“…and that is my story. Do you understand?”
They were sitting at a small table, hewn from a complete tree stump, the remains of a meager but satisfying meal spread out between them. Crystals of a reddish-orange hue glowed in a few places about the room, which was a hollowed cave of sorts. Not cramped by any means, but certainly neither could it be called grand.
Loramus had led Tirasa into a secret door within the small passage that existed upon his island. Down a narrow channel they had gone, heading back in a westerly direction. Eventually this opened up into a series of rooms, once obviously part of the Kaldorei ruins on the surface, which the Demon Hunter had made into his living quarters. It was comfortable, but very dark. However, Tirasa found the underground warm spring delightful. That is, until Loramus’ felhounds had decided to join her.
She sat at the table enfolded into a dark red silken robe that he had given her, open down the front but tied about the waist with a wide sash. Loramus himself had carefully put aside his curved swords and removed the meager armor about his upper body, but wore the same kilt, as he had hastily declined her offer of a shared bath.
He nodded slightly in response to her question, his chin resting upon his steepled fingers, his elbows resting on the table before him. “I do have a theory. You said that you were present when Illidan consumed the Skull of Gul’dan. And that you should have died on Nordrassil beside your mate at the hands of Archimonde.”
“Yes, but neither of those events happened in this time! They do not affect this world, so how am I affected by them if I am here now?” Tirasa groaned. She’d hoped that Loramus, at least, might be able to help her with this ennui she’d assumed lately. Even her closest lieutenants, the ones who knew her story, had commented about the changes they’d witnessed in her. She’d been short of temper, driven to fits of emotionality, and also rather maudlin. “And besides,” she fretted, “how do I know those things even happened at all? For all I know, Nozdormu could have placed these memories in my mind, or both of those other times could have been constructs.” She rubbed her temples.
“No. I am quite sure that what you remember actually happened… sometime, somewhere. Only the Timeless One understands it completely, no doubt.”
She leaned forward, smirking.
“Why, you ask. Because, the scent of those demonic powers, so to speak, is still quite strong upon you. And, I believe, the Burning Legion is attempting to draw your consciousness back through it.”
Frowning, Tirasa crossed her arms over her chest. “That is disgusting. However, I have no reason to disbelieve you.” She bowed her head. “Can you sever these ties, so to speak, and, if so, how do you propose to do it?”
“You are so sure? You have made up your mind? Perhaps if I tell you that there is a danger…”
“No. Do it. What do you need?”
Loramus exhaled sharply at her apparent lack of concern for her safety. “Some of your blood will help me to determine what course of action to take.”
“Hmm… any blood?”
He tilted his head in confusion.
Coloring slightly, Tirasa continued, clearing her throat. “My cycle is upon me.”
Loramus nodded and smiled. “Very good. The blood of your female center is the most powerful.”
She shook her head. “What? You’re telling me that the blood from a woman’s sexual organs is more powerful than the blood that pumps through her heart? You must surely be mistaken.”
Now it was Loramus’ turn to chuckle. “If we were arguing philosophy, I would certainly agree with your point of view. However, my powers have taught me much that holds true in practice, rather than simple theory. The female holds the power of the creation of life. That is one of the most powerful energies in the universe. Surely you cannot deny that.”
Tirasa snorted. “I think you’re forgetting your biology, Loramus. It takes both male and female to create life.”
“Ah, but the spark of creation quickly dies without the lifeblood of the female to nurture it until birth, yes? Now, could you…” He stood and began to move toward another room. “Bring it to me and I will perform the ritual. The cloth will do.”
Posted by Tirasa at 10:47 AM 23 May 2005