Chapter 2: The Phoenix Hall
The purple, spinning gateway stood ominously before her. Her stomach ached with anxiety at the thought of outcomes and possibilities within. But first there was the rabble by the front door to take care of. Kael'thas' other servants were not nearly as powerful as the great bird, but they were a nuisance. Although, she mused, it was rather comical that she now looked eerily similar to them. Perhaps that would work in her favor.
The idea piqued her curiosity. Rather than blasting her way in, perhaps a more subtle approached could be utilized, putting A'lar in a friendlier frame of mind. Rain took a breath, pulled her shoulders back, and turned her nose up to give her best Sin'dorei impression. Here goes nothing.
The architecture reminded her of the Draenei style, smooth and flowing with colorful accent colors lighting the way. Groups of Sin'dorei roamed around exuding grace and snobbery. All green eyes shot to her, as she stepped further inside. "Halt!" several of them lunged forwards with weapons drawn. "State your business."
Now came the time to see if her performance could stand the test. Rain quirked her brow and sneered at their weapons held towards her. "Really?" she scoffed. "I don't think that's how you should greet your new mistress."
The guards shot each other confused glances and squirmed. One of them spoke up. "We..um..I wasn't informed of any newcomers arriving today. Much less a...."
"Mistress?" she purred. "Pity. I'm quite sure your superior would be disappointed in your turning away someone with my," her eyes glimmered, "specialties." It was working. She could see deep down in his eyes, past the front door guardsman badge, he was incredibly curious now.
"And what specialties are those, exactly?"
Her gaze continued on him, watching his every feature, analyzing and correcting her body language to further draw him in. "The kind that leaves enemies as a pile of ash on the floor. And leaves lovers....well," she teased, "that's a story best left to private conversation."
The guard flushed red and smirked.
Gotcha.
"Well Mistress, you seem like the sort that would be welcomed here by the Master. But I would ask that you speak with his generals first."
She bowed her head auspiciously. "Of course."
"In the meantime, if you would follow me, I will escort you to the Phoenix Hall." She sauntered behind him in utter shock. Did that really work? Or is this guy just an idiot? It didn't matter now. She was headed exactly where she wanted to be, the Phoenix Hall.
As they entered the grand room, Rain had to resist the urge to let her mouth gape open. It was far more beautiful than she'd remembered. Overhead, A'lar circled, blazing a beautiful, fiery trail around the room. He was magnificent. "I will speak with him," she said pointing up.
"The phoenix?"
"Is that what it is? Fascinating." She hoped feigning ignorance would be successful at reducing suspicions. "I will speak with him."
The guard shuffled around and squirmed before nodding and setting off to call the bird's attention. After several gestures and posturing and great phoenix flew downwards and landed just a few strides away from Rainbrooke. Her heart pounded and her insides jittered around like young fireflies. Never had she so ached to burst into a dead run. But nothing would stop her now, not even her own fears.
"Mistress, I present A'lar, the great phoenix of Kael'thas."
She strode towards them in a gracefully smooth float. "Well, well. Aren't you the prettiest bird I've ever seen?"
A'lar appeared to gaze through her, and for a moment time seemed to stop. The two locked eyes, one phoenix to another.
He knows.....
She was completely unsure of what was going to happen. Would he alert the guards? Or try to attack her? The brief seconds ticking by were tortuous. Everything was weighing on this interaction.
"I will leave you to get acquainted," the guard blurted out. "I will go and fetch one of the higher ranked officers to get you settled in Mistress."
Rain nodded without even taking her eyes off of A'lar. She'd be damned before she was the first to look away!
A voice crept through to her, subtle and curious. "No I believe you are the prettiest bird ever seen."
His words were surprising. She had not expected that kind of response. "I'm not sure why I ever doubted your ability to see past this form."
He chuckled. "Yes, I can only assume you took it to remain hidden amongst the mortals for a time."
"Something like that." Dear gods it would be difficult to even try and explain everything, so she didn't bother with the details. "You must be wondering why I'm here."
A'lar tilted his fiery head to the side, eyeing her closer. "That question had crossed my mind. Amongst others."
"I've travelled all this way to...to...seek your guidance. To ask you several important questions and then leave as calmly and peacefully as I came." Rain twitched and rolled her fingers behind her back, desperately hoping he wouldn't see how fearful she really was.
"We shall see. Ask your questions," he answered sharply.
"The tales say that you were created by Kael'thas. Were you a mortal before? Or..." "Me? A mortal?" he laughed. "No my master's power set into motion my creation." She frowned worriedly. "I see. Yes, of course. And what of your abilities?"
The fire radiating off of him shifted to an angrier shade of orange as he spoke, "My abilities, you say?"
She had to fix this quickly. "Forgive me, poor word choice. Are you limited to the fire magics granted by your master or have you learned other magics?"
His color returned to normal. "We are creatures of pure magic. But to combine too many facets together would be disastrous. One vessel can only contain so many before it...overflows."
Is that what's happening to me?
"And what would happen if the vessel overflowed?" she pressed.
"Devastation."
Just like in the dreams. Everything he'd told her thus far made sense. "Is there anyway to stop it without triggering the....devastation?"
A'lar remained silent and motionless.
"Please!" she pleaded.
"Return to your master," he answered.
Rainbrooke reacted to his words as if she'd been struck. News had recently reached her that Smolderon was missing. Her master was gone. "I have none. He has left me."
"Then it is only a matter of time."
"But what of the rebirth? I could simply go somewhere remote to....devastate and then...." ideas spun through her. "But I would come back in this body and have the same problem all over again." Tears swayed heavy in the rims of her golden eyes.
"A phoenix is created by a master...and if that master is lost....another must be found." "A master? But who could I trust? Who would understand everything I've been through?" her voice cracked.
His voice hummed low. "I envy you, my dear. So powerful. So beautiful. Unbridled. Tis a dangerous and glorious thing."
Rainbrooke managed a faint smile. It was a compliment coming from him. "Thank you, for everything."
"My master will not take kindly to my allowing such a wonderous creature slip through my fingers.....but you and I both know what his fate will be, so it matters very little."
She raised her brow inquisitively and surprised. "I don't know why I ever doubted you."
"Because you're wise. Now begone. Find your new master."
Without hesitation she swiveled her wrists and spoke a small incantation, teleporting herself back the safe harborage of Shattrath. She pulled her hood back over her red tendrils and set out for the inn. She could barely walk, much less fly anywhere else for the time. The inn would have to do for tonight.
As she lay her head down on the pillow, utterly exhausted and overwhelmed, her final thought echoed....
Livi's gonna kill me.
