Crystal poured the oats for the chickens to eat and looked up at the sky.

Ugh looks like rain

She walked into the cottage that she and her brother shared since their parents were killed in the war. A portal opens and Dylan comes through.

Hello there!

Hey, how was training today?

He stuffed a piece of bread in his mouth.

I learned how to conjure food, so now we don’t have to keep the farm.

She rolled her eyes. Ok, what type of food then?

He took another piece of bread out of his pocket. Uh – this?

Oh, so now we’ll just survive on bread alone?

Well bread and water.

She shook her head.

You know sis, you should pick a class, it’s fun.

I’m fine being a normal person. Leave all that stuff for someone else.

Well I think you should, you’ll make some money, see the world-

And get yourself killed, yeah I’m fine right here.

Silence.

I’m going to be traveling more.

Okay.

I won’t be around much.

I know.

Do you wanna come?

Nope.

He sighed. Okay, I just stopped by. I gotta get going.

You only been here for a minute-

To say see ya later sis. He smiled and kissed her on her cheek.

See ya later- write will ya!

He laughed. I’ll try.

Several months go by. A letter here and there.

At the home front the growing number of bandits were becoming an issue but she knew how to defend herself. They would often try to imitate her but she would throw firecrackers at them.

She looked inside her box to see how many firecrackers she had left- not many.

Damn. Have to go to the Inn I guess.

She grabbed her backpack and headed out.

She stayed mostly on the main road, going off it was asking for trouble, with all the wildlife; like wolves, bears and such. Never mind the bandits grouping together in various spots for who knows what.

She stopped in her tracks. There was a faint scream up ahead.

Good grief- was it bandits? No, they wouldn’t dare. She creped up closer, and grasp! The Horde!

It had to be about forty of them.

I guess they were heading towards Stormwind.

She turned back and quietly ran in the opposite direction. An arrow just missed her. Something in Orcish was said. She didn’t dare look back and continued running.

She couldn’t go back to her cottage for now. Maybe they would follow her? She doubted it. She wasn’t anyone important, but it was known that the horde are brutal animals who love to kill.

She ran to the river bank and luckily someone had killed the various wild animals around to make a clear escape into the water and jumped in.

The screams finally stopped and all was quiet now. She rose to the top and looked around. Coast looked clear.

She went back to her home. The smell of fire stopped her.

No!

She saw a bandit running from her house.

Hey!

She chased him but lost sight of him and ran into a pack of wolves. She was able to kill them and headed towards Stormwind.

Some guards laid face down succumbing to their grisly end. She was careful not to be seen. In case there were a few Horde hanging around. She snuck into one of the shops.

You best be leaving Horde scum!

Hang on, I’m human!

Oh, girl you gave me a scare. Did you see any of “them” out there?

No, I think they finished.

As long as they didn’t reach the king!

I hope not.

The women stared at each other awkwardly for a beat.

I’m Laura.

Crystal.

What brings you here?

Bandits. They just destroyed my home. I need a place to stay.

Oh dear! Damn bandits sinking to the level of the horde. Well you’re welcome to stay here if you want.

That’s kind of you. I just need to let my brother know where I am. Do you know where to reach the mages?

No, but maybe someone in the mage quarter can?

Thanks.

She hurried over to the mage quarter. Every mage she spoke to couldn’t tell her how to contact her brother or where he was. The last letter she had received was months ago.

You looking for mages?

Yeah, do you know where some of them went?

Dalaran.

How do I get there?

I don’t know, I just heard rumors.

She sighed. Thanks anyway.

She started walking back to Laura’s shop.

Hey, you got any food?

She looked at the small child and looked into her bag. She handed him a couple of pieces of bread.

Thank you ma’am!

She stopped by a bridge. Someone has to know something! She headed back to the mage quarter.

Can anyone send me to Dalaran, I’ll pay you!

Crystal?

She turned around to see a gnome staring back at her.

Yes?

You’re Dylan sister right?

Yeah…

Oh, he’s in Dalaran- well last week he was.

Could you take me to him?

Ah yes and you said you’ll pay?

Of course.

Money first please.

Half here, half after we get there.

The gnome sighed. Okay. Off to adventures!