**note [text] in the past* The young paladin sat, cross-legged on the floor of her room in front of a small battered box. The old gem covered box contained what few items she had left of her past; the things she held close to her heart; a few faded photographs of her family, her journal, and a ring that once belonged to her older sister. The box itself use to be her mother's. Her fingers gently traced the edges of the golden item. Holding her breath as she opened the box, the hinges creaked from age and the lack of use. It had been such a long time since she revisited the memories held within. Saephere picked up the small notebook bound in leather and covered in dust. She randomly flipped through the pages of parchment. The book opened to a page that was smudged with tear stains. Upon further examination, the normally delicate and beautiful writing was traded in for chaotic scribbles. Journal, Why must they go why must they leave me and Seri all alone all by ourselves! *the writing here was illegible from the tears* now with mom and dad's friends until they figure out what to do with us. Mom and dad are gone. dead why would they do this to us? I don't understand. *Illegible from tears* fire. The flames were so big! I don't want to be left alone. Don't want to be alone.! Newly fallen tears mingled with the past smudges on the parchment. Saephere wiped her eyes and forced back the tears that threatened to join the others dancing on her cheek. With a sigh she flipped a few pages further into the notebook. Hello journal, Mom and dad's friend's can't look after us. Seri and I are going to the Silvermoon Orphanage tomorrow. I'm scared but Seri said it we be okay. She promised she will take care of me. They took us back to the house to get our belongings...there wasn't much left..it was a mess of ash and burnt rubble. I hardly recognized the ruin that use to be our home. I did find a few pictures and mom's jewelbox buried in the ash. I miss them so much. Why did they have to leave us? Dear Journal, Seri has been acting kinda strange lately. She finally talked to me today. She says she is being sent away. Something about a big war and she was just old enough to fight. Saephere's head tilted back. Her short blonde locks falling behind her head. "I remember that day" her soft voice barely audible. Her thoughts raced back to that day and time. [The sun shone through the window at the far end of the room. Serixie sat on the wooden bench next to the window, staring out onto the streets of Silvermoon. Staring, but not really seeing anything. Saephere walked quietly over to her sister. She wrapped her arms around Serixie's shoulders, partially leaning on her, partially hugging her. "Seri, what's wrong? You've been so quiet and distant lately." Serixie swallowed hard not breaking her gaze out the window. "I have to leave Saeph…They.." Serixie licked her lips before she continued, "They are sending me away to fight. There is a war..." "I want to go with you! I will go and fight too!" Saephere broke in "NO!" Serixie's voice boomed through the empty room. Saephere jumped. "You are too young. You cannot come. I do not want you to get hurt." "But, I don't want YOU to get hurt" Saephere's voice cracked. Serixie looked down at her hands. She was scared. She did not know how to fight, but she had to be strong, for Saephere. She sat straight up, squaring her shoulders she faced her baby sister. "Saephere, I will be okay. I will," Serixie began removing the small golden band from her finger "come back for you." She took the ring off and placed it in Saephere's hand. "I will return for you my sister. I love you." The sisters embraced each other tightly. Neither wanting to let go. Neither wanting time to move on.] The memory faded into the distance. Saephere looked back down at the book in her lap. She flipped onward. Deeper into the book, into the memories of her past. Dear Journal, It has been a few years since Serixie left. I haven't heard anything from her in a while. She always writes me. Why would she stop now? I miss her so much and I'm getting very worried. I had a meeting with the Orphan Matron today. She said that my time has come. I am old enough to leave the orphanage... [The office was brightly lit, full of books and paperwork. The Orphan Matron dipped her quill in ink and placed it to the parchment, "Saephere, we have enrolled you in the Blood Knight program." Her hands diligently worked, flolding the note, placing it into a small envelope and sealing it with wax and her crest. She handed the envelope to the small blood elf standing before her. "Me? A Blood Knight?!" Saephere's eyes were wide; trying to picture