//------------------------------// // 11. Three Years Later // Story: Sunset in Azeroth // by RIPoste //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer smiled confidently as she gestured at a door, which shattered into so many splinters as an invisible force smashed into it, leaving the way clear for her. With careful steps, she walked into the room before her, stopping only to conjure a purple arcane shield when a figure descended upon her, the maul in his hand bouncing off uselessly to the side. In response to the futile resistance, Sunset merely grinned as she pointed at the foe before her and muttered a spellword. A ball of frost magic burst forth from her finger and struck her opponent, a well-built middle-aged male with a black beard, who collapsed to the ground, his body bound in ice. “Curse you!” The man swore, “May the sea-mmph!” His speech cut short as a well-aimed kick knocked the man out cold. “Sea this, sea that,” Sunset muttered irritably, “don’t you pirates have any better insults to use?” Unoriginal responses aside, the current mission in Kul’Tiras that had been issued to her had been a cakewalk for both her, her supervisor and other volunteered companion. Still, considering that she had been doing most of the heavy lifting until now…  And to think that three years ago, she would throw up whenever she killed a gnoll and struggle to fight an ogre. Sunset Shimmer smiled as she flexed her fingers, seeing the little sparkles of frost dance about her digits. At one time, she would have balked at wasting such a small amount of magic at a meaningless display, but that was then, the Sunset Shimmer right now could summon a Water Elemental wherever she wished, call down a rain of fire without losing consciousness and can even teleport herself over large distances, something that she was not capable of as a Unicorn. Of course, this was mainly thanks to the strict training handed down to her by her master. Any time she had to rest were few and far between. Her time was divided between helping him with his research, carrying any issued missions out, or furthering her own abilities. Still, it was not as though she disliked such a life, after all, she was growing stronger. That was an absolute win in her books. Sunset smiled as she retrieved a crystal from within her robes and activated the spell within, a simple communication spell that lets the others know that she had resolved her side of things. The crystal pulsed, shining a bright blue before returning to its clear, transparent state. With the message sent. Sunset pocketed the crystal and left the room, leaving the unconscious pirate. The guards arriving later can deal with him, though for a moment, Sunset was tempted to finish him off. In the end, she decided to let him live, out of any kindness of her own heart. Unfortunately for him, it would probably buy him only a few more moments of life, considering piracy was often punished by death in Kul’Tiras. Still, it felt good to not kill someone, or at least not be directly responsible for their deaths today. Making her way out of the caverns that the unfortunate pirates had made their home, Sunset was greeted by the sight of an elderly mage conversing with a group of Kul’Tiran marines. The old balding mage was none other than the vaunted Archmage Amal’thazad, the leading pioneer in frost magic among all of the Kirin Tor, and widely rumored to be one of the Six, the ruling council among the Kirin Tor. Having seen his power firsthand, Sunset could easily believe it. “Ah, Apprentice Sunset.” The elderly mage smiled benignly, “I have called the guards in as soon as I have received your message.” “Yes, Archmage,” Sunset bowed, this one was one of the few magi that she did not mind showing proper respect to, “I have incapacitated the pirates,” she turned to the captain of the marines, the only man within the group wearing proper steel armor, “I left them bound in ice. You should hurry before it melts.” “Thank you, Lady Shimmer.” The captain bowed before turning to issue clipped orders to his men, leaving Sunset to wonder alone. Lady Shimmer, huh? Not complaining about it, but compared to her time in Equestria, she had found herself to be called that a lot more often. Though while she could not fault the knights of the Alliance referring to her in that manner  because of their chivalry, the Kul’Tirans actually call her that because of- “Oh, Sunset, you’re finished before me?” Sunset suppressed a wince as she turned to the source of the voice. “Glad to see you are done, Lady