(2026-03-06) Fire in the Moonlight

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Author:	Alli
Summary:	At the southern coast of the Krasarang Wilds, Celaven meets Ceiya, an unusual new comrade on this dangerous continent. ~2000 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

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The coast of Krasarang can be treacherous, with the native dangers of crocolisks and storms augmented now by the Horde forces that harry the creation of the Alliance harbor. On this night, in this small patch of sand by gentle waves brushing the shore, one might forget these dangers.

In lieu of a moonwell, Celaven Evensong sits on the sand, listening to the sound of the slowly receding tide, his silver eyes open and unfocused as he gazes out on the rippling moonlight over moving water. He is at peace, his breath calm and even, though he is not unaware of his surroundings.

Some might forget the dangers. Others charge headlong toward them. The serenity of the night is briefly broken by the rumbling roar of a tiger, just beyond the treeline. It is followed by another roar: a deep, but decidedly feminine voice. There is a burst of yellow-orange light, then a loud and grisly THOK!

About a minute passes before a hulking figure steps out from the forest onto the beach — a colossus of a kaldorei woman, easily standing a head above most men, broad shouldered, with thick and powerful limbs. Her red armor (if it can be called that) leaves little to the imagination, barely covering her. She carries an enormous battle axe in one hand — the blade stained in blood — and an equally large maul strapped to her back.

Though marching with purpose down the beach, she is not headed directly for Celaven. As she approaches the water not far from him, she nods in acknowledgement. "Elune adore!" she says cheerfully. "Nice night, hm?"

Celaven may have flinched at the two roars, but he is serene again by the time the scantily clad warrior walks out onto the beach.

The commotion did affect something, though, as his eyes are very focused on the present now and not glazed over at the ocean.

He turns his head towards her and says, "Elune adore. Yes, I enjoy the clear skies." He pauses. "I trust the tiger fight was invigorating?"

The woman wades into the water, dipping her axe to wash away the blood, then doing the same for the crimson spray on her armor and skin. "Oh, absolutely. Poor thing must've been startled. It came at me out of nowhere." She looks up from scrubbing at a particularly stubborn spot. "Nice to see a fellow kaldorei out here. I'm Ceiya."

"Celaven Evensong," he answers. Then something seems to register, with the name and the look, and a light of realization comes into his eyes. "I believe I have heard of you. There may be a strong welcome awaiting you inland, with the Sentinels."

She straightens up, smiling brightly at him. Yet, there is also something sad behind her eyes. "Guessing you know me as Ceiya Snowbriar. Another life, friend." She emerges from the water and plops down on the sand beside Celaven, removing her weapons and laying them beside her. "I'm not really…with the Sentinels anymore. I'm-…hey, just a second. I know your name, too! Cobalt Company, right? You're Velrin's."

The recognition actually does manage to startle Celaven, at least a little, and he turns a little more toward the larger woman.

"Yes — yes, to both. I was with Cobalt Company, and I am still Velrin's, and she mine," he says, and for a moment his smile is softer. "Things have changed for me, though, as well. I'm with the 7th Legion now, healing for an expeditionary unit. And you're… no longer Snowbriar? I've heard the stories — my elder sister is a Sentinel."

"Oh yeah, anyone I'd know?" Ceiya knows a lot of Sentinels.

"Possibly?" Celaven considers. "She goes by another name now, too, not Evensong. Larawen Rivenbark? She works mostly in Ashenvale, local conflicts."

"Hmm…it has a familiarity to it. I've met a lot of people in my life, though. Learned a long time ago it's best not to cling too hard to anyone…especially Sentinels." Ceiya gives a little shrug and a sigh. "So you're not with Cobalt anymore, hm? I am. Just recently, really. It was your lady that recommended me. Is she here in Pandaria?"

Celaven shakes his head regretfully. "She's been very dedicated to healing the land in the felwood. It was her home, before all the corruption, and maybe it can be again. I believe a Cobalt team was working up that way for a while as well. I hope she might come out here at some point, but… there are dangers. You've been here long?"

"Not long at all. I wanted to come sooner, but I didn't want to push it with the Company brass," she explains. "They let me in despite some questionable circumstances. So I figured I'd better let them get used to the idea of me before I stepped into…whatever all this is."

Celaven looks her up and down curiously, without leering, and asks, "Questionable circumstances? There are other kaldorei in the Company."

Ceiya chuckles. "Not like me. It's hard to explain. During all that Twilight trouble on Mount Hyjal, I got myself captured like an idiot. Those flame druids did something to me. Tried to make me their weapon. Not that I blame them." She smirks and curls an arm, flexing her muscle. "Anyway, I sort of turned…combustible. Between that and a brief-but-very-unwilling stint working for Ragnaros and his bootlickers, there are legitimate concerns. That's how I know Velrin. After I busted free I turned myself in to the Watchers. She just happened to be the closest one."

Celaven stares at her more intently now, as if he's trying to see the flames. Still, he doesn't pull away.