herself clad in plate heading into a fight. "You will make a fine Blood Knight, Saephere. There are a few paths to choose from. You can take the one of a Holy Blood Knight to heal the wounded in battle, the path of the Blood Knight of Protection to protect our people and our allies in battle, and there is the Retribution Blood Knight to bring the vengeance of our people to our enemies in battle." Saephere blinked at the envelope in her hand. She did not like nor want to fight. She understood that sometimes it was a necessity even though it was not her favorite way to resolve a problem. She nodded at the Orphan Matron, "Thank you, Ma'am." I will get my belongings right away.] Dear Journal, I met a Ranger in Silvermoon tonight. She noticed me sitting by the fountain; staring off into space. She took me in and gave me a place to stay. A smile etched it's way across Saephere's lips. Her fingertips tracing the word "Ranger". Kieranna. My dear friend and guardian. [The new Blood Knight sat on the ledge of the fountain. The moon was high. Shining brightly on the few inhabitants still walking the streets of Silvermoon. Saephere's hand glided across the water leaving riples in it's wake. "Bal'a dash young paladin!" Saephere turned around on her perch to see a red headed ranger standing before her. Her pet, a beatiful white cat with black stripes sat patiently beside her. Saephere nodded at the stranger. The ranger held out her hand, "I am Kieranna; you can call me Kier. This is Shere'Khan. Don't worry, he does not bite. Unless I command him to," Kieranna winked. Saephere shook her hand, "Saephere" "You are out late. Are you a night owl like me?" Kieranna inquired sitting next to Saephere on the fountain ledge." "Um..no..not really." Confused, Kieranna tilted her head to the side, "Why are you out so late then?" A sigh escaped the new paladin, "I" She looked way from the hunter, "I have no where to go. They just released me from the orphanage a few days ago. My family and my family home are gone." The red head blinked at her, "You….have…nowhere…to stay?!" Saephere nodded slowly, her eyes falling to her hands resting on her lap. Kieranna smiled, "Why don't you come stay with me? I have an extra room you can have at my place." She chuckled, "That is if you do not mind sharing a house with a few large cats." Saephere's head snapped up, "You would let me stay with you?" "Why not? I have an extra room and you need a place to stay. Do not worry about paying for room and board just yet. Just worry about adjusting. Then we can talk about some kinda of arrangement." The hunter grinned again "Thank you so much!" Saephere threw her arms around the hunter. Kieranna slightly stunned, hesitated for a few moments before wrapping her arms around Saephere, "No worries." Kieranna stood up, "I have 2 homes actually! One in Silvermoon and one in Shattrath. You can stay in the Silvermoon home until you are old enough to venture into Outland. Come! My home is this way! I hope you like talbuk steak, because I'm starving!" The hunter pranced ahead. Saephere hesitated, biting her lip. "What's wrong?" Kieranna stopped and headed back to her new friend. "I..don't eat meat. I never really liked the taste of it," she admitted. Kieranna burst into a fit of laughter. She put her arm around the young paladin, I guess we will just have to find some kind of rabbit food for you. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be vegetarian!" The huntress smiled again, "Keep your head up. I will look after you as long as you need it. Just relax and discover who you are in this world."] Dear Journal, Training is giong well and Kieranna has been so great to me! She has such a beautiful home and her pets are surprisingly very well behaved. I am trying my best to learn everything I possibly can in training. I know it is important to learn and chose the right path for me. I know I definitely do not want to be Retribution. That is…just not me. Honestly, I think Protection would be the best fit. I want to be able to protect my friends and family….if even have any left. I'm so scared that I have lost Seri too. I haven't heard anything from here in such a long time. I miss her so much. I'm so scared that I have lost her too. She is the only family I have left. I really hope she writes soon. Saephere turned a few pages further into her journal. A wrinkled piece of partchement fell out and onto her lap. She stared at the parchment as if it were going to turn into a living thing and bite her hand off. Unfolding the parchment she placed it flat on her journal. Bal'a dash Saephere Dawnfeather, We regret to inform you that your sister, Serixie