smile and Lukha responded in kind.

"Come, he waits impatiently," Lukha said.

"The king?" Sarah asked, plunging her phone down the front of her bodice. She shrugged as Lukha watched her doing it, an incredulous expression written on the Draenei's face.

"I meant Khadgar. But yes, King Varian too." Lukha replied.

The Archmage stood, facing the stretch of hall in front of him, hands clasped behind his back. Lukha could tell by the way his fingers wiggled against his palm, he was impatient. He turned on hearing the Draenei cough lightly. "Well, about ti..." He stopped as he caught sight of Sarah behind Lukha. The Draenei lowered her head to disguise a knowing smile. "You look...most presentable, Sarah Metcalfe," Khadgar said as she neared him.

Still uncertain of his mood for all his words were loosely complimentary Sarah noted his brow knitted on seeing her. She afforded him a small smile. "Thank you – I think."

Lukha made a strange little sound which both of them heard but neither made comment.

Khadgar cleared his throat. "Shall we then?" he gestured for the women to follow.

The Archmage walked purposefully ahead. They were flanked by Stormwind guards. Sarah felt it was strangely like a march to her execution.

Her eyes widened as they entered the main chamber. Pillars rose tall and proud, each adorned with the King's crest of royal blue with a Lion's head emblazoned in gold at their centre. The floor was polished stone which glimmered as she crossed over it, her steps echoing lightly. A few influential denizens of Stormwind, Ironforge and Darnassus stood near the centre, whilst others remained at a distance in the various doorways that bled into the chamber. She noted some high ranking Earthen Ring, Kirin Tor, Silverwing Sentinels, Stormpike Guard amongst those in attendance. Suddenly, this did not feel so game-like. This seemed all too real – and all rather Arthurian. Her bravado and cockiness which she displayed in Warcraft simply had no place here. She felt all eyes were upon her; all judging and unyielding.

Khadgar stepped forward and halted just short of the throne. He bowed and spoke softly to the King, who was obscured from Sarah's view at that point. She gathered, or rather hoped, that Khadgar was asking his old friend to go easy on the outsider. Then again, from her brief encounter with the Archmage this morning, she was uncertain if even he was on her side any more. Low murmurs rippled around her.

Khadgar stepped to one side and stood next to the Draenei she recognised from the Slaughtered Lamb. The paladin Ocel looked briefly in her direction, then smiled warmly at Lukha, who stood protectively next to her. He whispered something to Khadgar. The Archmage looked briefly in Sarah's direction then nodded in response to Ocel. It was not an encouraging sign, Sarah thought.

The King's voice boomed, startling her from her reverie. "Step forward, Sarah Metcalfe."

Her heart almost exploded. Her mouth was dry and an irrational fear of being unable to speak enveloped her. She clenched her fists, driving her nails into her soft fleshy palms, a nervous habit from days gone by. Tentatively, she moved towards the King, keeping her eyes cast down respectfully. Khadgar's soft touch on her arm told her that was far enough. She could not bring herself to look at him - she still had the dregs of her drunken humiliation hanging over her. She doubted a man of his stature had much time for such cheap behaviour.

"You can raise your head, Sarah Metcalfe," the King said. It was not so much of an invitation, as a command. She did as he bade and stared straight ahead, eyes wide, mouth still dry.

King Varian Wrynn was an imposing figure, without question. He was the embodiment of strength, power, honour. He wore his hair in its signature ponytail, which highlighted the deep scar running from one temple to the other and made his otherwise strong and handsome face somewhat menacing. His blue eyes held her with quiet regard, but she could feel, let alone see the authority which lay within them.

She managed a nervous curtsey. She repeated the gesture to Prince Anduin who stood to the King's right, even though she was unsure if it was protocol.

