Wanda took several stumbling steps forward to grab the railing of the huge expanse of steps that lead upward to the Stormwind Cathedral of the Lightbringer. The contractions of her midsection were making it difficult for her to draw breath, she was beginning to become dizzy. Hand over hand, using the railing for support, she pulled her pained body up one step at a time. Wanda felt her knees weaken and she dropped to the cold, hard stone of the stair. Her body heaving with agony-filled, growling gasps for air as she crawled on hands and knees to reach the platform at the top of the stair. It was all she could bear, she collapsed in a ball, eyes shut tight, pulled herself into a tight bundle all the while rolling from side to side in an effort to ease the deep burning in her gut.

“What’s happening to me!” she cried inwardly.

At that precise thought, a soothing calm response entered her thought patterns as a smooth, low female voice that was warm and healing in her mind.

“Do not fight the path of the soul young druid, you must embrace the change, and know that we are here for you”

With that, Wanda’s world went dark.

She began to awaken as warm hands pressed their palms to her grimaced face and stroked her cheeks until they smoothed, she was no longer on the steps, in the cold. She felt warm and safe, soft down comforters that smelled like spices now covered her from head to toe. She felt no more pain. Slowly Wanda began to open her eyes, still unsure of all the events that had just occurred to her.

As the druidpeeked from under heavy lidded eyes, she saw a tall, beautiful woman with long, strawberry blond hair, dressed in shimmering, white, long robes trimmed in light yellow and deep purple. Standing next to this woman was a very, very short man.

Wanda blinked, she had never seen someone so short! He wore a long beard, and was regally dressed in white, loose fitting pants and knee length tunic which were both trimmed in pure gold, he was magnificent. He stood straight spined and inspected the young elf’s face intently.

His short legs took two small steps close to her bed, his eyes looking directly in to hers.

“I’m Thorden, head of Stormwind Cathedral of the Lightbringer, which is where you find yourself today lass. I trust Sariseva has brought you to health once again”, he bowed gracefully, his stubby fingers touching his gold waistband. “Now that you’re awake, I shall leave you two to your business.” The Paladin gave Wanda a smile, bowed deeply to Sariseva and turned on his boot heel and left the room.

Sari sat on the edge of the bed where Wanda lay, and noticed they were about the same age, “I’m Sariseva, healing priestess for Thorden,” she smiled lightly, “you were in transition when I found you on the stairs. Tell me what happened to you before this took place, if you’re not too tired.”

Wanda found her voice, it was horse and didn’t sound like herself. She recounted everything to Sari, from the moment the Horde had come to Teldrassil, until bringing the elflings to the orphanage. She was breathless and shaking by the time she was done her tale.

Sariseva was horrified.

“Never again,” said Wanda, her eyes becoming hard as two pale shards of ice as she stared at Sariseva. “Will I heal those who I do not protect first.”

Sari nodded in agreement. The two knew at that moment, that they had a bond that transcended their gifts for healing.

“Let’s get you dressed.” Sari spoke as she hopped up from the bed and headed to a beautiful armoire in the corner of the room. She pulled the door open and removed a lovely warm green gown with silver brocade. It glittered and had a light silvery glow about it.

“This gown has a healing enchantment on it that will help you with your unexpected transitions. Nythyx created the gown and then enchanted it just for you.” Sari carried the gown to Wanda.

“It’s fabulous!” Wanda’s face shown with delight. A puzzled look came to her face and she turned to Sari and asked:

“Who’s Nythyx?”