No fighting

[moonshadows]

            “Hello?”

I step through the Twisting Nether to the array chamber so I can see who our visitor is, and Illidan steps out behind me. A night elf woman in Sentinel’s armor is standing on the projection stone.

“My name is Rainbird…the High Priestess sent me. I have a letter. She thinks I have a gift for the arcane arts and…well, she wouldn’t tell me who, but she said there was someone here who might be able to teach me…?”

Illidan scowls and touches a crystal. “Stay where you are until told otherwise,” he growls, voice projected to the Sentinel who starts but does not otherwise move. “A student,” he says bitterly, knowing I will understand what is not being said.

It’s been more than half a year since he claimed Eldarath Keep for his own, and repairing the structure has distracted him nicely from how badly his people welcomed his return – those few that even knew he was there before I made it known to Tyrande that being in Darnassus was hurting him. He wants students, of course – to be a respected teacher, the legitimacy of joining the ranks of those who envied the destiny his eyes promised, to share his first passion rather than passing on the lessons he wrested from the arms of torture and insanity.  But by that same token, he fears letting his guard down and having his would-be student turn on him.

“Tyrande wouldn’t have sent her if she didn’t think her worthy of your time,” I say quietly.

The scowl deepens. “I will not have her entertaining…notions…about me. Go to High Priestess Veehja and ask if one of her Sirens would like to learn the art of arcane magic from me. A little competition will head off a lot of trouble.”

“Yes, Kal’shan!”

==================================

“Enter,” my star’s voice echoes as the door slides open, “and my emissary will judge if you are worthy.”

Cautiously, Rainbird steps into the dark room and I summon a mage-light – a weak one; kaldorei eyes are comfortable in half-light. She stops dead on seeing me, thoughts of fear and violence tamed with admirable speed under the lash of faith in her High Priestess.

“My name is Jentessa,” I say without preamble. “Before the Lord of Eldarath decides if you are worthy of being his student, it is my duty to prepare you for him. Listen closely; I enforce the rules he lays down, and I will know if you break them. First, you will address him as Shan’do. You will hear me call him Kal’shan. Only I have that right, and hearing the title come from anyone else will be taken as a personal insult.” I pause, waiting for her to nod. “Second, there will be no fighting with the other students – and there will be other students – no matter what race they may be.” Veehja was delighted that my star had decided to take in students, even if he was limiting their number. Only one naga will be joining us for now, but others will follow if Tyrande sends more night elves to Eldarath.

My lips slip into a slightly-cruel smile. “On that note, there is no point in competing to see who will be your master’s favorite. I am his favorite, and nothing you can do will change that. Any attempt to dislodge me will only incur your master’s wrath. Third, you are not to disclose your master’s identity to anyone outside of Eldarath Keep.” That gets a shock of surprise, and Rainbird’s mind leaps into overdrive trying to figure out who Tyrande would both know and trust, and who would have such a strong desire for secrecy. There’s still no panic, however, just that well-controlled fear. “Fourth. When you see him, certain associations may leap to mind. Under no circumstances will you voice the word ‘betrayer’. Don’t even think it.” My eyes glow just a bit brighter as I grab her attention, silently asserting my dominance over the women several hundred years my senior. “Yes, I am a demon. No, you cannot triumph over me. Yes, he was insane. No, he’s not insane anymore. I fixed him. I will know if you have broken the rules, and I am the one who will be enforcing them. No fighting. I fixed him. Imagine what I could do should I turn my powers to less benign acts.”

Rainbird trembles a bit, then steadies, her mind repeating Illidan’s name like a prayer, then nods her total acceptance.

“She’s ready for you now, Kal’shan,” I say lightly, not even trying to keep my adoration hidden.

He steps into the room, wings half-spread in a subconscious show of dominance born of fear, centuries of experience making the emotion look like anger.

“Shan’do,” Rainbird says, sinking to one knee without lowering her eyes from his face.

He pauses, waiting for the silent accusations, but they’re not here and his mind purrs in satisfaction. “Tessa, my Champion, our other prospective student approaches.”

I nod and move to his side as a faint hissing heralds the Siren’s approach. Rainbird does not move as the naga slithers up beside her and bows sinuously.

“Lord Sssstormrage, High Priessstessss Veehja ssselected me to be your ssstudent, sssshould I be found worthy.”

“Your name?” he demands casually.

“Hith’ssiss, my lord.”

“Hith,ssiss, this is Rainbird. Rainbird, Hith’ssiss. As of now, you will both address me as Shan’do. I expect you each to work out any differences you may have with the other discreetly, as you two are going to be studying together under me.” One eyebrow arches upwards as he fights to hide a smile. “I also hope you can come to an agreement on cooking. You will be on your own in that matter, as neither my Champion nor I need to eat. My Champion will show you around. You may select any unoccupied room and claim it as your own. Rest; we keep daylight hours here, and your training begins in the third hour after dawn. Any questions?”

Hith’ssiss cocks her head to one side curiously. “Why daylight hoursss, Sssshan’do?”

He smiles, the expression slightly cruel from long habit. “So that you are both equally off-balance. I know that day and night mean little to the naga after thousands of years in the lightless depths; only bright light and the shadow you prefer. We will keep daylight hours because day and night mean little to me as well, but my Champion favors the day and I want to make it absolutely clear that I favor her.”