Quite unexpectedly, and to her further embarrassment, tears sprang to her eyes; a rogue droplet traced her cheek. She knew what happened to this regal man if indeed the game accurately prophesied events here in Azeroth. Her knowledge of what was soon to pass tore at her heart. Who am I kidding? She chastised herself inwardly. This isn't real! But, the outcome of the Broken Shore still upset her. It did not go unnoticed.

"Why do you cry?" King Varian asked, not altogether unkindly, but demanding a response. He had inched forward on his throne.

She swallowed before she attempting to answer and cleared her throat. Her voice, although quiet, carried adequately due to the acoustics of the room. "Because, Your Majesty, I have some knowledge of what has happened here in Azeroth. And ..." Her voice dwindled to a whisper.

"And?" he encouraged. His eyes were intense, never releasing her gaze.

"And what is still to come." She managed nervously.

The audience stirred. She heard the clink of armour and the rustling of many expensive fabrics as the attendees milled nearby.

"Tell us what you told Khadgar last night," the King demanded.

Due to way too much alcohol the night before, she wasn't a hundred per cent sure of exactly how much she had divulged, but going by the fact she had been summoned by the King of Stormwind, she could safely bet it was damn near everything to date; in the gaming version anyhow. Lukha had at least forewarned her of some of the things she had discussed. She dared a glance at Khadgar hoping for an indication of exactly what the King wanted to hear. Help, she mouthed.

Burning Legion, he mouthed back, affording a small smile of reassurance.

She nodded and taking a deep breath, faced the King once more. "I take it the Archmage has informed you that I am not from here?" she began, the tremor in her voice not having lessened any. A ripple of laughter spread throughout parts of the room.

Varian Wrynn maintained a steady gaze, his chin resting on his fist. She thought she noted the tiniest of smirks play at the corner of his mouth. Was it ridicule? Humour? Impatience? She could not tell. "That much, was obvious, Sarah Metcalfe." Murmurs nearby echoed his words. "Even for me." His smirk widened slightly. Soft laughter rippled through the onlookers.

"Of course," she replied, feeling foolish. Her palms began to sting. She glanced at them quickly. They were bleeding! She'd dug her nails in too hard again. It's been a long time since I've done that, she thought. Concealing her hands behind her skirts, she took a deep breath. There was little point avoiding the issue, but she would need to proceed with due care. Certain details she did not even know if she could utter the details. "The Burning Legion has returned, Your Majesty. An alternate Gul'dan has successfully opened the portal at Sargeras' Tomb on The Broken Isles granting the Legion access to Azeroth."

A mixed reaction rose from those nearby. Some protested saying there was no substantial proof, whilst others voiced their belief of this news, adamant that sightings of demons had been reported. The King held up his hand to silence them. This much he had known. He had already been informed of this following Khadgar's mission to The Broken Isles before Sarah had even regained consciousness. Once the din died down, the King looked back at Sarah. Knowing that the Archmage had not confided his experience in The Broken Isles to her, he posed the question. "The Tomb is well sealed though, Sarah. Wards and locks devised from ancient rituals protect the entrance, let alone the inside of the Tomb with its complexity of safeguards. How would it be possible for Gul'dan to penetrate the tomb?"

"Yes, the tomb was well guarded" she agreed, a shade more confidently, "but Gul'dan is being led by Kil'jaeden, and where once the orc warlock failed on Draenor," she chanced a glance at Khadgar. His steel eyes remained facing the king. She continued. "He did not fail this time. He is much stronger now, Your Majesty. And the sheer magnitude of the invasion will be unlike anything Azeroth has witnessed before."

Murmurs resonated throughout the room once more. The King studied this strange woman. She was quite eloquent in her delivery, once she shed the nerves. She was also accurate, going by Khadgar's own account of things when he'd confronted the orc wizard. Varian leaned forward on his throne. "And how have you come by this information, Sarah Metcalfe?

