Chapter 13

Late for Dinner

Step by step, he ascended the ladder. After a few more feet, he finally reached the top. He poked his head up and through the hole, gasping as a gust of wind blew across his face. He crawled out of the hole, turning to look out across the ramparts. Here, on the edge of Stormwind and overlooking the moat, the view was breathtaking. With the wind tossing his hair about and the birds in song above, he felt one step closer to the heavens.

"You come up here a lot, don't you Fordragon?"

The voice was coming from a man sitting in a lounging chair close by. One of the man's arms, wrapped in bandages, was idly resting on a small table. Close by were two cups and a bottle of wine. Fordragon took a seat across from the man on a similar chair.

"Aye, that I do. Only you've got my chair," he replied jokingly.

"Well, I'd relinquish it to you, but I might break something in the process," said the other man.

"I see the fall hasn't broken your wit, Stefan," chuckled Fordragon. They laughed together.

Stefan reached over with his free hand, and poured two glasses. Fordragon accepted one silently, nodding and tipping his glass to Stefan. He downed the drink in a single gulp, and placed the empty glass onto the table.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" said Stefan after a moment.

"Heavenly, Stefan. There are many things beautiful in this world, but few that are as grand as this. I can think of few things, save good food, fine wine, and--"

"A woman."

"Hah! Well put my lad, but I was thinking along the lines of money. Wealth!"

Stefan was silent as he watched the liquor swirl about in his cup.

"No, Stefan, a woman is in an entirely different phenomenon. Some days, I feel such a pretty thing has a category of her own," started Fordragon, pouring himself another glass. "And others...Well, I feel she doesn't deserve one!"

"True, true, my lord. But it is for her faults that we live, is it not? Hoping that when you think you've lost her, or she's slipping away, that she'll come right back?"

Fordragon sloshed the wine around in his mouth before swallowing heartily.

"Stefan, finding the woman that you speak so passionately of is a feat some think impossible. But, if you were to be blessed with such a chance, I would damn you to hell for flubbing it up!"

They roared in laughter.

"Well Lord Fordragon, I think I am nearing that point. And I swear to you that the moment I am sure I have reached it, you shall be the first to know," said Stefan, catching his breath.

"You know you are always welcome here, Stefan. The King owes you a great debt, as do I," replied Fordragon, suddenly very serious.

"My deepest gratitude for allowing me to serve my King and my people. But back to the woman ordeal, I've just realized that it may not be so soon," said Stefan, trailing off.

"Why's that, lad?"

"Well, with my arm in such bad shape, I think I'm going to miss dinner."

Their warm laughter echoed off the ramparts of Stormwind.

---

The sprouts and herbs were coming along fine. Lorelein caught the scent of the spices she had added, which had mixed with the foods to become a fragrant odor that tickled her stomach. She turned away from the small firepit and checked on the beef she had put aside. It looked absolutely delicious. After such hard work, she began to feel the faint traces of long-awaited hunger creeping onto her. But she held it back. Stefan would be coming soon, and she didn't want to spoil it for him by eating the whole thing. By the smell, she found it entirely possible that she could.

There was a knock on the door. Her heart fluttered as she hurried over.

"Stefan, is that you?"

When she opened the door, she was surprised to find that it wasn't. Instead, a Draenei stood at her doorstep, wrapped in dark robes. He lifted a hood from over his face, revealing a pair of brilliant, glowing eyes.

"I'm sorry, did I startle you?"

"Oh, no! I was expecting someone else, is all. What can I do for you?"

"My name is Rok'roham Salderis. Do I have the pleasure of speaking to Lorelein Eryson?"

"Perhaps," she said, eyeing him suspiciously. "What's your business?"

"I come with news about Stefan Dreis. He said that Lorelein would want to know."

She paled.

"Is Stefan hurt? Is he ok? What happened?"

"Stefan is fine! Not to worry. There have been some developments. May I come in? It would be better to talk of this in private."