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| Details |
| Author: | Disknight |
| Summary: | Velrin goes to Darnassus to request admission into the Watchers. But is she ready or not? |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Velrin strode through the streets of Darnassus. Her steps were long and purposeful as they always were. However, today they carried a touch of hesitation. She held her hands, closed fisted, at her side. There was a knife tucked away hidden in the palm of her hand. Velrin needed the support today. She was about to make one of the biggest decisions of her life…
The entrance to the Temple of Elune stood tall in front of her. This had always been a welcome place for Velrin, a refuge in a cruel world, but today she felt a twinge of doubt. She was about to request to join one of the most elite and respected organizations in all of Azeroth. Was she really worthy of such an honor? Would Elune frown upon her for presuming herself ready for such a task. Velrin clenched her jaw to keep her teeth from chattering. She reached up to touch the moon symbol and owl feather on the charm she wore braided into her hair, gifts from her mother and father respectively. It was now or never.
Velrin trod into the temple without making a sound. Her light footsteps barely disturbed the grass underneath them until they came to a stop in front of a blue haired woman wearing a set of light plate armor with a long green cape and carrying a large circular blade at her side.
“Warden Oceansong.” Velrin called out firmly and addressed the woman with a crisp salute, “I have come to make a petition.”
Shaldira Oceansong turned to greet her, “Velrin. It is good to see you.” She smiled, “What is it you wanted to ask? Do you have some new assignment that you need our help with? I read the reports on the situation in Hyjal. You and your mercenary company were quite impressive.”
“N-no. It’s not that.” Velrin blinked. Was it really so admirable? She only did what was asked of her? Even with Blue Squad doing all they could to stop the Twilight’s Hammer, so much damage had already been done. And Ragnaros wasn’t even defeated, only beaten back for a time. Velrin cleared her throat and tried to continue, “No. This is not related to my service with Cobalt Company. I have come bearing a request of a more personal nature.”
Shaldira quirked an eyebrow, “Is this something to do with your efforts in Felwood then? Last I heard you and your shalan have been nigh unstoppable, Witchblade.” She finished with a smirk.
Velrin’s heart raced. Warden Oceansong had heard about how she and Nylarria went on their hunts together? And that nickname that she had been hearing her sisters in Felwood whispering too… Velrin cringed and felt her stomach sink deeper into her chest, “N-no. I-I have been considering my career and my duty to our people and to Azeroth, and… while serving with an organization as decorated as Cobalt Company is a great privilege that I will always cherish dearly…”
Shaldira simply smiled and nodded for her to continue.
“I wish to join the Watchers.” Velrin blurted and lowered her head meekly.
Silence hung for a moment. Velrin held her breath and waited with great trepidation for a response. Eventually it came in the form of a soft chuckle. Shaldira laughed and lifted Velrin’s chin with an outstretched hand. “I was wondering when you would come here to ask me that.”
“Y-you were?” Velrin looked up at Shaldira, eyes wide.
Shaldira nodded, “I’ve had my eye on you for some time, Velrin. My sister thinks very highly of you. Your uncommon strength of will is a thing in which we Watchers place a great deal of value.” She continued while Velrin stood dumbfounded, “In fact. Fyrdriel suggested that she transfer you to my charge two years ago when we began making headway into Shadowmoon Valley in Outland.”
“That long ago…” Velrin asked, “But you didn’t ask me to join the Watchers. I joined Cobalt Company so that I could report back to you on our progress.”
Shaldira nodded again, “That’s true. And you performed well in that assignment. You helped us locate Maiev, and now you have helped in rescuing her brother Jarod in Hyjal as well. Those were just tests, Velrin.”
Velrin furrowed her brow, “Tests? But… you never told me. How was I supposed to know when I was ready?”
“You know now.” Shaldira answered.
Velrin cocked her head.
Warden Oceansong took a deep breath, “Fyrdriel cares for you deeply. By now I’m sure you know that. She would often speak with me about you. She told me about how hard you trained, how shy you were, and how you struggled to fit in with your sisters.” Fyrdriel stepped closer and placed a comforting hand on Velrin’s arm when she saw her start to shrink back at the sore memories, “You had so much potential, but you just couldn’t seem to believe in yourself no matter how much Fyrdriel tried to show you that you were special. The captain of a Sentinel company and not even three centuries old. That’s remarkable.”
Velrin felt her ears droop getting embarrassed by the praise.
“I could have requested that you join me, but then you would have learned nothing. Instead, I waited for you to come to me for your last test.” Shaldira explained.
“Last test? Wh-what is it?” Velrin quickly straightened herself out and stood at attention, “I will carry it out at once! I swear it!”
Shaldira raised a hand to ease her, “Calm, Velrin. You’ve already passed.”
“What do you mean?” Velrin stepped forward. What was Warden Oceansong saying?
“I never asked you to become a Watcher, Velrin.” Shaldira poked Velrin in the shoulder with a gauntleted hand. The heavy chimera hide of her Watcher style armor held firm under the pressure of Shaldira’s touch, “You came to me in that armor and asked to join us because deep inside you know that you earned this.”
Velrin’s ears shot up and she felt her eyes begin to water, “Does that mean???”
“That’s right. You’re to become one of the Watchers, the marshals of Azeroth.” Shaldira looked down at Velrin warmly, “Congratulations, Silverbloom.”
With those words, Velrin couldn’t contain her emotions any longer. Tears streamed down her face, “Thank you… thank you so much, Warden Oceansong…”
“No. Thank you, Velrin.” Shaldira shifted to Velrin’s side and placed an arm over her shoulder, “The Watchers will be glad to have your aid, especially in such uncertain times.”
Velrin sniffled a few times before she eventually nodded in assent.
Shaldira patted her on the back, “Come now. We’ll need to discuss the matter of your formal induction into our order.”
“Right.” Velrin sniffed one last time.
“And I think that my sister will want to hear the good news as well. Will you join me?” Shaldira asked.
“Yes ma'am!” Velrin answered with renewed confidence.