Chapter 69 (nice)

“Stop fidgeting.” Mama told me as I grumbled. She slowly adjusted the neck of the robes until they settled.

As much as this uncomfortable crap could.

“You look so noble.” Mama said, smiling at me, as she fluffed my hair.

“I look like an uncomfortable idiot wearing something that doesn’t fit.” I grumbled, and Mama just scoffed.

“It was tailored for you, it fits.” She teased. Still adjusting and fiddling with my robes.

“What am I here for? Just to suffer?” I quoted at her despairingly and Mama snorted at me.

“A girl that can charge into trolls can handle dress robes.” She told me firmly, brooking no argument.

“As the Ranger General commands.” I sighed defeated, and she giggled a bit reaching up to mush my cheeks.

“Be on your best behavior, but remember this is a reward. You can do this, daughter.”

“Yes Mama.” I confirmed, shedding the faux despair to show I was mostly playing.

“Off you go then.” She whispered to me, and I turned. Normally Mama and Papa would have come along but considering the circumstances, Mama needed to stay with Thas, and Papa a previous exile.

Well they decided to send me with other members of the family to the awards ceremony.

Technically it was called something more complicated, but that’s basically what it was. A party to celebrate those that fought beside the King at his call. Or something like that.

Grandma had actually decided to come along. Which surprised me at first, but she had the energy of someone that was going to rub their achievements into others faces, so I got the feeling she was coming more for herself than for me.

Grunkle was going to be my main watcher for this, and as I headed out of my room, there he was, also dressed up, although he had some ornate armor, and his sword and shield. Although both were in fancy scabbards, or resting against his back in a fancy sort of way.

He looked me up and down as I walked over and nodded.

“You look acceptable for once.”

“Rude.” I told him and then looked over.

Grandma walked over as well, having just come down from her rooms with her Flying Carpet.

“Acceptable. Honestly the fashion of today.” She scoffed, looking both Grunkle and I over, and not liking what she saw.

“Whats wrong with the robes? I mean sure I hate them, but they look fancy or whatever.”

“Dorah.” She said, a single word, and I smiled a little weakly.

“Sorry. I’ll be on my best behavior. I'm just uncomfortable.”

“I know.” She responded with a sigh, before nodding. “Its the cut, silly cuts, making it impossible to move and fight properly in it. The old cuts were made for wars. Perhaps I can speak to that fool boy and have him wear some of the older cuts to bring it back.” She grumbled.

I really wanted to point out how it was okay for her to make jokes, or insult people but not me?

But I also wanted to keep my head. So I stayed quiet.

“Alright, let's be off then. Deal with this nonsense.” She grumbled, but there was a pep in her step.

She was proud of me. Which was nice.

Although this whole thing just felt silly.

A way to shift focus from how bad the assault went to instead reward the bravery of the High Elves of Silvermoon.

Or something like that.

We headed out, El’Tela grumbling at the stairs, but with a few buffs she was down and we had a carriage of all things waiting for us.

It seemed a little…

We climbed into the carriage, and set off, literally just up the road to one of the palaces, it was literally in sight of the shop.

Showing up on foot was considered a faux pa or something though.

Elf nonsense at its finest.

Looking out the windows of the carriage I watched as we slipped into the line of those arriving, and then just waited.

Literally could have walked here and already been inside. But finally it was our turn. The three of us stepped out of the carriage. Grunkle helping El’Tela down and then we walked forward up the large stone steps leading into the palace’s ballroom? Conference room?

It was a massive room with a large stage for the King or royal family to stand upon to look down on us.

Of course it was already bustling. Stepping up Grandma handed a card to a man at the door he read it, and turned, his voice calling out loudly although not too loudly, just enough to echo through the room without sounding like he was yelling at the top of his lungs.

“The Family Arkhana’Shola, and Alah’Dorah Arkhana’Shola!” And we walked in.

For a moment we were the center of attention, but only for that moment, as people looked and then went back to mingling, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck relax.

“Come on Dorah.” Grunkle spoke quietly and pushed on my back to keep me moving as we stepped down into the room.

There were a lot of elves. Far more than those that had fought by the king a week ago.

Nobles, family members of those invited. The members of the Convocation as well.

And also the King and his family. The king stood in the center looking stately and regal. His wife beside him, and she was beautiful, her robes cut so finely, I looked like a street urchin in comparison.

The rest of his family was there.

Wife, and siblings,with their children.