Proudmoore.” Jaina Proudmoore, now officially Archmagus Antonidas’ apprentice, walked down the stairs that led to the entrance of the Pirate’s base. Still, even after she had learned that Jaina was effectively royalty, Sunset still could not see any sign of royal dignity within her. “Please, Sunset. Jaina is fine.” No it is not. “Only in private.” Sunset smiled. Decorum must be maintained, afterall. She could still remember Jaina introducing her father to her for the first time, during a completely ordinary day in Dalaran (Magi do not tend to make a big fuss out of visiting ambassadors, be they kings or peasants). Sunset had been shocked, in fact, downright terrified when she had learned for the first time that Jaina was a princess of all things. She had assumed that, given the fact that as the Kirin Tor only ranks their own according to mage’s power and knowledge, that Jaina had been one of those who had forsaken their own ties with the outside world. It was a mistake that Sunset would not commit again. She had read up on the various kingdoms’ royal families ever since then. To her relief, there were no immortals sitting on any of the thrones, and none of them had even a shred of magical power in their veins. In fact, Jaina Proudmoore of Kul’Tiras was the first royal to display magical capabilities that were prominent enough to gain the Kirin Tor’s notice. “Is this about the talk that Father gave you?” Jaina scowled, “you can ignore that, don’t you know?” Sunset shook her head in response. That meeting had been very awkward, especially with how overly protective Lord Admiral Daelin Proudmoore had been of Jaina towards Sunset. It was not until Jaina picked up the underlying threats that her father had been hinting towards her companion that he stopped. Sunset presumed that Jaina had given him a stern talking to, considering how much warmer the man treated her during the duration of his stay in Dalaran. That was a meeting only nine months ago, and one which Sunset had no wish to experience again. Not only was she caught completely off guard, but she had discovered her lack of interest in the political affairs of the world had been a glaring weakness that she could not afford… “Apprentice Jaina.” Amal’Thazad spoke, saving Sunset from the conversation, “ It is good to see that you are well.” “Thank you, Lord Archmagus.” Jaina bowed, before straightening and giving her report,  “I have found the hostages and had teleported them to the barracks with the crystal you had given me. I thank you for helping my people.” “Always a pleasure, Jaina.” the Archmage chuckled, “now let us return to the city. Your father’s soldiers will not require our assistance any longer, and I would not want your mother to worry any more for you. I doubt even the Light can save me from her if I ever let you come to harm.” He smiled. Or Antonidas, and Kel’Thuzad too if you let something happen to me. Sunset thought, but she kept her mouth wisely shut and did not interrupt Amal’thazad. It was not wise to get on the bad side of a mage who was powerful enough that her master would have to call in favors merely to help watch over her. Of course, Sunset knew she was merely a tool for Kel’Thuzad to foster ties with the Amal’thazad, but there was no way that Sunset was going to get in the way of that. The elder magus, for his part, had turned away and began moving his hand in a circular motion in front of him. As the two apprentices watched, a thin white ring began forming in the space before the trio, before expanding to a size big enough for them to walk through. A flash of blue light burst forth from the ring, and faded away to reveal a city within the portal. Boralus, the capital city of Kul’Tiras. Amal’thazad was the first to enter the portal, followed shortly by Jaina. Sunset paused awhile, studying the portal for a few seconds before following suit. Portals always had been a point of interest for her, unfortunately, Kel’Thuzad had yet to teach her about them. As she walked through the portal, the view of the courtyard of Proudmoore keep came into sight. The castle was home to the family that shares its name, and was one of the most heavily fortified areas in the city and unlike what Sunset had expected of royalty, was extremely pragmatic, with not a sight of lavish or unnecessary decorations anywhere. “Jaina!” A feminine, yet strong voice echoed out around the courtyard. The trio turned in time to see a woman, dressed in traditional Kul’Tiran sailor’s wear and flanked by two knights clad in full plate armor, striding across