True Knight

(Events take place pre-2.4 patch of the game, prior to Kael’thas’ taking of the naaru M’uru from the Blood Knight headquarters.)

The rays of the bright golden sun pierced the window of his private room at the estate, signaling a new day. The gloom of night faded away and the heat of the new dawn nudged Keldren awake. Every morning started the same for the young blood elf. Sitting up and stretching out his limbs to loosen the tightness brought upon by sleep, he gave out a big yawn. After combing through his long platinum hair with his fingers, Keldren cracked his neck left and right. And then the calmness of the morning was stirred as something sinister roared in his mind.

The hunger was starting again.

Keldren quickly sat on the carpeted rug next to his bed and crossed his legs. Placing a hand on each of his knees, he closed his eyes concentrating and focusing. The hunger beckoned. Each blood elf had their own methods of subduing the hunger. Some chose to clear their minds of all thought. Others focused on a specific object, like a crystal or gem.

Keldren focused on the Light. It was something his father Matheus taught him. His words echoed in his mind as Keldren tried to suppress the fel energy flowing through his veins.

“The Light is creation my son. Fel magic belongs in the Darkness. But always remember, the Darkness is measured and defined in relation to the Light and can be suppressed. Focus on the Light’s healing powers and you can overcome anything.”

With partially opened eyes, he stared at the blood-tempered ranseur leaning against the wall. Only two days ago, he had presented the magnificent polearm to Knight-Lord Bloodvalor as proof of his achievements, promoting him to Blood Knight Adept. He was well on his way to becoming a full-fledged Blood Knight. It was ironic considering how House Aravel, his family, disapproved of the very order. Yet, it was his own father who recommended that Keldren should join its ranks.

Keldren closed his eyes again and took a deep breath. The discipline, the focus and meditation finally soothed his craving for magic. Every day he had to mediate in order to suppress this craving. The alternative was unpleasant in Keldren’s mind. Siphoning ambient magic from creatures or the environment itself did satisfy the addiction but there were many dangers. Without proper control over the addiction, many blood elves had become twisted by the fel magics coursing through their veins becoming the Wretched. And to someone committed to the Light, stealing magical energy from creatures seemed very reprehensible.

With a soft sigh, Keldren opened his eyes and stood up. The craving was finally gone, at least till the next day. Strapping on his chain mail armor, he left room taking the ranseur, his symbol as a knight, and headed downstairs.

The Aravel Estate was befitting of the noble family of their stature. Not the highest ranking noble house with great influence over the politics of Quel’Thalas but also not the weakest, House Aravel settled at a comfortable median. The estate itself was elegant without being ostentatious. Bright sunlight flooded past the many large windows that lined the great marble floor of the main hall. Keldren felt the gentle warmth of the morning sun and sighed, walking towards the dining hall.

In the dining hall, he found his father and his mother, Lhorynna enjoying a pleasant breakfast. The delicious aroma of crisp bacon, eggs, fruit and fresh baked bread reminded him just how hungry he was after the morning mediation. Keldren’s stomach growled in protest.

Lhorynna glanced over to her son, who was now standing next to her seat and smiled. “Have the Order’s training become so rigorous that they are now starving their students?” Her long vibrant auburn hair was up, shaped in a popular style. She had noble, comely features and radiated an aura of elegance.

Keldren leaned over and kissed his mother on the cheek. “They feed us plenty of food for our body but my soul remains hungry.” Leaning his ranseur against a wall, Keldren sat down next to her and began filling his plate. “It’s good to be home, even if it’s only for a day.”

“Having difficulty living at the Academy?” Matheus asked.

“No, the living conditions are fine,” Keldren answered, “but I believe I am the only one amongst my peers that do not siphon the Light from M’uru. I still don’t understand why you wanted me to join the Blood Knights. Neither you or mother joined.”

Matheus sat quietly, sunlight gleaming on his loose silvery white hair. He stared at his son, who was his identical image when he was once young.

“Your mother and I had to take a stand,” he said, “but we also understood Silvermoon needed healing. Healing could not be achieved with a schism. That is why I asked for you to join the Blood Knights; to be House Aravel’s representative and to be a messenger of healing.”

“Doesn’t it seem a bit hypocritical for me to call myself a Blood Knight when we oppose all their evil methods?”

“I do not believe the Order to be evil Keldren,” Matheus responded. “Just misguided. Besides, I am not asking you to change into them. I am asking you to change them into you.”

Keldren stared at his father with a puzzled expression.

Matheus continued, “We could completely separate ourselves from the Order. But how would that solve anything? What would that accomplish? Nothing would change. But, if you could represent the Light, I mean truly represent the Light like a true paladin, there is hope that some would be inspired to change.”

Keldren was beginning to understand.

“A paladin accomplishes nothing hiding away in some monastery. It is self-serving, for a paladin is born to serve the Light and his nation. You must surround yourself in Darkness so that you can be a beacon of Light.”

Keldren pondered on his father’s words and then smiled. “Quite a speech. How long did you practice it?”

Matheus chuckled, “Since you joined the Order. I’ve been waiting for you to ask the right questions.”

Lhorynna glanced back and forth between her husband and her son. “Now if you two are done, I’d like to get back to breakfast and spend some quality time as a family.”

“Yes, Dear.”

“Yes, Mother.”