Honestly the kings family was fairly small, but considering we were dealing with elves, that was less of an issue than you might think.

Still… No Kael’Thas. He hadn’t been born yet. The Prince that ends up failing his kingdom just as much as Arthas did his own.

Well, it didn’t matter. I’d do what I could to keep that whole series of events from happening, so there wouldn’t be a need for Kael to get stupid and start sucking up Fel energy.

“Ah, I was wondering if you would show your face here.” The voice was actually a familiar one, and I turned to see a Magistrix walk up to Grandma haughtily.

“Zan’Felanar, I see you invited yourself.” Grandma offered, and while Zan’Felanar looked at me she dismissed me to focus on Grandma. Grunkle took this as a perfectly acceptable situation and slowly pushed us further from the conversation as the two got into a pissing match. Seriously, Arcane Mind lady had a weird obsession with Grandma.

“Ignore them, this is common for these sorts of gatherings.” He whispered to me once we were far enough away.

I just shrugged. What else was I supposed to say?

So he guided us away from that little argument, and towards a group of men and women wearing similar robes to Grunkle. Their weapons on display was a sign of renown as only a few elves in the room seemed allowed to hold weapons at all.

Spellbreakers?

“Captain.”

“At ease, we are not in uniform.” Grunkle replied back to the first one that greeted him. The elf nodded and then looked at me, and it took a moment before he jolted, his eyes widening.

“You. You’re the healer.” He said, and I just blinked for a moment, and then nodded slowly.

“Yes?”

“That’s her?” Another Elf spoke as she walked over and looked me up and down. Being about the same height as me, and then nodded. “You fought like a demon. That spell of yours kept me going when I was on my last wind.”

“Oh, uh…”

A strong hand dropped on my shoulder. “She’s done her family proud.” Grunkle spoke up, saving me from having to talk.

The woman just nodded looking at me for a long moment then nodding again. “You should join the Breakers. We’d all be proud to fight beside you, especially if you keep casting those spells of yours on us.”

I opened my mouth to explain I wasn’t planning on staying in Silvermoon once the Trolls were dealt with, that I had other things to do, but this lady didn’t know me.

So instead I just smiled. “Thanks. It was an honor to fight alongside you as well.”

“Hear hear! A toast to the Healer!” The first Spellbreaker called out raising a glass and the entire crowd of Spellbreakers turned, those that hadn’t noticed, or were in other conversations all turned and raised glasses almost as one.

I flushed a little, feeling my ears go red at the attention.

Grunkle grabbed a passing drink from a server who had heard the call for a toast and did the same smirking at me.

I glared at him for a moment wanting to kick his shin or something, but instead just accepted the well wishes.

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Awkward.

All I’d done was what anyone would have!

Once the toast was done, Grunkle was dragged into a group of three Spellbreakers, the leaders I think, and he gave me a jerk of his head telling me to follow.

So I did.

But instead of them chatting amongst themselves they focused on me.

“That spell you used on us during the battle, the one that felt like I got a full night's sleep, how hard is it to learn?” A man with long red eyebrows that constantly wiggled as he spoke almost distractingly so, asked me as I joined Grunkles side.

“Inner Fire? Umm. I’m not sure. The healers were able to learn it okay, but its a Light spell, so it might be hard without some work with Light Magic.”

“Hmm. That is disappointing. Zo’Talana, should we integrate some training for this spell?”

“I’ve been asked that a few times this week by many curious voices. I’ve reached out to the Healing Halls to discuss some cross training to see if Spellbreakers can pick up a few additional spells, there will likely be at least a batch of trainees given the chance, and perhaps a Captain or two.” He confirmed, and the other three looked amongst themselves looking pleased.

“And if we can’t learn it?” A third Spell Breaker asked, a man that was glaring at everything, although that might just be his face.

“Then we might be making adjustments to the Healing Hall in the future.”

“Tsk. They refuse to fight. What will we drag around a healer behind us protecting them from everything?”

Grunkle looked at me. “Unlikely. Its possible previous beliefs of the healers might change, with the evidence in front of them.”

“Ah yes, the fact healers lose their abilities if they fight. I always thought that was nonsense.”

“It’s belief actually.” I said, before I could think better of it, and then felt my ears droop as all of them looked at me.

“What do you mean?” Grunkle asked, prompting me to continue.

“The Light is about belief. Belief in yourself, in something else, it's that conviction of your belief that powers the whole thing… I’m not sure where the idea that healers harming people would remove their connection with the Light, but, if the belief was spread, then it might have become the truth for those that followed that path.”

