Thursday, June 24, 2010

Chapter Five: A Dwarf Called Feisty

There didn't seem to be a gathering place such as the one in Darnassus, where everyone could sit of an evening, so I went upstairs to sleep, planning to rise early and begin my inquiries. The common sleeping room was practically empty, although there seemed to be a lot of coming and going--mostly people taking boats to various ports or the quicker but less thrifty hippogryph flights. One of the four beds in my room was occupied by what appeared to be a dwarf, judging from the size of the lump that was lying in the bed. The coverlet was drawn so tight around this little one that all you could see was the top of a blond head with one long braid falling across a pillow. There was no sign of gender but the snoring and snarling was so loud that it kept me awake for much longer than I wanted to be. My last thought as I finally drifted into slumber was, "This has to be a male for no female could make such a sound." Once again, I was proven wrong.

In the morning, much later than I had expected or indeed had wanted, I wakened to find an attractive and very female dwarf lacing up leggings and preparing to put on her boots.

"Hello!" I said cautiously, noticing that she had a very hefty looking mace as well as a silver-studded dagger in her belt.

"Top of the mornin' to ya," she replied. A second braid had appeared on the wide head and her stubby nose crinkled easily with laughter. "Never seen an elf sleeping when the sun had risen so high in the sky."

"Never had a dwarf snorting in my dreams all night," I thought in retort, but was too polite to say it.

She struck a stubby hand to her heart and saluted. "For the Alliance!" she said.

"For Kalimdor--Land of Eternal Starlight," I countered in the traditional way.

"And for Azeroth,"she completed the ritual. "Birthplace of all races."

We grinned at each other for a moment, then I too began to pull on my boots. It was going to be a long day searching for someone to open that box.

"What brings an elf so far out of Darnassus, might I ask?"the dwarf said conversationally.

"Not so far," I shot back, not eager to share secrets with a stranger. And then, not wishing to appear churlish I added, "I am from Aldrassil, under the One Tree, Teldrassil. That is where I call home."

"Ahhhh. A country girl," laughed the dwarf with a twinkle in her eye. "I am from Ironforge myself. Born and raised within the walls by the Great Forge. Feistyone is my name but my friends just call me Feisty. Kind of a nickname."

"Shalimara, Sister of Elune, Hunter of the Forest and Keeper of the Secrets of the Stars." I said impressively.

"Geesh, that's quite a handle." Feisty told me. "Okay if I just call you Shali for short?"

Shali, I knew, was the part of my name that meant purple flower. It was mara that meant bitter. It pleased me that I might be perceived as pleasant rather than sombre to the dwarf, so I nodded my acquiescence. I didn't know it then, but I was to become Shali throughout the rest of my days.

"So Shali, what have you got planned this fine day? Fancy a little fishing perhaps, or a quick run into Astranaar to see the sights? The Forest of Ashenvale is beautiful this time of year. Plenty of trees for an elf such as yourself to enjoy."

"My visit is not one for pleasure," I told her. "I have business here in Auberdine. And you?"

"I am hoping to drum up a little business myself," she admitted. "I am a miner, and there are a few nice deposits of copper and tin around these parts. I have also heard that there is a lost city completely enveloped in water that I would like to have a look at. They say that there are many treasures as yet to be found in there, what they call the Blackfathoms Deep." She winked at me. "We dwarfs like our treasures, you've probably heard."

I laughed at her admission for yes, I had heard that the race of dwarfs were very partial to shiny baubles and coins. Although I had never seen the great smelting furnaces for myself, the tales of the miners of Ironforge in the Eastern Kingdoms had made their way to the quiet lands of Teldrassil and to a little night elf girl-child.

"I'll be wanting my breakfast," Feisty told me, eyeing my pack. "Don't suppose you would care to join me in a bite? The Fish Eye has some nice fare. Fills your belly any ways."

"Alright," I said, as I finished the last lace on my boot. "I am a bit hungry."

In companionable silence, Feisty led me into the dining area of the Inn and we found a chair overlooking the pier. She was right about the food--there was a nice strider egg omelet and delicious crab pancakes on the menu. I was quite full and ready to be off in half an hour's time, but Feisty seemed inclined to linger. Finally I tried to make a gracious exit.

"Will you be back at the Inn tonight?" I asked.

"Perhaps," was her cryptic reply.

"I must be getting on with my work. Thank you for a pleasurable morning." I started back towards our room to retrieve my few belongings but Feisty had other ideas. Grabbing me by the arm she pulled me back down in my chair.

"What is it you got hidden there, Night Elf?" She questioned, eyeing the lump under my jerkin expectantly.

"I don't understand." I replied.

"I have never known a Night Elf to tell lies," Feisty remonstrated. "I know you got something hidden under your shirt. I know that it's something mighty important, the way you've been hanging onto it all night, muttering in your dreams."

I was startled. I didn't know that I had spoken in my sleep. What had I said that aroused the suspicions of the dwarf? I countered with, "It is a box. A box that belonged to my parents. They were lost in the Great Sundering. It is all that I have left of them." It was the truth, as far as I wanted to reveal.

"Let me see it," Feisty demanded.

"No. I have nothing else. There isn't any money if that is what you're after. It is only a rusty old box."

"Shali, Hunter, you foolish one." the dwarf shook her head dismissively. "You speak the truth, I feel that, but only part of the truth. I don't want to rob you. I want to see if I can help."

"How could a dwarf help me?"

She laughed openly, "Well," she admitted, "Unlike the Night Elves, the dwarfs are not always known for their integrity. While you slept last night, you said several times, 'I can't get it open.' and 'where am I going to find a lock pick'. Shali, I am not only dwarven, I am of the class of people known as a rogue. I can help you pick that lock! I am quite skilled at lock picking." And with that she pulled a lock picking kit from her backpack and looked at me questioningly. "Will you trust me?"

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