"The druids of the flame," he says quietly. "I fought at the Molten Front as well, and… I have some… personal ties there."

"You'll be glad to know I managed to shake off their control before I killed anyone on our side," Ceiya says solemnly. "I might have beat up a few…but that was enough to jar my brain. So, I hope I didn't hurt any of those personal ties of yours."

"No, likely not," Celaven pauses, unusually hesitant and then continues, "My father was a druid, and he… fell for Staghelm's new power. He died, during the war campaign. Was killed. I would apologize for what they put you through, but his actions were his own."

"Yeah, don't you dare apologize for that. You're fighting the good fight. 7th Legion, even!" Ceiya reaches over to clap him on the shoulder. "Congratulations. That's an incredible appointment."

Celaven smiles, his ears lifting slightly. "And congratulations to you, as well, on your employment with Cobalt, fighting the good fight. My mother and stepfather were there as well, on the side of right. If you struck either of them, I expect they would understand that you were not yourself." He tilts his head, considering the trees of the nearby jungle. "Do you combust often? That is, is it a fire risk?"

Ceiya grimaces through a smile. "Fire risk? Yes. Often? Generally only when my emotions get hot. Like when a tiger jumps out at me from the shadows."

"I see," Celaven says, considering. "Then I expect you must consider that with clothing, as well. I should warn you about the sha, if no one has yet?"

Ceiya chuckles and gestures demonstrative to her rather revealing armor. "Yeah. It can be difficult. I go through a lot of shirts and pants. And yeah, I've been warned about the Sha. I can't say I really understand it. It sounds pretty confusing."

"I have had little exposure so far myself," Celaven admits. "But from what I understand, the main risk in these Wilds is despair. And it manifests with rain. So it may be the least dangerous for you."

"Seems like I haven't got much to worry about, then. I let go of despair a long time ago. That'll drag you to an early grave even without the Sha." Ceiya looks skyward. "Rain might feel nice, actually. I always run pretty hot, even when I'm not burning," she explains.

"It's good then, for you to be near the shore," Celaven says with a smile. "I've no doubt the Alliance here could use your strength as well. The harbor has proven a long construction, and somewhat contested as well. You might speak to Admiral Fallon here, or Captain Tyrrell, if you're interested in pitching in."

"Is that so? That's why I'm here, friend." Ceiya pats her axe and maul. "I wanted to volunteer for the front lines. I really don't know any other way to fight. But, uh…finding the front lines has been an interesting quest. Seems like there aren't really battle lines, so far. Just pockets of conflict between Alliance and Horde…usually over with by the time I arrive."

"Yes, the lines here are hard to mark,' Celaven nods. "There is more conflict up in the mountains, against a people called the yaungol, I hear. And there is the mantid at the wall. And the Zandalari and the Mogu, but no one knows where they'll strike next. Really, there's no shortage of foes here, but few clear lines to fight on."

"Well, 7th Legion, where would you suggest? Just aim me at the enemy." Ceiya holds up both hands, punching one fist into an open palm to demonstrate her method.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I am no commander," Celaven spreads his hands. "I am here until my Captain says otherwise. I might suggest you take some time first, get the lay of the land. Then choose the foes you prefer."

"Yeah, I suppose so. I'm just used to being told where the fight is. Not picking my battles for myself." Ceiya'a gaze drifts out to the water. "Guess it's not too bad just waiting with a view like this."

"Choosing your battles is…" Celaven thinks through his words. "The Cobalt way. In the military, there are orders, and that can be reassuring. In a mercenary order like Cobalt, there may be a call for volunteers or aid, but whether you answer or not will depend on you. At least, that was my experience."

"That will take some getting used to. I'm just a simple soldier," Ceiya says. "I never really had that keen mind for strategy. And honestly, I've always been happy to just go where they need me. I suppose I can just pay attention to the chatter. I have a good sense for what I'm good for."

"I used to think I knew little enough of war, a mere decade ago," Celaven says. "But it is good to have some freedom, especially if you know your own strengths best. Though, I have no complaints about the 7th Legion."

He considers Ceiya. "You have much more experience in battle than I, if the stories are true. What is your name these days?"

"The flame druids called me Emberthorn." Ceiya shrugs. "It seems appropriate enough these days. It certainly fits more than Snowbriar anymore. And I think I can put it to better use than they would have." Then she leans toward him and whispers conspiratorially, "By the way…the stories are all true." She gives him a wink.

"All of them?" Celaven asks, raising a long eyebrow.

She gives a shrug. "The ones I've heard, anyway. And I figure any that aren't quite true started with a grain of truth somewhere."

"Fair enough," Celaven says with a smile. "Perhaps one day I'll have stories of my own. Or maybe there will be Pandarian tales of heroism that will feature both of us one day."

"Can you imagine?" Ceiya looks over her shoulder, as if gazing upon all of Pandaria. "We'd better not screw it up, then."

"Yes, we'd better not," Celaven says, following her gaze. "I'd like for the stories all of us begin here to end in happiness."