“Clever,” Magister Rommath commented as he squinted at the rune which Sunset had woven in front of him. The two were standing in the magister’s room at the top of one of Silvermoon’s many towers. It was a beautiful place, with a balcony that allowed for proper star-gazing. Of course, Sunset had no eyes for it at the moment, her concentration sole focused on the Archmage’s comments. “Combining the words for shielding and restraint into one so as to ensure the trap would ensnare any trespasser and protect the ward itself from being destroyed.” He smiled as he inspected the rune of power with a keen eye. “Most impressive, Apprentice Shimmer, it would seem that I have to concur with Archmagus Modera in your research capabilities.”
Sunset swelled with pride as she took in the Magister’s praise. Rommath was one of the more prestigious magi within the High elven circle, and even held the rank of archmage in the Kirin Tor, but had been staying in Quel’thalas of late, serving as one of Modera’s contacts in the city. Regardless, there were rumors that he himself might be next in line to become the next Grand Magister of Quel’thalas. Of course, that would not be the case for some time, seeing as the current Grand Magister had only been recently appointed, by Quel’dorei standards, which was some twenty years ago. So unless Grand Magister Belo’vir screwed up his job, he would not be leaving his seat for quite some time.
Nevertheless, Rommath was still a great contact to establish a connection with, especially since he had already held enough prestige on his own. As such, Sunset had nothing but the utmost gratitude for Archmage Modera for seeing fit to introduce her to the elven mage.
Of course, it would still fall down to Sunset to ensure that she could impress the Magister enough that he would even bother to remember her name.
So far, the endeavour was working. The two had been discussing runes for the past few days and while Sunset had learned a lot, the meat of the issue was the fact that she could tell that Rommath was indeed quite pleased with the fact that she was not only an eager student, but also a quick learner.
Well, she was Princess Celestia’s personal student, so she had to have at least that much going for her. Still, it felt good that there were so many over here who were much more appreciative of her eagerness to learn than her aforementioned mentor.
“Mmmmh, but mixing two runes is easy enough for one who has had adequate learning in them.” The dark-haired elf mused as he brought a finger to his chin, “have you tried attaining a third rune as of late?”
“Actually, Magister…” Sunset raised her hand hesitantly.
“Yes?”
“I actually managed to weave a third rune in there the other day, but considering how it functions. I did believe it would serve effectively as a trap. As such, I chose not to go through with it.”
“Well, which rune did you add?” Rommath replied, his eyes wide with curiosity.
“A healing rune, Master Rommath,” Sunset replied sheepishly. It had taken many tries and Sunset was actually rather let down by the fact that of all the runes that she had to be able to splash into the combination, it would be the one for restoration.
It was quite the wasted effort, for a spell that was meant to restrain and protect itself against its target, to also heal its captive as well. Hence, Sunset had naturally declined to include it within her spell.
“Truly?” Rommath replied, “that was impressive.” He continued, surprising her, “may I have a demonstration, Apprentice?”
“Uh… yes, Master Rommath.” Sunset bowed hastily, though her mind was filled with questions as to why the magister would be interested in this. Still, she did not question the intentions of her superiors, especially when each of them could seriously give Celestia a run for her money.
Runeweaving was a long and intricate process, not surprising considering that runes were supposed to not only last as long as the surfaces which they were placed on, but also preserve them. As such, the rune must be naturally linked to the material on which they were inscribed, which meant that a long and tedious had to be conducted to weave the rune itself intrinsically with the surface upon which it was on so that it could never be removed. Kind of like sewing a sigil onto a uniform, if that analogy could be used.
Sunset could not tell how long she had been standing there, slowly and carefully weaving the rune of restoration into the combination that she had prepared for today. Only when she was done did she notice how dry it was, and how dark it was outside. She blinked in surprise at that, she could have sworn that it was merely early afternoon just now.
“Well done,” Rommath smiled as he handed the apprentice a cup of water, telekinetically. “A most impressive display. I must admit that you do show immense potential in this field. Though I would regret to tell you that our time here had to be cut short.”
“Pardon?” Sunset looked up at the magister. Cut short? Why?
“It’d appear that you have a guest.”
Sunset looked up, her eyes widening as she registered the other person in the room that she had failed to notice. Somehow, Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider had entered the room without her knowing.
“Your highness!” She quickly bowed, despite the protest of her stiff and aching limbs. How long had she been on that rune?
“Please rise, apprentice.” The prince said as he walked forward.
“My deepest apologies, Prince Kael’thas,” Sunset quickly said. It would not do for her to offend royalty, not at this critical juncture. “If I had known that you had entered…”
“It is of little matter, apprentice,” Kael’thas replied, flashing a look at Rommath as he nodded at her, “the magister had asked me to allow you to finish your work.” His eyebrows furrowed a little, almost as if he was a little annoyed, “not that he would need to, after all, I know that leaving a spell unfinished would have rather… catastrophic consequences.”
“Speaking from first hand experience, my prince?” Rommath quipped good-naturedly.
“I have witnessed a few first hand in Dalaran, yes.” The prince replied, rather stiffly. Walking over to stand beside her, he bent down to inspect her handiwork. As he did, Sunset could not help but feel nervous that the royalty from Azeroth’s racial equivalent of an Alicorn was inspecting her work. Thankfully, the prince seemed to find her work satisfactory as he nodded in approval as he straightened his back.
“Impressive,” He said as he turned to Sunset, “three runes, is it not?”
“Indeed, your highness,” Rommath replied before Sunset could. “While the work was not as efficient of some of those in our employ, it is most impressive that she could produce one at her current stage.”
