A Meeting In Stormwind

[Persefani]

The rumors started to fly around Azeroth about the tension that grew between Sacred Fire and Sanctuary. Lady Persefani Stargazer had the nerve to call out Sanctuary and then attack the horde capitals.

In her office in Stromwind she begins to speak to a shadowy figure.

“Rumor is they have declared war.” She stated plainly. “Commander Khael left a note at the last fight on our official stance. Violence will be met with Violence. Sacred Fire has strict orders to not strike first, but they will come after us and we will defend. We will see how long they continue quest to remove us from this world. Now, I know what you are thinking, that we went to the city of Forsaken and home of the Orcs first. Yes, that is true. However, this is only to draw out my point. Only those that raise a flag against us were attacked, no one was touched that didn't want to fight.”

She begins to pace around the office.

“Shadow, when I asked you to join us, I asked for you to take up the position as Commander – King of Arms. Now is the real test. I have given orders to our men not to strike first. Not only do we need to make sure this happens, we need to make sure we are trained to defeat the attacker when not getting in the first blows. They us unsavory tactics. Their Blood Knights have been caught shielding and hearthing away. We must prove that they are truly out for only vengeance and blood. That they take everything done by alliance and seek only retribution for it. They sent this letter to me in response to mine...”

Persefani shows Shadowthorn the letter from Vilmah pointing out the ending.


And furthermore, if you want to learn more about Sanctuary, I'd suggest you speak to our Inquisitor. He's shed more of his own blood in the name of peace than you could imagine, and the idea of it being a waste because of your actions is both repulsive and saddening.

Peace will come through understanding. I hope you learn to understand, next time.

“They ask me to have understanding, but they declare war. This is what I meant about their hypocritical nature. I am always willing to sit down for talks. I even told that to Haven's Inquisitor. They send me one letter was written in anger caused by my own. I guess 'Peace' only lasts for a faction of time until they believe true 'Peace' is death. I guess that is why Vilmah is addressed as 'Warboss', as I always found that ironic.” Letting out a heavy sigh she continues, “Shadow, let us prepare. We shall remain steadfast and let them come. There is one more thing. We need to keep an eye on The Grim. Something tells me there is more there than meets the eye.”

She beings to message her hand to try and relieve the pain as the infection from loosing her finger begins to spread.

[Shadowthorn]

Moving out of the shadows, a slant of light reveals darkened leathers and a lowered mask... but the eyes remain concealed in the cloying shadow as his lips frame a reply in the illumination.

"Persefani, we must do more than just prepare. Look at this." Shadowthorn pulls out a crumpled note that he went back to retrieve when he was interrupted from leaving for Kalimdor. "This is a blood warrant in Orc. Even though this describes two people of our guild, this might as well be a signal flare for all the Horde to come scalp us if we're found." Laying the note down on her desk, Shadowthorn paced while keeping most of his features hidden by shadows.

"This 'peace' that others were talking about, was bent because of the actions of one of our own who for a while held disdain of you, Persefani." Stopping in mid-stride, Shadowthorn turned to face Persefani again. "Of course after, there were reprisals, actions dictated by a few of their own to repay back what was due and we accepted that. But because of this, resentment held its ground and and the ensuing raids that we participated in after as a 'lesson' to the Horde only increased the violence that came from prior violence."

Shadowthorn swallowed a deep breath and said, "We failed to forgive, and we failed to forget. We were tested, and we are judged wanting. This is the end result." The night elf rogue pointed at the blood warrant and Vilmah's answer. "Sadly, we must put aside tenets of peace, and take up the vestments of war."

[Persefani]

Persefani eyes Shadow’s movements closely listening to his words. His voice always had this simple and calming aura to it. He was always able to calm her stress and anxiety.

“One of my own?” After a moment in thought, Persefani says, ”You speak of the Lieutenant. Damn it Shadow!” Persefani turns away to look out the window contemplating the actions that happened that day in Stranglethron Vale. She was not present for it, she got word to her quickly but it was already too late. The Lieutenant was almost stripped of his duties and his tabard for his actions that day. However heading the words of her allies gave him another chance.

She bowed her head, gently picking at the paint along the windowsill, seeing now the chain of events that lead her down this road, one thing leading to the next. Persefani always failed to see the gray in life. Everything was black and white to her, Right or Wrong. She was young and inexperience when she took upon the Sacred Fire. She was a born leader, but she still had a lot to learn. She lacked a true mentor while under the Fabled Order’s flag and only learned what not to do rather then all the right things to do.

“You are correct as usual Shadow. I always admired that about you. You will always tell me what needs to be said instead of what I want to hear. Therefore, we shall fight to protect ourselves. I will send word to the Honor Guard. This may affect our final entry into their alliance.”

