Into the Light

25 | A SECRET WEAPON

Khadgar crept towards her, his tunic smoking. He reached out, cautious, and touched her, fearing he had killed her.

She lay on her side, facing away from him. He rolled her onto her back. She still breathed, thank the Light. He picked her up and carried her to his quarters. Once there, he dithered where to put her, the sofa or his bed. The bed was more comfortable. He laid her down. She looked so small and vulnerable. How could he have ever thought her a demon? He found a blanket and covered her, guilt riding him hard.

He withdrew to the other side of the room and paced back and forth, unsure what to do with her. Should he keep her here, and let no one know about her, or should he bring her back to Dalaran where the truth about her powers would be revealed. He continued pacing, keeping an eye on her, waiting for her to revive.

He decided he couldn't risk it, she would have to stay here. She could study in the library, he already knew she would have no trouble getting the books to come to her. Within these powerful walls, she could learn to control her powers faster than anywhere else. He would be able to visit her every day, without anyone knowing. It would work. She would be Azeroth's secret weapon. He nodded, satisfied. He had a plan.

He turned, and found Idira sitting up, watching him, afraid.

He went to her. Frightened, she scuttled backwards and pressed herself against the bed's headboard. He knelt beside her, the leather of his boots creaking in the quiet. "Forgive me Idira. I have done great wrong against you. I will make it right, somehow."

"You called me a demon."

He winced. "I did. You have power unlike anything I have ever seen before. We are living in very dark times. You came out of nowhere, you have no family, and you have incomprehensible powers. You managed to breach my domain without any effort. I did what I thought right to protect Azeroth."

"You attacked me," she shuddered. "It still hurts."

He nodded, guilt crashing into him once more. "If you wish, you may hurt me back."

She shook her head. "Never. You are the Archmage."

"What if I told you it would make me feel better?"

Her eyes came to his. She bit her lower lip. He suppressed a groan. Why did she have to do that?

"You want to feel pain?" she asked, confused.

"Yes." He left the bed, and went to the centre of the room. He set aside his staff. "Physical pain will help numb the guilt I feel for what I have done to you." He nodded at her. "Go ahead, I deserve it."

He waited, bracing himself. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Nothing happened. She slumped back onto the bed and shook her head. "I cannot."

"You cannot or you will not?" he asked, gentle.

"I cannot. I . . . don't know how."

He nodded. "Then I will wait until you are able. I won't let you forget." He took up his staff. "I know I do not deserve to ask for your trust after what I have done to you, but I would like you to stay here and study, instead of in Dalaran. You are safer here under my care."

She lifted an eyebrow at him, dubious. "Am I?"

He deserved that. He sighed. "I will come back later with food, real food, not the conjured variety. For now, I must go, I am already late." She didn't say anything. He went to the door.

She came after him. "Wait. I am afraid to be here on my own. Please, let me come with you back to Dalaran, I won't tell anyone about what you did."

He knew he was asking much of her, if only she knew how important she had become to him--and to Azeroth--how important it was he protected her, and kept her a secret.

"What if I left a part of me here with you, would that help?"

Her brow furrowed. "An image?"

He cast a spell, and his staff blazed with light. Idira trembled, but stood her ground. A raven flew out of the light and landed on the back of a chair. She went to it. It walked over to her and hopped onto her shoulder. She looked up, confused. "A raven?"

"Ah this is no ordinary raven, I can see through its eyes, and hear through its ears. If you are in trouble, or need me, just call to me. You are never alone, so long as you keep my raven with you."

She held up her arm. It moved onto it. She held it up, examining it, uncertain. "Can it protect me?"

"No, but I can. Nothing in this fortress can harm you, however. You will see. The library is straight down the hall. Once you are feeling better, why not return? The books seemed to like you very much. They will teach you what you need to know, much faster than I can."

She reached into her gown, and fished in a pocket. She held out his ring. "The guards called me a thief. They chased me back to your office. I couldn't understand why they didn't follow me through the door. I think I know why now--they couldn't, could they?"

Khadgar watched her drop the ring into his upturned hand. "No. But they saw you go through a sealed door. I will deal with them." He opened his pouch and placed the ring back inside. "Perhaps now you see why it is best for you to stay here? In this place no one will judge you, or punish you. You are safe here."

She took hold of his arm, her touch sending tingles up his spine. "Promise you will come back to me."

He covered her hand with his. "I promise, Idira. I won't leave you alone."

He knew his words meant more to him than they did to her, but it didn't matter. Ever since he'd carried her to the bed, he'd felt himself falling for her, his heart plummeting towards a place it had no right to be. Despite the world coming apart and the threats facing Azeroth rising to the insurmountable, the feelings she had begun to ignite in him made him feel more alive than he ever had before. Was this love? He had no idea--no one had ever done this to him before--but whatever was happening to him, there was nothing he could do to stop it, and, he realised, he didn't want it to, anyway.

He looked at her one last time as he cast a teleportation spell back to his office, the last thing he saw her do was bite her lip. He closed his eyes, knowing if anyone was in need of protection, it was him who needed protecting from her.