She felt dread. In her over-active imagination, she envisioned a giant venus fly-trap sprout around her and snap shut, chomping its way through her entire being. This was the part where they would either be amazed - or consider her mad. Again, she glanced at Khadgar. He held her gaze now, his steel eyes giving nothing away. She felt utterly alone. Note to self: once I get home, socialise again - get out more!

"Where I come from," she started, trying to keep the increasing quiver from her voice, "we .... I mean some...of my people play a game." She allowed her eyes to scan those nearest the King, watching for their reactions. They were as stoic as their NPC's on her computer screen. Others behind and to either side of her, however, already mocked her. Game? We are supposed to believe that a game predicts our future? She heard some say. Why are we wasting time listening to her?!

"It is called World of Warcraft," she pressed on. "The game revolves around..." deep breath, "...around Azeroth and everyone here." She spread out her hands, gesturing all those present.

Shouts of Impossible! Insult! Treason! (Treason? she winced.) Fool! Even Demon crept in and the voices just seemed to get more vehement with each passing second. She stumbled back, clearly stunned at the severity of their reaction. Their anger and indignation seemed very real indeed. This was turning unpleasant. She looked desperately to Khadgar, fear written clearly in her eyes. In a moment, he was at her side, one arm around her waist and the other holding his staff, which he promptly slammed its base to the floor. The noise was deafening and a ripple of azure spread from its base to the outer walls of the chamber. The room instantly quietened.

"Give the girl a chance to explain!" he spoke slowly and deliberately. The crowd shuffled but awarded her their undivided attention. Khadgar did not move from her side. The feel of his hand on her waist was comforting. She looked up at him, grateful. "Tell it like you did last night Sarah," he whispered, inclining his head to her.

"But I was so drunk I can't remember half of what I said," she breathed back.

"Focus!" His hand gently applied pressure to her waist.

Subconsciously, she put her arm around the Archmage's back, her fingers curling around the fabric of his robe. A moment or two passed, as she bolstered herself, then she stated her case. "You are all rather quick to mock and ridicule me. Yet, here, amongst your very numbers, stands a race that hailed from a different planet...the Draenei."

It was quite a potent opening and it grabbed everyone's attention. She exhaled slowly, quietly, her lips pouting and cheeks puffing out a little. She continued. "A noble race, they came with knowledge and technology that outshone even your own. And here they are ... welcomed, living beside you, treated as equals. They fight with you for the greater cause. For Azeroth."

The mood in the chamber had shifted. They were listening now, without judgement this time. She seemed to have placated them a little. She stepped away from Khadgar and found herself moving around the room in front of the gathering. "My people, come from even further afield than the Draenei. We too have technology, science and skills that would render you all speechless, have you enraptured...maybe even terrified!" A few gasps could be heard. This fed her courage, and before long she was swept up in the fantasy of it all again.

"Do not disparage me simply because I am different, from another universe, or time. I am a woman who enjoys gaming. That is how I travel, if you will, to lands such as yours. That is how I meet and interact with people like you. And in my world, I can see you all ... in a machine ... where nothing is impossible."

All eyes were upon her. She carefully continued. "You do not actually exist in my world, as you do here. Where I come from, you have been manufactured so-to-speak, through the imagination and creativity of men and women who are highly skilled in art, design, technology and sound. I see you on devices similar to this..." she pulled out her phone from her bodice and switched it on. The act caused a few raised eyebrows, including the Archmage. She noted the Battery Low warning but reckoned it had enough juice to show them some pictures and play some music. A few bystanders gathered around to see what she held. Expressions of awe spilt from their open mouths. She switched off her phone before it gave up the fight, and therefore making her lose hers.

"In World of Warcraft, I, and approximately 10 million of my people, have travelled all over your continents; Kalimdor, Eastern Kingdoms, Northrend, Pandaria and Draenor and more recently, The Broken Isles. We have eaten and drank with the best of you. Ran errands for you of utmost importance as well as just for fun. We have fought beside your armies; Dwarves, Night Elves, Draenei and Worgen as well as human. We have tended your wounded and escorted you to safety."

