True Knight

Keldren stared long and hard at M’uru. The naaru was surrounded by an eerie reddish glow, overwhelming the soft blue light that it normally emanated. Three blood elf mages stood around the perimeter, channeling their red beams of arcane magic to keep the naaru immobile. The red glow pulsated as the mages slowly and steadily siphoned the power of Light from M’uru for future Blood Knight use.

So focused on the naaru, Keldren failed to see Knight-Lord Bloodvalor walk up to him.

Placing a hand on Keldren’s shoulder, Bloodvalor spoke. “To many what we do is distasteful,” he said, “but sometimes in order to survive, we must put aside our ideals.”

“But if we cast out our ideals,” Keldren replied, “what are we fighting for?”

“Power.” Bloodvalor gazed upon the new Blood Knight Adept. “We fight for power and to claim what is rightfully ours. We blood elves are the heirs of power and nothing will stand in our way. The Scourge, the Alliance, nothing shall stand before our destiny.”

Keldren looked up again at M’uru again. The iridescent glow was fading. The mages saw this and eased off on their mana tap.

“But why not try to learn to receive the Light freely?”

“Because these are desperate times,” Bloodvalor explained. “The Sin’dorei need to be strong now or Silvermoon will fall again. Besides, why beg for power when you can just take it?”

Keldren thought he heard a small sigh escaping Bloodvalor’s lips. “House Aravel is the rare few that still channel the Light freely Keldren. Not everyone has that ability. We need the Order to maintain peace and to protect our borders. And without this naaru, that would be impossible.”

“And power without discipline can be dangerous…”

Bloodvalor angrily stared at Keldren, “I will not be lectured by an Adept about how the Blood Knights should be run.”

“My apologies, Knight-Lord,” Keldren bowed. “I overstepped my boundaries.”

Relishing his authority over the young elf, Bloodvalor crossed his arms and stared at Keldren with a condescending stare. “Your ability to channel the Light has made you weak. You are starting to show signs of mercy,” he said with relish, “and a lack of respect to authority. Maybe I should have your Adept status stripped?”

“What is going on here?” It was a feminine voice I recognized, strong and commanding.

Bloodvalor stiffened as he heard the voice behind him. He turned around and with a respectful bow said, “Lady Liadrin. It is nothing. I am just disciplining an Adept for his insubordination.”

Lady Liadrin looked past Bloodvalor and gazed at Keldren. “That will be enough, Knight-Lord. I’ll handle it from here.”

“But madam…”

She tilted her head as if surprised. “I said, that will be enough.” Bloodvalor’s shoulders slumped and whatever strength and courage he had mustered up against Keldren vanished. Lady Liadrin added, “Return to your post Knight-Lord.”

“Yes milady.”

Bloodvalor slinked away, his ego bruised. Lady Liadrin kept her eye on him until he disappeared from her view, then turning her attention to Keldren so was now looking back at her.

“I assume your father is doing well?” She smiled.

“Yes, he’s fine,” Keldren answered.

“And your mother?” she asked. “I really should visit her. It’s been so long but my responsibilities keep me here.”

“She is doing well and she would be very pleased to meet up with you again.”

“Your parents still hoping I will change?” Lady Liadrin smirked.

Keldren nodded, his lips forming a smile. “My parents are romantics. They are almost irritatingly hopeful. They will not lose faith that you will return to the Light.”

“Your family almost makes me want to believe but my path is set now,” Lady Liadrin responded as she turned her gaze to M’uru. The eerie red light pulsated as if responding to her statement.

“Is there no redemption, even for the sin’dorei?” Keldren asked.

“Time will tell,” Lady Liadrin chanted. “Time will tell.”