Stoking the Arcane

IC Blog of Venibeth Stoke, Arcane mage. Shadow Council, World of Warcraft

[venibethstokes]

Into the Maw

Whispers about the Maw spread like a dark fog rolling in from the sea. She’d heard them in the marketplace of Stormwind, but it wasn’t until the rumors had made their way to Darkshire that Venibeth paid them any heed.

“The souls of all who die are trapped in the Maw.” 

“They don’t move on. They’re all there. Everyone who died.”

She tried to shake the feelings these words engendered. Tried to go about her day, her mind on the tasks at hand. But each quiet moment was filled with them. The whispers invaded her dreams and she would wake in a cold sweat, certain she’d heard him calling her name.

Finally, unable to move passed the nagging hope, Veni was determined to find the answer. If he was dead she would find him. If she couldn’t? Well then, that would mean he lived. That would mean he’d abandoned her. Abandoned his children. Either way she would finally have closure.

It had been easy to get Jacy to agree to look after the twins and Veni knew they would be well cared for. It was another thing entirely to say goodbye to her son and daughter. There were no words to tell them, nothing to explain what she was doing. They were too young to understand. She couldn’t tell them she was looking for daddy. What would she say if her efforts failed? It was better they think that mommy was just doing her part to save the king. That she did what she did for the Alliance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The gathering at the Frozen Throne was frightening. So much power gathered in one place; Alliance and Horde working together to face the new threat. Venibeth quivered in fear as she stood, hazel eyes leveled on Highlord Bolvar Fordragon. She felt small, insignificant, but they told her that she was vital to the cause. All she knew was, she would do whatever it took to get into the Maw.

When she touched the remnants of the shattered helm she felt panic rise inside her, dread so thick it was palpable. But underneath it all she heard him call her name.

Once through the portal the mage looked around her, noting how, at first glance it was not unlike Icecrown. But, she could see the souls of the dead everywhere. She could hear their mad whispers. And for the first time she felt doubt. How could she single out his voice among the many? How could she find him among the throngs of lost?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The group had finally found Lady Jaina and they’d taken refuge in a cave. Exhaustion over took Venibeth and she found a piece of ground, close enough to the fire for warmth yet far enough away that the voices of battle plans were all but silent. 

She felt as though she had no more than closed her eyes when she heard him calling her. She strained to hear, following the voice until she was separated from the rest, alone in the darkness of the Maw.

“I knew you’d come for me.” he said, his voice taking on a malevolent tone, “Dear sister,”

Venibeth froze, realizing too late that the one she had been following, the voice that had nagged at her for so long was not Riley. It was Voldric. Her twin. He stood over her, a sneer maring features so like her own. “He isn’t here dear one. You won’t find him. He didn’t die. He left you. He didn’t love you, nor those little brats he saddled you with.”

He stepped out of the shadows, his form little more than a dark, oily shadow, but his touch… she felt spears of ice pierce her flesh where his hand rested on her shoulder and try as she might she could not keep her feet. She dropped to her knees with a sob as he stooped, fingers pressed beneath her chin as he forced her head up, his dead stare holding her ridgid with fear, “You are meant to be with me sister. Always with me.”

His voice drowned out all sound, there was only him. Until a strange whooshing noise split the air. A blade cut through the darkness, cleaving the shadowy image of Voldric in two. Venibeth screamed as though she too had been sundered. And then a hand reached out to her, gauntleted and solid. 

“It is not safe for you hear Venibeth. Your service to us in Icecrown is enough. You need not stay.” Darion Morgraine raised the mage to her feet. “We will defeat this evil without you though your efforts will be sorely missed.” The death knight lifted Venibeth to her feet, resting a hand lightly on her arm, “Return to your children. Your work here is done.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With a start Venibeth sat bolt upright in bed, the moon shining through the curtained window, bathed the room in silvery light. She raked her hands through her hair, taking a deep breath to slow the wild thrumming of her heart. 

“Mommy… we had a bad dream… you went away and left us...” Aiden said, standing at the edge of the bed, his hand clutching tightly at that of his sister, “Can we sleep with you?”

“Of course darlings, of course you can,” Veni answered as she gathered the children to her, one on either side, their heads resting lightly on her breasts. “Mommy’s here, don’t worry,” she murmured, “Mommy isn’t going anywhere.”

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[venibethstokes]

Crash

Venibeth straightened abruptly, her eyes going wide at the crash from the shop. She turned to the twins, “Stay here. Don’t you dare move.” she warned.

Aiden and Emma nodded gravely, “Okay mommy.” they replied in unison.

The mage gave them a dubious look then darted through the curtained door that separated the shop from the living quarters just as another crash resounded through the building.