“And so it became self fulfilling?”

“Yeah, maybe. Either way, I think if you don’t mention that sort of thing to the next generation of healers should remove that problem. Something to talk with Meniel at the Healers Hall. Well, none of that matters if the Healing Hall keeps getting so few trainees anyway.”

“You think we have too few healers?” The man with twitchy eyebrows asked me, and I nodded.

“I know we do. I work in the Healing Hall. Sure most of the time its quiet, but more healers can only be a good for all Quel’dorei. I mean, imagine what it would be like if with every Ranger group, or Spellbreaker, or just the guard patrolling around the city you have someone that can cast Inner Fire, and heal? That alone would remove a lot of danger to our people.”

The small crowd including Grunkle were all looking at me listening, and so I didn’t stop.

“I mean, how is it that healing magic is one of the least explored paths in our society? The Light is a path to many abilities that Arcane only can barely touch on without millenia of study. Major wounds that can only be healed with the light, and we have so few healers! It was a wandering healer that first taught me some Light magic when I was small, and we did have a Healer in our village, but most healers only know one or two spells, and… Why isn’t everyone trying to learn at least a little Magic from the Light?”

“A wise question.” The voice wasn’t from someone in front of me, but behind. I turned, and swallowed.

The king. Anasterian Sunstrider.

“Uhhh.”

“Your Majesty.” Grunkle greeted, with a bow, and I glanced over to copy his word and gesture.

“Please be at ease. This entire meeting is in honor of you and those like you, and none require your subservience, not after the effort you put in to save myself, and our people.”

“Thank you?”

He seemed to smirk at my awkward reply and nodded. “I too wish we had more healers in Silvermoon. Those that study the path of the Light instead of the Arcane are too few. Especially now since you’ve shown us how useful such magics are.” He spoke casually, but his voice carried. “Perhaps it is time to create a further incentive to study and explore such a useful magic?”

“A wise idea, your grace.” A sycophant said standing beside the king, the Magister, as that was what he definitely was, stood in flashy robes with a staff that looked powerful.

Whether it was actually any good or not, I wasn’t sure.

“Indeed. Head Healer Meniel is here, is she not?” He called out, and with a few whispers eventually Meniel did arrive to my surprise.

“Your Majesty.” She offered a bow and the King smiled.

“Alah’Dorah, Current apprentice of Magistrix El’Tela, has spoken of furthering the use of the Light in Silvermoon. You are the highest specialist in the city are you not?”

“Only through experience your Majesty, Alah’Dorah, I believe has easily moved beyond what I was capable of. She is the teacher recently.”

“Indeed, a wise woman to be able to admit that so freely, what are your thoughts to expanding the use of Light magic among our people?”

“I have struggled with just that for centuries, your grace. There are religious elements to using the magic that most find unsatisfying.” She explained and he nodded.

“And yet we have healers, and we have Alah’Dorah. I will institute programs to increase the amount of healers. I would like you to be involved in deciding how to best do that.”

“Of course your Grace!” Meniel bowed low and the King just smiled looking around the crowd which all seemed pleased with his decision.

“And who will manage these programs? Who will have the time? The already over-worked healers? Or were you expecting one of your little sniveling sycophants to do it? I’d pay to see that.” The voice caused the entire room to go silent. Even I felt a tingle down my spine.

Oh no.

“Magistrix Arkhana’Shola, are we in the classroom to learn today?”

“Boy, if there is anything I taught you that should have gone through that thick skull it's that we are always in the classroom. Have you learned it yet?” Grandma demanded as she walked slowly over, the crowd quickly making room for her as she walked up to the King and looked down her nose at him.

And she had a good half a foot on the rather tall man to start with.

“Learned what, Magistrix?” He asked, although to my surprise it was more amused than angry at her tone.

“Evocation. The spell was submitted to the Hall of Theory, yet I hear nothing of the King using it.”

“I have had a war to fight, and a siege to deal with Magistrix. I haven’t had the time.”

“Disappointing as always, so quick to make excuses on what you can’t do, instead of just doing what you should. Unable to learn the ability, and no time for the spell. How exactly did you learn so little from me?”

I felt my eyes bulging as I tried my best not to sputter or even laugh cause holy shit Grandma was roasting the king and he was finally looking irritated.

“I’ll need to finish these Trolls soon if only to have you far away from me once again.” He grumbled quietly, although many around him heard it all.