Now might be a good time to stop, she told herself. But, she was on a roll, she was starting to enjoy this again. Turning to the King she continued enthusiastically. "I have walked with you, King Varian," The King's eyes widened. "I have fought the horde with you on the beaches of Pandaria, west of The Incursion, aiding Shieldwall." She turned her attention to his right. "I have helped you, Prince Anduin, find and explore the Vale where we have a base called the Shrine of the Seven Stars." The prince smiled warmly. " And as for you, Khadgar," she moved back to the Archmage, speaking his name softly, her eyes warm as she looked towards the man who had protected her since her arrival. "I stormed the Dark Portal with you, fought faithfully at your side, and built my garrison with your aid, in Shadowmoon Valley on Draenor."

She could tell by his expression, that had not been revealed the night before. His lips parted momentarily, then closed again before he looked straight ahead at the King.

Sarah smiled wistfully and turned to face the crowd again. "Sadly, however, I am not as brave as the characters I develop in the game. I am as you see me here, an ordinary woman of no particular import, who has not the first clue of how she arrived here. I know not whether this is all real, or simply in my head. But, I do know, through Warcraft anyhow, I am as passionate about this land and its peoples as you are. I may not know you personally, but I love everything about this world and I want to be part of it."

Quiet chatter buzzed in pockets of the audience. King Varian beckoned Khadgar and his fellow advisors who stood close by. He glanced in her direction from time to time as they all whispered intently. Was this where they were going to carry her off and throw her in the stockade, she wondered. Their lengthening debate began to unsettle her again.

Trying to keep the rising panic in her chest at bay, she casually glanced around the room. The unexpected sight of Malfurion Stormrage and Tyrande Whisperwind caused her to freeze. Ok correction, she noted, I don't love you all! A tight knot in her belly formed instantly. They had stood almost out of her line of view. The urge was too strong to ignore, and even though she suspected what she was about to reveal could have them all baying for blood again, she could not let this go unsaid. Her mood darkened and she crossed to where they stood.

Khadgar turned at that moment and caught sight of her moving towards Malfurion and Tyrande. He shifted uneasily as he observed the change in her mood. She had voiced her opinion about the Stormrage brothers last night and how she felt the other twin, known as the Betrayer, had been wrongly judged. He had, she said, an integral role to play in the Burning Legion's plans for the invasion of Azeroth. The intensity with which she fixated on the druid and the priestess was not going to go well he feared. He turned to the King. Varian conveyed a look which ordered him to bide your time.

There was purpose in her voice as Sarah spoke. "There is a saying in my world and perhaps it is the same here, it is this ... keep your friends close, but your enemies closer still." Her head tilted as she scrutinized the beautiful night elf and her lover. They stared back, indifferently.

"I tell you now, Gul'dan's first task for the Legion's masters ... is to find and awaken Illidan."

Tyrande flinched. Guards moved to surround her, but a firm hand signal from King Varian and they stepped back in line.

Sarah carried on, oblivious of the King's fixed stare. "You have all been guilty of judging a book by its cover. All you could see of Illidan was his demonic form, but not once did you stop to think of what he suffered. And suffer by god or Elune, or whoever, he did! For you!!" She stabbed an accusatory finger at Tyrande. Then she spun and faced everyone in the room. "For all of you! Illidan is not the Betrayer...he is the Betrayed!"

The crowd grew angry again, and Malfurion bristled, his eyes burning, but Sarah was not done. "You will see! His Illidari will be released and they will fight fiercely in his name. And once again, it will be to save all of you! "

At that, the King signalled to Khadgar. Swiftly, the Archmage created a portal and grabbing Sarah by the waist he pulled her through. The portal snapped shut behind them.

 All comments, advice and suggestions are welcome. Should you like this chapter, please be kind enough to vote, it would be most appreciated.