(2025-03-17) Times of War: The Molten Front

Details

Author:	Luridel
Summary:	Mordecai Aspenwood, Day Two of the Molten Front. ~550 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Season 16: Twilight Approaches

Chain: Prompt Responses

I never knew there were so many druids in Azeroth. I have seen more of them in the last two days than I expected and recognized very few.

Caspis has arrived to be with his shalan. He seems driven by a fierceness that I would call Retribution were he a paladin. I am glad to see him. It was nice seeing him and Anareline fight together.

Dane and Velrin showed up today as well. The kaldorei seem deeply grateful for human aid - that they are not alone in this fight.

The flame druid named Leyara is still at large. It concerns me that Hamuul Runetotem is being treated in what feels like such a public and exposed place. I half expect her to return and finish the job, though I pray she does not.

Ralaea apparently has a history with being ignored, underestimated, being "spared as if you're nothing" is what she said. She was angry that Leyara merely bound us and focused her true ire on Hamuul alone, then let us go to serve as examples. I admit I was deeply relieved that she did not burn any of us to death, and also that I could breathe again.

Auralind called our team soldiers. It has been some time since I truly felt like a soldier, and I know that technically I am not one. I did not argue with her, and we were expected back at the shrine of Malorne regardless. I wonder what she would have said if I had disagreed, though. I do not know for certain if she is a safe person to disagree with. She respects boldness in others, I think. From Auralind I get the sense that she has high expectations, but she wants us to meet them. It does not feel like she believes we cannot. She uplifts, she does not tear down unnecessarily unless she deems something to be an insult - at least not that I have seen.

Dorda'en Nightweaver is overseeing Hamuul's care. He has requested fire-proof strips of cloth worn by some of the flame colossi to serve as bandages. I hope they are sanitary to reuse, and that washing them will not remove whatever treatment has made them resistant to flame. I saved a bit for Cressidha to examine, but perhaps it is an alchemical treatment and not an enchantment. Tomorrow I will see if I can collect some more to send to Niris.

Blueroot is abundant in the region. I hope it remains so. There is also a fair supply of cinderbloom.

So far, the hat is serving its purpose: I still have all of my hair. It gets incredibly sweaty, and I feel like I'm overheating fairly often (admittedly, it's called the Firelands for a reason), but it's working. It would be far simpler for me to just let it get all burned off and get that over with, but I'm trying to keep it safe. I have to keep the rest of me safe too, as well, when Colson and I are apart.

Elohad called me a battle healer once when he was talking about sending me to Northrend with the others. I do feel like far more of one now than I did. It's true: we all acquire layers the longer we live.