Dawnfeather has fallen in battle. Sincerely, The Regent General of Silvermoon [saephere lay curled up on her bed in the darkened room. She had drawn the curtains over the window sending the room into pure blackness. Uncontrollable sobs escaped the young paladin, the letter about her sister clutched tightly in her hand. A soft knock broke the silence that engulfed the room. Saephere did not budge from her position on the bed. The door cracked open slightly, allowing the light from the house to filter in. Kieranna pushed a small tray of food and tea into the room. She knew Saephere would not be hungry now, but hopefully she would eat something a little later. Kieranna closed the door once again plunging Saephere's room in darkness and silence save for the ragged breathing coming from Saephere.] Saephere folded the letter and placed it back into the journal. No longer wishing to visit that time in her life, she skipped several pages in the journal and found an entry more towards the back of the book. Dear Journal, They have kept me soooo busy in Outland! There is so much to do, so much to learn here. I have visited Hellfire Peninsula and Zangermarsh so far. I have also heard stories about a land to the North. A land covered in ice and infested with undead. Kieranna told me I need to take all of the training that outland can offer me to be ready for that land…ready for Northrend. Dear Journal, I had the strangest dream last night. It took me a while to figure out who's voice it was, but it was hers. I thought she was dead. I got the note that she was dead. Could she be alive? Her voice sounded very different. Hollow and metallic almost…but I KNOW it was her. I know it was her voice! I just wish I knew what was going on. Was it just my mind playing tricks on me because I miss her so much? Or was it something else…. ["You have grown strong young one" A distant voice caressed the inner reaches of Saephere's consciousness. "Last time, my eyes fell upon you, we were in the orphanage." Saephere's breath quickened as she tossed and turned in her bed. "Soon we will be together again". The voice sounded so familiar yet so....unfamiliar. "The time will come soon enough young one...together again.....at last." The voice fadded into the distance. Saephere bolted into a sitting position, her ears listening for traces of movement in her room. Beads of sweat had formed and clung to her brow. "Saephere? Are you ok?" A comforting voice came from just beyond the curtain. A cool breeze met Saephere as the curtains were pulled aside, revealing a strong slim figure standing above her. Kieranna knelt down beside Saephere's bed. "Are you ok? You were causing quite a commotion in your sleep." she said as she placed her hand on Saephere's head. "It' was just a dream. I am ok Kier." Kieranna did not look convinced. A soft sigh escaped the redhead's lips. "Really, I am ok." Saephere forced a smile to appear. Kieranna's emerald orbs traced Saephere's face, searching for answers that may be etched in. Silence blanketed the room as the two sat staring at each other. "I'm here if you need me young one." Kieranna whispered into the night. She grasped Saephere's hands for a brief moment before taking her leave back to her own room. Saephere made her way to her bedroom window overlooking the streets of Silvermoon. Saephere watched as the night owls roamed around the city going about their business. Her thoughts racing back to the dream and back to the conversation with Kieranna. It was a dream...wasn't it?] Dear Journal, I feel like I am going crazy! I could have sworn I saw Seri! She looked different though. She was very pale and her hair was black instead of blonde. It was the same style as mine though, same style we always had. Part of me wants to believe that Seri has come back to me….but how can I believe that when I got the letter! "How indeed?" Saephere asked herself. Letting out a sigh she closed her journal. Seconds dragged on, Saephere staring at the small book in her hands. After what seemed like an eternity, Saephere placed the journal back into the jewelbox and stowed it safely under the bed. She spared one last glance at the box before she grabbed her travelers pack and headed for the door. Her hand clasped around the cool metal of the door knob of the front door. She pulled the door open to come face to face with a raven haired blood elf, fist in the air ready to knock on said door that was just opened. Shock etched it's way across Saephere's face, her heat stopped mid beat. The raven heard girls smiled as warmly as she could with her cold blueish grey skin ton. Serixie's metallic voice whispered, "Hello, Saeph. I'm home."