The broom she’d enchanted and had left sweeping when she’d taken the children in for lunch lay on the floor, the end of the handle protruding through a broken pane of glass while a dress dummy leaned brokenly against the wall. A small table that had held a vase of flowers was turned on its side, the blossoms scattered amidst shards of glass and puddled water.

She scanned the shop, her eyes settling on a large brindled cat that stood at the door, yowling to be let out, looking for all the world as it was the one who had been wronged. 

She moved toward the feline, faster than it liked and it shrieked, lunging past her and knocking her off balance. She stumbled backward and fell against the dress dummy that remained standing. It tumbled over with her, shattering another pane of glass and burying her underneath the folds of a velvet ball gown.

Struggling with the heavy fabric, Veni didn’t hear the bell on the door ring. She had no idea there was anyone around until a hand reached out and grabbed hers, pulling her up as the mannequin was lifted away.

“Are you alright?” the voice was deep, with a timbre that sent a warm shiver down Veni’s back. She looked up into a pair of startlingly pale green eyes that reminded her of sea foam. The man’s hair was dark auburn, a lock of falling across a brow furrowed with concern.

Veni nodded dumbly then jerked her hand away as if scalded, “Yeah. Fine. I’m fine.” she took a few steps back, tucking her own hair behind her ear before looking up at him again, “Thanks for helping me. I don’t know where that cat came from or how he got in.”

“That would be Grover I suspect. He’s the town cat and he can be a real pain in the a... “ the man paused and ducked his head, smiling sheepishly, “Well, you know.” he removed the broom from the open window pane, and placed it, with the two mannequins, against the counter, then stooped to pick up the shards of glass, “I know you just got the shop open,” he said as he worked, “I can fix the windows for you if you’d like. Looks like that’s the worst damage.”

“Please stop.” Veni pleaded, giving a lopsided smile when he looked up at her, “You’re putting my broom out of work.” she said as she waved a hand toward said tool. The broom teetered a bit against the counter then moved, returning to its previous task of sweeping, this time concentrating on the broken glass.

The man watched the broom for a minute, chuckling softly, “Well that’s handy. I’ve seen those in the shops in Stormwind, and in the mage tower of course. Don’t think I’ve seen one out here though.”

The two of them stood in silence for a moment, a silence that was quickly broken by another loud crash coming from the other side of the curtain. “Bloody hell.” Veni swore as she rushed through the doorway, the man close on her heels.

Aiden crouched next to his sister who lay on the floor, his lip was trembling as he fought back the urge to join her as she sobbed, rubbing a growing knot on her head. At his mother’s look the boy stammered, “We wa...wanted to see. I got down and… and..Emmy… she fell.”

Veni knelt beside her daughter, scooping her up in her arms as she surveyed the damage. She kissed the girl’s head and smiled, “It’s just a little bump sweetie. It’ll be a bruise but I think you’ll be okay. To be sure we’ll go see Aunty Niv okay?” Emma sniffled and nodded, against Veni’s neck, he tears already drying on her cheeks.

It took Veni a moment to realize that Aiden had stopped crying as well. She turned to look at her son, her alarm growing as she remembered the broken panes of glass in the shop. The man sat lotus style nearby, Aiden balanced on one knee as the two talked, for all the world as if they’d been friends forever.

“Looks like you’re going for a visit little man.” he said as he stood, setting the boy firmly on his feet at his mother’s side. He turned his gaze to Veni, “Don’t worry, I’ll get the window secured while you get them ready. Just a couple of boards for now, until I can get the glass. The shop’ll be safe as houses in a jiffy.”

Veni stood looking at the man, Emma’s arms still wrapped around her neck while Aiden held her hand, while three sets of hazel eyes stared with varied emotions, “Thanks. Oh… I’m Veni. Venibeth Stokes and these are my kids.”

The man nodded and smiled, “Yeah. I know. You’re pretty big news around here. My name’s Ezra Harper. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

[venibethstokes]

We Got You

She hadn’t been able to find a buyer for the house and forge yet but there had been inquiries in renting the forge and that was the next best thing as far as Venibeth was concerned. She had a little money set aside that she used as a down payment on the shop and the apartment behind it, the monthly rents from the forge would pay for the mortgage and any money she made sewing would cover her other expenses. Or so she hoped.

Veni looked around the little shop, adjusting a dress dummy in the window so that it displayed the crimson and cream colored dress at its best angle. The window itself gleamed brightly in the sunlight that filtered through the usual canopy of clouds hovering over Darkshire. The counters shone with fresh polish and the mirrors reflected the light,  filling the interior of the shop with a faint golden glow.