She turns to Shadow walking up to him to give him a hug followed by a blessing of sanctuary. “Shadow I have made mistake, and I will freely admit them. I have made promises and I will not fail to keep them. When the time comes, I will be on the front line. I must protect the Sacred Fire.”

She turns to look upon the wall at the tenants.


This Sacred Fire is fueled by devotion to 10 virtues: Prowess, Justice, Loyalty, Defense, Courage, Faith, Humility, Largess, Nobility and Franchise.

Prowess: To seek excellence in all endeavors expected of a Knight to be used in the service of justice, rather than in personal enlightenment.

Justice: Seek always the path of Light, unencumbered by bias or personal interest. Recognize that the sword of justice can be a terrible thing, so it must be tempered by humanity and mercy.

Loyalty: Be known for unwavering commitment to the people and ideals we live by. There are many places where compromise is expected; loyalty is not amongst them.

Defense: The ideal Knight was sworn by oath to defend Our Lands and those who depended upon it. Seek always to defend your nation, your family and those to whom you believe worthy of loyalty.

Courage: Being a Knight often means choosing the more difficult path. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in service of the principle and people you value. At the same time, a Knight should seek wisdom to see that stupidity and courage are cousins.

Faith: A Knight must have faith in his beliefs, for faith roots him and gives hope against the despair that failings create.

Humility: Value first the contributions of others; do not boast of your own accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others before your own. In this way, our knighthood is glorified.

Largesse: Be generous as far as your resources allow; largesse used in this way counters gluttony. It also makes the path of mercy easier to discern when a difficult decision of justice is required.

Nobility: Seek great stature of self by holding to the virtues and duties of a Knight, realize these ideals cannot be reached; the quality of striving towards them ennobles the spirit, raising us from dust towards the heavens.

Nobility also has the tendency to influence others, offering a compelling example of what can be done in the service of righteousness.

Lastly

Franchise: Seek to emulate everything I have spoken of as sincerely as possible, not for personal gain but because it is right. Do not restrict your exploration to a small world, but seek to infuse all aspects of your life with these qualities.

It is the ideal of every member from any race or combat style to exemplify these with conviction of word and deed. If even one person is swayed by the example thus set, than all are enriched, brought one-step closer to becoming a true avatar of virtue.

As one, we step forward to bring these virtues of the Sacred Fire to the world. To the defense of the realm. To the defense of our allies, and to all good men and women of Azeroth. To champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world that has remained in a shroud of darkness for too long. Such is our cause, our duty and our right.

She silently says a prayer for forgiveness for wavering and for strength to return to where they once were. "Shadow, do you have faith?"

[Shadowthorn]

A cheshire smile slowly forms as he replied, "That is a question between me and the Light. But if you mean to say as 'in what you believe in', then yes I do." Feeling the remnants of Persefani's warmth dissipate in the cool air, Shadowthorn took a quiet step up and gently massaged her shoulders. With a slow rolling grip, he could feel the whip-tight muscles ease under his ministrations.

"Persefani, lamenting over past mistakes will not help in this matter. Yes, the Lieutenant did wrong, but how the aggrieved accepted your word that he was punished was less than stellar. Sanctuary still made us a target despite talks with Itakae, one of their diplomats." Letting go of her shoulders, Shadowthorn turned Persefani around to face him.

"When we heard that one of Sanctuary's leaders had declared us as anathema, we had to regard that as war between us. Because this leader spoke for them, Sacred Fire has to assume that they all speak together as one voice. It's unfortunate, but as this cycle had happened before, it's happening again now because both our guilds are slow to forgive, and both our guilds are slow to forget." As he stepped back, shadows slowly enveloped his features until only his mouth was lit. "I recommend one more round of diplomatic gestures. If they slap our hand away, then so be it."

[Persefani]

Persefani nodded at Shadowthorn in understanding as he left her office. She proceeded to sit down and calm her thoughts to compose another letter to Warboss Vilmah under calmer tones.

She opened her desk drawer to pull out some paper and a letter fell to the ground. She picked it up and read it again. She reads it very regularly.


Often times, love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop.

Many teardrops abound, not just for you mi'lady.

Hearts broken echo across the faction divide.

~S~


Who is ~S~ she wondered to herself. Could it be him? That hunter she saw near the flight master that day? Her heart began to race as a warm smile arrived on her face. In these moments is when her heart for only a brief moment warms the empty vastness that normally exists as of late. Tears start to run down her face because in these exact same moments is also when she feels the regret for what she has done and what has happened. This is when for a short time she is Lady Peresefani, Fighter for Peace and friend to the horde.

She decides to lie down instead with the pain growing in her hand. She will have to write it later. Slowly she is to drift of to dreamland to dream of love once again, but like clockwork, her dreams turn to nightmares, to the shadows that keep heart empty, bitter, and untrusting.