Ch2 Pt2 The Problem with Retirement

"That is quite a story Charibdys." the ageless and ancient Night Elf mutters in his monotone voice.  "You know of course that the few that have returned from the sleep report wild and horrifying dreams.  It seems something has warped the Emerald Dream.  But, the only person that can tell us what it might be, won't speak about it."

He was of course referring to the Arch Druid Malfurion.

I feel my nostrils flare in anger as I look across Elune'ara Lake from the balcony in Nighthaven.

"But what about the things I saw?  How can you explain that?  The assault on Icecrown Citadel?  Ulduar? the war between the Alliance and the Horde?  For that matter, the Horde was not even around when I laid down in the Barrow Den, how could I even know about it!?!"

Rabine gazes across the lake and again shows no emotion or reaction.  He is sometimes infuriating to talk to because of his stoic demeanor.

"I don't have an answer for you Charibdys.  Your tale is amazing and unique.  I suspect you will only ever get an answer from Ysera herself." he replies slowly.

He was right of course.  In my heart I felt a sense of despair that couples with unanswered mysteries.

As the days and months pass, I stay in ever-Springtime forest of Moonglade, going about my business pretending to be a common dweller.  For a time I served as a Warden, then I went on to training young druids to use their abilities.  All the while I quietly carry these intense memories of a counterfeit life, the life of an exalted hero of the Alliance.

Then came the day that it all came crashing down.

Word came to the glade from a group of humans that the Deathwing himself had been killed by a brave band of heroes led by none other than Thrall himself.  Deathwing was the grandfather of the entire Black Dragonflight.  It is said that he was driven mad for some unknown reason and the former Earth Warden set out to destroy the world.  In fact, it was his own followers that attacked the Barrow Den on Mount Hyjal where I was laid to sleep.

News of this event led a council to decide to send an emissary from Moonglade to first Darnassas, and then the great city of the humans, to decide how we would repair the damage done by Deathwing. 

In spite of my refusal to go, it was decided that I would be that emissary.  I am certain that this was a misguided attempt to get me to leave Moonglade and see the world.

In a days time, I was on the back of a hippogryph and soaring through the sky towards the Night Elf city in the great tree, Darnassas.

The great tree seemed bigger than I remembered.  My mount landed at its base near the sea and I could see it's soaring branches clawing into the clouds.  My races misguided attempt at replacing the great tree that was destroyed an age ago atop Mount Hyjal.

A magical gateway quickly brought me to the heart of the city high in the sky.  It was largely how I remembered.  Marble towers and colonnades, pathways going here and there, a tremendous aura of peace and harmony.  I strolled down the various paths, looking with pride at the heart of my people.

I admittedly wandered for a bit, invigorated by the adventure and the glory of this great city.  My steps took me to the steps of the massive Temple of the Moon.  Walking through the archway, I could feel the primordial magic swirling all about me.  A great fountain in its center poured water from a basin into the pools below.  I strolled for a while in its interior before ascending the steps up to the balcony.  My heart was full of joy and peace.

Until I saw...  him.

Standing at the edge of the great balcony stood a twisted, hunched over man dressed in fine clothing with a tall hat.  His long arms hung awkwardly at his side, covered in thick oily fur.  In place of his hands he had vicious, dirty claws.  His face was a snarling visage of horror something between a slobbering wolf and a human.  He turned to me and bared his yellow fangs.

"Good day to you m'lady" he growled.

My heart felt as if it stopped in my chest.  My mouth opened to scream, but nothing came out.  My knees went weak and I fell to the ground.  Cold terror washed over me like a wave.

"Ma'am?  Are you all right?" he said as he turns to face me.  Those burning eyes, searing my soul.

"AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"  The scream finally came out as the tears erupted across my face.

The nearby sentinels were at my side in a flash.  My scream echoing across the serene temple.

The Worgen held his claws up in the air, as if pleading for mercy.

"Sentinels!!  Kill him!!  He is a monster that will destroy us all!!  Calmfury!!  How could you come here?!?" I stammer

The Sentinels stand in bewilderment.

"What is the meaning of this?" a firm, commanding voice rings out.

"Priestess Tyrande!" one of the Sentinels calls out.  "This Druid seems be frightened of our Gilnean guest."

The beautiful and graceful Night Elf Priest kneels in front of me, blocking my view of the Worgen.

"Charibdys, do you know this man?"

"M'lady, I swear I have never seen this elf before." the bewildered Worgen stammers

"Charibdys...  snap out of it and speak to me." Tyrande says firmly.

"She called me Calmfury...  I don't know who that is M'lady.  My name is Karl, I'm with the refugees" he stammers on.

"Sentinel, bring Malfurion here immediately" Tyrande commands.  A soft glowing light rises from her hand and washes over my chest.  "Let the Goddess remove your fear Charibdys"

"M'lady, if it's all the same, I'll be leaving back to the refugee camp."

Tyrande nods her head and the Worgen strides off down the stairs and out of the Temple.

"Priestess, how could you let those beasts come here?!?" I manage to say with a sob.  "I have seen the terrible things they do."

"She does not know." Tyrande turns to say as the hulking form of Malfurion Stormrage, greatest of all Druids sprints up to us.

"Take her into the tower in the Temple gardens, have Chardryn make her a tea to soothe her."  Malfurion says

"We will talk to her" Tyrande says as she steps back for the Sentinels to lift me off the ground.

"Indeed" Malfurion says "I seem to recall she was one of the sleepers that was trapped in the Emerald Nightmare.  Perhaps I should have a conversation with her about her experience."