The children sat on the floor playing with blocks, babbling to one another in the language of twins and Veni felt a pange at the loss of her own, as well as a twinge of fear that Aiden and Emma might end up as she and Voldric had.

Shaking her head to dismiss her dark thoughts, Veni moved to the door, and turning the little sign that hung in the window, unlocked the door; opening her tailoring business for the very first time.

She sat on a stool behind the counter and picked up her latest project, a piece of pale blue fabric onto which she was embroidering snowdrop blossoms. The fabric would make a lovely dress for Emma and it would carry the memory of her father. Veni sighed heavily. The white flowers had always reminded her of Riley; being a worgen and a blacksmith, he seemed to crave the colder climes of places like Dun Morogh, in fact that’s where he lived when they’d first met.

He’d moved to Duskwood for her, so that she could be near her best friend. Now she found herself wondering if he had truly been happy there. Their relationship had always been volatile but she had always marked it up to their personalities. He, by his worgen nature, seemed to have a certain rage always simmering beneath the surface. And she was as unpredictable as the fire magic she used to wield.

Fire had taken so much from her; her brother, her husband, her life.

The mage’s dark thoughts were interrupted by the sound of childish laughter and she glanced down at the floor where the children played. Emma waved her fingers and a dust cloth danced across the room, whirling in mad circles. Veni blinked, taking a moment to process what she was seeing then used her own magic to steady the thing. She rose from her stool, moving to crouch near the children.

“Now sweetie, none of that in here, you might break something.” she gently chided her daughter, booping her nose playfully to keep the sting from the reprimand. The twins looked at one another, chattering in their secret language before the girl looked at her mother and nodded, “Kay momma.” she said, her sage nod looking all the more serious for having come from a two year old child.

Veni kissed each child’s brow then moved back to her sewing, swallowing a sigh. Raising two children on her own was going to be much harder than she’d expected. Damn Riley for going to Darnassus that day. Damn him for dying and leaving her on her own.

With a snarl she balled up the fabric, shoving it into a back corner of the counter. Her anger giving way to tears, she dropped to her knees and buried her face in her hands until she felt the awkward touch of little fingers gently stroking her hair. Emma stood at her left and Aiden at her right, the two of them trying to sooth their mother’s sadness. “Don’t worry momma, we got you.” Aiden murmured, wrapping his little arms around her and kissing her cheek.

[chasing-t-h-e-wind-deactivated2]

[prettystuff]

[venibethstokes]

Last Chance Disappointment

“Yes, I saw him.” the frail night elf murmured. “But not… after… no I didn’t see him after.”

Venibeth’s hopeful expression faltered, “Where exactly did you see him?”

“He kept going back in. He would bring someone out and then go back. I think… four, five times? And then there was a rumble and it all came down.” the woman paused and took a sip of water, “I’m always so thirsty now, and everything tastes like ash.” she took another drink then set the glass aside, “I didn’t see him after that. But I wouldn’t expect to. Nothing could have made it out alive.”

The mage let out a small gasp, gulping in air in an effort to quell the tears that trembled on her lashes. Of course he would go back. It’s what he did… She reached out and squeezed the woman’s hand, “Thank you for your time. I hope you’re better soon.”

She made her way slowly through Stormwind, leaving the refugee camp behind. She walked past the pumpkin patch, the great orange gourds unnoticed, as was the lake and the children running by.

Of course he would go back. He always thought of other people. Other people besides his family. How could he risk his life like that when he had two small children at home? How could he give up everything for a bunch of strangers? How dare he abandon them that way? How dare he abandon her?

The sorrow that had been her constant companion was drown in anger. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, her body trembling as every emotion, every ounce of hope was swallowed up in a flood of rage. She raised her hands, flames dancing dangerously around her fingers, she drew her arm back, ready to hurl the fireball away from her. And then she stopped.

Fire had destroyed Teldrassil. Fire had taken her brother. Fire had nearly destroyed their home. And fire had taken Riley from her, taken him from his children.

She shook her hand as if stung and the flames flickered out. Just like the plans they’d had for the future, it wavered and died; nothing left but a small plume of smoke. She breathed deeply, and brushed a strand of dark hair from her face.

The night elf and worgen officials who were overseeing the recovery of Teldrassil had already listed Riley as deceased along with hundreds of others. They had told her there was no way anyone could survive the smoke and flames but Veni had clutched hope to her like a talisman, certain that he would rise from the ashes and come home. They were bureaucrats, they hadn’t been there, what did they know?

But the woman she’d spoken to had been there, had seen Riley, had all but watched him die. That was it, the last hope of his survival dashed to pieces. He wasn’t coming back.