the courtyard from the direction of the keep to meet them. “Mother.” “Lady Katherine,” Sunset and Amal’thazad bowed as Jaina walked over to Lady Katherine Proudmoore, mother of Jaina and ‘Queen’ of Kul’Tiras. “Please rise.” Lady Katherine smiled as she embraced her daughter. The scene brought a stab of pain to Sunset’s heart, but she suppressed her feelings nonetheless. After all, there was no use longing for something she would never have, for something she never had… “Lady Katherine, we have finished the task that you have asked us for.” Amal’thazad smiled, “the Irontide pirates in the outlook have been rounded up and the hostages they took, saved. I trust you would not complain if we are to take our leave now?” “Come now,” Lady Katherine said amicably, “surely you would not begrudge a mother some time with her daughter?” Sunset could see the emotions warring within the elderly Archmage’s eyes. Amal’thazad, being the kindly old mage he was (a rarity among magi), clearly did not mind leaving Jaina with her family, but his instructions in the briefing was clear, that he was to return immediately with the two apprentices in tow. “Very well,” Amal’thazad said. “I will inform Antonidas of that I have allowed to let Jaina stay with her family for a night. I trust you have no further problems with this accommodation?” “Thank you, Lord Amal’thazad.” Lady Katherine smiled. “Perhaps you would like to join us for dinner before you leave?” ‘Unfortunately, I cannot. I have an experiment that I had left on the boil. The concoction should be ready by tonight and I would be remissed if I was not there at the moment of its creation.” “I see,” Jaina’s mother frowned, “and how about you, Sunset? Would you be so kind as to join us?” Sunset Shimmer was surprised that the offer was extended to her, while she was Princess Celestia’s personal student, being extended an invitation to social gatherings were the norm. Here, however, as a relative nobody, she had gotten used to the fact that she would not be in the center of attention any more. An invitation, from royalty? That was something she had not expected… Oh. Of course, Jaina probably had been talking about her. Sunset sighed silently, she was an acquaintance of royalty… Not that that was a bad thing. However, she was under express orders from Master Kel’Thuzad to return immediately- “I will speak to you master as well, Apprentice Sunset.” Sunset turned to the elderly mage, and her surprise must have been written clearly on her face as he chuckled. “I think he will see my reasoning.” “Understood,” Sunset nodded. “Use your Hearthstones to return to your mentors’ offices tomorrow morning,” the Archmage instructed as he began tracing the symbols for a teleportation spell in the air. “I will now be taking my leave, your majesty.” With a final nod to Lady Katherine, Amal’thazad’s form shimmered before fading away, leaving Sunset alone with the mother and daughter of  Proudmoore line. “Sunset,” Jaina said, having already broken from her mother’s embrace. She walked over and took Sunset’s hands in her own, “why don’t you I show you around the keep?” “It will be my pleasure to accompany you, Lad-” She cut herself off at Jaina’s look, “I mean… I will be delighted, Jaina.” A small cough interrupted their conversation and the pair turned to see Lady Katherine Proudmoore standing there with a look of disapproval on her face, “You girls will not be doing anything of the sort now,” A stern look silenced Jaina’s protest before it even started. “The dinner is already prepared and it will be an insult to the cooks to eat their food after it has cooled.” Lady Katherine looked at Sunset. “I will have the servants prepare one of the guest quarters and draw a bath for you. Only after that then you can show your friend our home, is that understood, Jaina?” Not a friend. But Sunset wisely kept her mouth shut.  “Yes mother,” Jaina said. While she sounded like a child who had just been scolded, Sunset could see, from her angle, the smile that the princess of Kul’Tiras wore on her face. “Good,” Lady Katherine smiled, “now let’s leave before we do the cooks a disservice.” She turned and began walking towards the keep, flanked by her two guards. Jaina gave Sunset a small smile, before taking her hand in her own, and followed suit. Sunset offered no protest, merely trying to remember if there were any dining etiquette practiced by the royals here. She may or may not have read a book on that in Dalaran’s library during one of her binge reading. Still, it was just a simple dinner, it’s not like she’s going to be killed for eating with the wrong fork or anything. Kill me now. Those on the foremost words on Sunset’s mind. It had nothing to do with the dinner, in fact, that was the only part that was pleasant about this entire affair. A simple corn soup, served with bread and a plate of chicken sausages with salad and eggs on the side, complete with a glass of juice actually made quite a nice meal. No, it was not the decoration either. The trio of them were sitting in a quaint little room, one that has a fireplace, a round wooden table on which the food was set, and a simple hanging bell which one uses to call servants, not one of those huge dining halls that Sunset was used to seeing in Canterlot and other palaces. No, Sunset was weirded out by how awkward the dinner was. The entire affair was just so quiet that it didn’t feel normal. Instead of making conversation between themselves like Sunset would believe a mother and daughter to do so, Lady Katherine and Jaina Proudmoore seemed to be simply content to sit there and eat in silence. And it was not as if Sunset could tell if this was natural or unnatural, having absolutely zero idea about how the royal custom works here in Azeroth. So she kept quiet. “Sunset Shimmer,” And tried her best not to jump when the Lady of Kul’Tiras addressed her. “I have heard that you were a fellow apprentice to my Jaina? Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that magi are often trained alone?” “Your majesty-” “Please, call me Lady Katherine.” “Understood,” Sunset nodded, “Lady Katherine, we, that is, Jaina and I are still tutored by different mentors. We just happen to work together on multiple projects.” “I see,” Lady Katherine sounded almost disappointed, though Sunset might have imagined it. “Then, how did you came about to know my daughter?” “I heard that she and Master Antonidas were the first to find me…” Sunset ignored the look that Jaina gave her. “They said that they found me in a village three year ago, imprisoned by a rogue wizard.” “Yes,” Lady Katherine’s eyes softened. “I am glad that they found you, no child has to suffer as you did.” Except I didn’t. Sunset grimaced. The story of her being held against her will as a plaything of the wizard was apparently quite famous amongst the upper echelons of the Kirin Tor. While Sunset did nothing to dissuade the rumor as it had been extremely useful as a backstory, the fact that it was rumored that she had been raped was still not a pleasant thought, even if the rumor was fake. “Mother,” Jaina interrupted, “May I know where Tandred is?” “Out sailing with your father,” Katherine replied, then sighed, “I had told Daelin that it was too soon to bring him out, but you know how stubborn your father can get.” “It runs in the family, mother.” Jaina smirked, “Don’t worry, they will be fine.” “I know they will,” Katherine smiled. “But still, I can’t help but worry. Ever since the war, he’s changed.” Lady Katherine seemed to be lost in thought for the moment, looking far older than she was supposed to be. There was a sadness in her, a clear sorrow that just screamed to Sunset and for a moment Sunset was tempted to reach out to comfort her. But the moment passed, and Lady Katherine returned to her meal while the conversation was steered towards more mundane conversations about progress in studies and recent experiences. However, even as Sunset partook in their talks, she could not help but feel a sense of longing as she watched the mother and daughter interact with each other. Sunset could not help but remember the times when she could converse with Princess Celestia as the duo were doing so right now. “Sunset,” Jaina asked, causing Lady Katherine to stop mid sentence to look at her, “are you okay?” “What?” Sunset blinked, “is something wrong?” She quickly checked herself. Nothing, her robes were not stained by the food, there was nothing on her face, though her eyes do feel a bit wet… Realising it, Sunset quickly wiped her face with the hem of her sleeves. “It’s nothing.” She looked up and smiled, “something just got into my eye.” Jaina looked to say something, but was halted by her mother’s raised hand. Sunset then realised that the other was grabbing her hand that was closest to it and looked up to protest, only for the words to die in her mouth as Lady Katherine Proudmoore gave her a gentle and kindly smile. Sunset looked down to the hand again. It felt warm, and comforting. But the warmth was not from the person she wanted it most from. Nevertheless, she did not let go.