Grandma just scoffed. “If you want this Light Magic training to work, don’t add one of your sycophants to it boy. You’ll need to do this right. Let the Healing Hall do it properly, none of the interference from clawing schemers to once again ruin a good idea.” She whispered back at him just as quietly.

The king snorted. “Still taking me to task teacher?”

“If I must.” She snarked back, and the King's irritation turned into a familiar looking smile.

“I will heed your wisdom Magistrix, as always.” He turned to me. “After all, it is your newest apprentice that is the cause of this conversation at all, is it not?”

“Indeed, finally one with a brain. I’d given up hope.” She said, and I was definitely a little red at the compliment.

Grandma! That’s the king! You’re embarrassing me!

“To think it would be your newest apprentice that would save the day.” He said winking at me, and I just squirmed a bit at the attention. What was I supposed to say to the king without insulting him!?

“She listened better than you ever did.” Grandma mentioned off hand, and he laughed.

“I can’t imagine getting a Prince to listen is the easiest of tasks, no. We will talk more, but I believe it is time for the main event of this assembly.” He commented, and walked away through the crowd, as a horn blew quietly a few moments later, the soft music stopping just beforehand.

The King walked without pause back up to the little platform the rest of the Royal Family had either been waiting or returned to, and then he spoke.

“People of Silvermoon. My Magisters and more important for today, my brave soldiers. I have brought you one and all. Those that charged into battle against our foe, those that risked themselves without duty, to celebrate you. Each of you will be rewarded the Sunburst Medal. Let none from this day until your last ever call you anything but patriots, of the Quel’dorei!” His voice echoed out over the floor and many clapped.

But not everyone. Some of the Magisters simply looked bored or were even rolling their eyes at the congratulations.

“Of course some went farther beyond that.” He spoke again, cutting off the clapping and earning a wide silence as many looked surprised.

“Three Meritorious Deeds were committed in my sight. Valar Im’Riel! Soldier of the Gate! He will receive this deed posthumously. His death holding back the tide of Trolls saved the lives of fourteen fellows that were injured and given time to retreat. His family the Im'Riel, will be known to us for eternity.”

The room was silent as some heads bowed and others rolled their eyes.

“The next is rewarded to Magister Windflower, whose magical might shattered the Trolls thrice, killing more than a score of the Trolls with each blast.”

There was more enthusiastic clapping this time I noticed, even the previously dour Magisters that had done nothing but scowl clapped, as a well dressed Magister stepped forward and bowed to the king.

That was Windflower then?

I don’t really remember any massive magic blasts, maybe he did them before I went out?

Either way, the King swiftly moved on, and Grandma was there, a cool hand placed on my shoulder, giving me the hint I needed to know what was coming.

“And the final. Alah’Dorah, Arkhana Shola. Healer, and daughter of the Arkhana’Shola. Apprentice to Magistrix El’Tela, and one who despite her youth charged into the fray. Using magics of her own discovery to energize the weary soldiers! Alah’Dorah. I reward you a Meritorious Deed. Of course, this would have more impact if this was your first would it not? For one so young to have done so much you forge a legacy others will compare themselves to. Know that my eye is on you. The Convocation knows your name. All of Silvermoon will look forward to your future.”

Despite the quiet for a moment, I received a full applause like Windflower, and then the King turned away.

“Let us take a moment to remember those that are not with us, the fault of the enemy at our gates. Let us ignite the rage in our hearts against these beasts, and show them what the might of the Quel’dorei means!” He called out, and once more clapping and approval.

Whether real or not.

How many of the Magisters in this room had even thrown a Fireball, or used any spell against the Trolls?

My head said probably a good amount, but my heart was a little angry and didn’t give them that much credit.

The High Elves were the greatest mages in the world currently. We had Trolls at our gates that couldn’t cast magic, and yet they pressed us entirely.

If every mage in Silvermoon stood and fought back, even a million Trolls wouldn’t be enough.

But that was asking for too much.

“You did well.” Grandma whispered in my ear and I just nodded as the King continued giving a little speech about wrath and fighting back.

But I was just too focused on noticing the disinterest by almost the entire room.

I closed my eyes and just exhaled.

The only path forward was to get stronger, and I knew how to do that. Grind, and farm.

I could grind skills, but farming meant Trolls.

“Grandma.” I whispered, and she leaned in to hear me. “I don’t think I’ll be satisfied with just training anymore.” I whispered to her, turning up to look into her face as her face shifted into a deeper frown as the time passed.

What could she really say to that?