She closed her eyes, breathing deeply and reminding herself that the world was different now, her life was different now. And it was then that she flipped the switch. She couldn’t spend countless hours grieving, she had children to care for, and she was the only one to do it.

He was dead and life required all her attention now.

[venibethstokes]

Family

Venibeth watched the twins running across the yard, trying to keep up with the bigger kids. She laughed merrily as Aiden and Emmaline scurried by, their stubby little legs churning up the dust.

“Now that’s a sound I haven’t heard in a while. It sounds good on you.”

The mage gave her companion a sidelong glance and smiled, “It feels good. Thanks again for taking us in Jacy. I know we really don’t fit the criteria for residents here but I really couldn’t stay in that house anymore.”

“I understand and I don’t think anyone could find fault in allowing the three of you to stay here. Honestly, even if they did I wouldn’t care. You came here in your time of need and that’s basically the service this house provides. It’s a women’s shelter after all.” Jacy replied. She paused for a moment, then continued, “Any idea what you’re going to do? Not that I’m trying to rush you or anything, you stay as long as you need.”

Veni didn’t answer for the longest and Jacy had almost decided she wouldn’t when finally she sighed, “I guess I’ll sell the house. There’s no reason that forge should go unused.” she took a long, shaky breath and let it out slowly, “Maybe I’ll open a tailor shop in town. Do you think Duskwood has enough business to support me and the kids? Should I maybe go to Stormwind instead?”

Jacy frowned, “Stormwind? Do you really want to get that far away from your family?”

The silence stretched between them again until Venibeth spoke, her voice resigned, “That’s the only family I have left.” she said, nodding toward the twins who were merrily chasing the chickens.

“Family’s not just blood Veni. You’ve got Niviene and Bragh. And you’ve got me. There are tons of people here who care for you, we’d do anything for you. If that’s not family I don’t know what is.”

Out in the yard, the twins stopped playing, turning to look at their mother then back at one another. In unison they moved to the porch, climbing up the steps and going to Venibeth, wrapping their little arms around her. The mage pulled them to her in a hug, looking over the pair of dark heads, tears spilling down her cheeks, “Thanks, you have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”

[venibethstokes]

Moving On

The afternoon sun came streaming through the lace curtains, leaving dappled shadows across the kitchen table. Niviene glanced around the room, taking in the hustle and bustle of the women preparing the evening meal, listening to the laughter and lively conversation that practically bounced off the walls of the room. She turned sky blue eyes to the woman who sat across from her then looked down into her tea cup, “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

Venibeth nodded, her speech a little rushed, “Yeah. I can’t stay there. There’s too many reminders. I know it’s silly. I know he might come home. But the place is so big and the forge… it looms out there, silently judging me. I just can’t.” she shuddered slightly and shook her head, “No this is good. There’s plenty going on to distract me from myself most of the time. And when it all gets to me there are plenty of people to listen to me rant or comfort me when I cry.”

She looked up at her long time friend and her features softened, she reached out and put a hand on Niv’s, “Not that you aren’t there for me when I need you. You’ve been great. I couldn’t have gotten this far without you. But here, there’s always someone to watch the kids when I… when I go out of town.”

The priestess looked at Venibeth turned her hand up, lacing her fingers through the mage’s, squeezing gently, “It’s alright, I understand. Have you heard anything new?”

The mage heaved a great sigh, her whole body slumping with discouragement, “Nothing real. There have been sightings.” this was accompanied by air quotes, “But when I get there it was someone else. People tend to think all Gilnaen’s look alike.”

Niviene watched Veni for a moment then, softening her voice, she asked, “How much longer are you going to do this? You’re killing yourself.”

Venibeth pulled her hand away, dropping it into her lap, “I don’t know. I can’t just give up can I? The kids need their daddy.” she sighed brokenly, her voice thick with unshed tears, “You know, I still don’t know why he went to Darnassus that day. That day of all days. I try telling myself that he wasn’t there when the horde attacked, that he escaped the fire. Everytime I go there, every time I check in and there’s no news I think…. That means he’s not dead. He wasn’t there. But I know Riley, if he was able he would have come home to his babies. He would have come home to me.”

“You’re right, he would have. So… how long are you going to put yourself through this? It’s been months. You were already thin but you’re skin and bones now. He would barely recognize you if he walked through that door. You know he wouldn’t want you to put yourself through this. Beside, those kids need you now more than ever.” Niviene glanced around the kitchen again before turning back to Venibeth, “It’s great that you’re surrounded by friends but they need their momma. They need you. Now more than ever.”

Veni nodded, “Just one more trip. I got a message this afternoon, I’m going in the morning. If it’s a dead end I’ll let it go. I’ll try to convince myself that Riley’s gone for good.”

[venibethstokes]