If Sunset could puff herself up with pride, she would be quite literally bursting with it right now. However, she suppressed the desire to do so. After all, she was in the presence of royalty. To do so would be undignified and would most definitely tarnish any reputation that she wished to build in Quel’thalas.
“Thank you for your praise, your highness,” Sunset said, hoping that she sounded as grateful as she felt.
“No need to thank me for your work, apprentice.” Kael’thas replied, “though I would hope that it would be alright to borrow you for a few minutes?” He flashed a look at the magister, “if it would not be too inconvenient?”
Sunset put aside the thought that he had to ask the Magister for her company as if she was a piece of property in favor of wondering why the prince was even asking for her in the first place. Sure, it made her feel important, but unlike in Equestria where nobles had been begging her to attend their parties all the time because she was the princess’s personal student, she was hardly anyone of note in Azeroth. Yet.
“There will be no problems with that, my prince.” Rommath bowed respectfully. “Would you like to dine with us as well, seeing as it is quite late?” He asked, indicating the darkening sky outside.
“Only if it is not too much trouble, Rommath” Kael’thas chuckled before he looked over to Sunset. “Apprentice, if you would follow me?”
“Yes your highness.”
Sunset dutifully followed the prince to the gardens below, which frankly, was pretty much the standard garden which you would find just about anywhere in Silvermoon city, though it was no less beautiful because of it, which was saying something about the aesthetics of the Quel’dorei.
To be honest, Sunset was quite literally dying with curiosity as to why the prince would request her presence today. The last she had seen him was after the duel that she had when she had first arrived in the city two weeks ago. And furthermore, she had hardly ever strayed outside of Magister Rommath’s compound for the duration of her stay, seeing as the amount of knowledge that he had imparted to the young mage at Modera’s request was quite staggering despite the fact that it was only the tip of the knowledge which he had held.
Which he would never give to Sunset in its entirety. Magi were stingy creatures after all.
Still, returning her mind to the matter at hand, Sunset wondered why the prince had come to meet her? Was it a matter which had required her assistance? Or did he need something else?
“Apprentice.”
“Yes, your highness?” Sunset quickly straightened as she looked at the elven prince.
“There is something which I need to tell you about.”
What is it? Sunset narrowed her eyes. It must definitely be something of great import, especially since the prince himself had approached her.
“The first is an apology…”
Apology? Sunset frowned, for what?
“If you remember the duel that you had been engaged in on your first day?”
“How could I forget, your highness?” Sunset replied, a smile on her face. Surprisingly, that duel had been most satisfying and rewarding. Who knew that beating a pompous elf at his own game would not only sate the amount of frustration that she had accumulated since Jaina had been engaged to that annoying ponce of a prince and also acquit herself with many of the elven magi at the same time? In fact, if not for that little show of force that she had displayed, she would have doubted that Magister Rommath would have even taken an interest in her. “It was memorable.”
“Indeed it was.” Kael’thas chuckled before his face darkened. “Well, I would also regret to inform you that it had been staged.”
“Staged?” Sunset furrowed her brows in confusion.
“Yes, staged.” Kael’thas sighed. “It was a test, of sorts.” At Sunset’s quizzical look, he elaborated. “My father had heard of some rather… interestings rumours of my exploits at the Violet Citadel. As such, he had taken it upon himself to… well, do as a parent should, if you would.”
Exploits? Rumours? Sunset frowned. She had not known of anything to do with the elven prince which would concern her.
Kael’thas sighed in exasperation at her confusion. Sunset must admit that it was rather amusing to see the elven prince so awkward, though it was offset by the fact that she still did not know what had rendered him like this.
“Well, apprentice. You… know of my attempts to… court the Proudmoore lady?”
Sunset’s good-humour evaporated in the instant she had heard that name, but she kept her face passive nonetheless. “Yes, your highness,” she replied somewhat frostily, of course she had heard of the elven prince’s attempts to court her friend, having been instrumental in attempting to use him to get separate Jaina and that stupid ponce on several occasions.
Not like he had been any help in that regard, considering the fact that the two of them ended up engaged.
“Indeed,” Kael’thas coughed, attempting to dispel the awkwardness in the air. “Well, it would appear that my father had caught wind of the attempts, except…”
Sunset raised an eyebrow questioningly. What was he getting at?
“It would seem that he had mistaken you for her.” The prince finished rather lamely.
Sunset blinked as she absorbed the statement. Was the prince saying what she thought he was saying? That King Anasterian had mistaken her for Jaina? No, that the king had mistaken her to be the girl that Prince Kael’thas was trying to woo?
“Oh.” Sunset managed after a few seconds of awkward silence, her mind full of thoughts, specifically those of how this would affect her reputation in the Violet Citadel and in Quel’thalas? How many of those praises that came her way were actually for her skill and knowledge and not because those elves had thought that she was connected to royalty in some way?
“I must apologise for this, apprentice,” Kael’thas continued, “I have begun to set about trying to correct the mistaken rumors that had been flitting about my people. Though I must warn you,” He grimaced, “it would not be the last time that you would hear such talk around here.”
“Understood, your highness.”
Kael’thas nodded at her before he left the scene, leaving Sunset alone in the gardens to mull over what he had just said.
“Well, that was… unexpected.” Sunset muttered as she looked at the retreating figure of the elven prince. The last thing she had expected to be tangled with was to be a rumored lover of that arrogant prick. Sure, he was powerful and knowledgeable, but still an arrogant prick nonetheless.
“Not that it matters anyway.” Sunset muttered as she began to make her way back to the tower. Power was her goal here, and there was still much more there was to be learned.
Though it looks like it was going to be a long half year that she was going to be spending here.