Musings of an Azeroth Mage Book 1

Musings of an Azeroth Mage
 * - ''by Archin



-1-
(This entry will begin a group of story flashbacks of Archin's earlier years. I hope it's interesting and not too rambling!)  Ive been taking the time to reflect.  Reflect on my life, who I am, and what kind of a person I should be.  Ahh I remember in my youth how different of a man I was! How very much different than I am today. Was the change for the best? Is the Archin Brey of today superior to who I was in my youth?  But shall I start from the beginning? What started me thinking along these lines? Sure, I am a historian and as such Im used to looking back into the past to learn for the future. But I rarely, if ever, really think hard about who I was after all whatever I am at whatever given time it is certainly the best type of person I can be  right?  Last evening, I decided to head into the Jester and decided to make a concerted effort to be overtly happy. Why not? After all, I am married to the fairest creature in Azeroth, I have a beautiful son, a wonderful profession. I am financially stable, more so than stable! I have friends, an intriguing life, and I believe I am respected by those whose respect is important.  <BR>So many people seemed surprised at my positive attitude. I do admit, that sometimes I get mired down in serious matters and because of such a mindset, I think very seriously towards many aspects of life. But I can be fun! I can be joyful! <BR> <BR>A few incidents occurred that evening, however, that flung me out of my good mood and right into a very foul one. These incidents, which Id rather speak of in detail later, certainly warranted a serious response from someone as dignified as I! <BR> <BR>I admit, rarely do I care about the opinions of others. Particularly the opinions of others about myself! Why should I? So many people are jealous of me! They resent me because Im a straight shooter (to use one of those slang Booty Bay terms) and I tell folks my mind. I cannot help it if Im superior to most people! <BR> <BR>Nevertheless, I do care about the opinions of some towards me. <BR> <BR>I remember when I was the leader of my Guild. I knew I wasnt going to be the best leader and I relied on my officers to help me for my shortcomings so to speak. I was not as diplomatic as others. I had a shorter temper than most. But my heart, my heart is true and just! It is! <BR> <BR>Yet I would agonize, so often, because many members were afraid of me. Or they did not like me because I seemed grouchy all the time. Though I admit, most of the time I was grouchy because I was fending off jackals from courting my ex-wife. Yet I tried so hard to be friendly and gentlemanly to my friends. <BR> <BR>Though many opinions meant little to me. Their opinions of me meant very much. I suppose even I need to have friends. Even I need to have those that will respect me, and look on me and smile, not scowl. <BR> <BR>I even recall some members of my guild telling me how refreshing it was to see me in a good mood. How entertaining I could be! How much of a gentleman I could be! <BR> <BR>So, I sought to be just that man last evening. <BR> <BR>By the end of the evening, after tipping the workers of the Jester favorably and generally being a gentleman, I took a walk outside and was assaulted by a gnome. The little gnome leapt at me, telling me to prepare to die, and bounced off my chest like a fool. <BR> <BR>I was flung into a rage. Who wouldnt be?! <BR> <BR>After throwing the little gnome to the grass, I bore down on her and lady Peejee and Delesta quickly appeared at either side of me. While Peejee went to the gnome and started to talk to her, Delesta began to berate me for being mean to the gnome! Lest she forget, this gnome had threatened my life and tried to kill me! <BR> <BR>I berated the gnome over Peejees shoulder, and Delesta grabbed me by my collar and dragged me off to somewhere private. At which time, the Night Elf had the audacity to say I was being a jerk of sorts, and that I should learn to be a bit nicer to people. After she browbeat me about my conduct, I reserved myself to remain quiet and stomped back to Peejee and my assailant. <BR> <BR>I had returned just to hear Peejee say that I was an ungrateful, silly man and that I was always grouchy and angry. <BR> <BR>I have to admit that hit a chord. <BR> <BR>I had shown Peejee and, to an extent, Delesta as a whole absolute courtesy. Why, after sparring with Delesta once and swearing she was a fool, I even pardoned her after hearing she was a friend of Peejee. <BR> <BR>Yet, for whatever reason, hearing Peejee say that about me struck me. It stunned me, actually. I suppose I see the likes of Peejee, Delesta, and several others as my newfound friends. But do they have such an opinion of me? Do they simply see me as a grumpy old man? <BR> <BR>I thought long and hard at this am I a man different from what I was in my youth? I remember being young, enjoying the warmth of the sun against my face.. having long hair! Long hair!! <BR> <BR>Thinking on this I cannot help but think back to those times. Those carefree times when I was just a lad in a world full of opportunities <BR>

-2-
<BR>(( <BR> <BR>DISCLAIMER <BR> <BR>This entire work is a telling of the life of Archin Brey, by Archin Brey. The opinions of the character do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the handler, be they philosophical, ideological, or personal. <BR> <BR>Furthermore, as you'll see the perception of life around Archin Brey is skewed almost always into the favor of Archin, and as such his retelling or opinions of situations may not be truly how they occurred. <BR> <BR>This is strictly and in-character account of his life, and has no bearing on any out of character factors. To draw such conclusions is to make an error. <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR> <BR>)) <BR> <BR>For forty-one years I have stood as a staunch defender of the Alliance. I have been unwavering unquestioning and unappreciated. <BR> <BR>Never before have I had these feelings, but the recent events in my long life have shown me the light, or the darkness, of my previous course. <BR> <BR>As I look back on my life, I think of the times in which I knew peace. I remember as a young teenager, being able to travel through Westfall without the fear of thugs or the ravages of the Horde. I remember studying on a hill which once held a proud, tall tree. That tree has been replaced with a tower. That hill has been given a name: Sentinel Hill. The hill no longer stands as a bastion of academic achievement or personal relaxation. Instead, it serves as an outpost a guard tower. <BR> <BR>What an interesting allegory which perhaps could be related to all that has happened in the Alliance. <BR> <BR>My family was destroyed at an early age destroyed by the ravaging Horde that swept through Stormwind like a plague all those years ago and took my mother and father from me. Had it not been for the fact that I was studying with some of the budding Conjurors at the time, I would have shared the same fate. Thankfully, or perhaps alas, I was spared. <BR> <BR>And from that time I have seen kingdoms rise and fall. Kingdoms the likes of Stromgarde and Lordaeron, now lying in ashes and ruin, along with all the good and just people that stood to defend it. Yet Stormwind and Ironforge now rise again to protect those in need, to defend those in trouble. <BR> <BR>My magocratic brethren, spell-shocked by the destruction of the Violet Citadel of Dalaran, hide behind a dome of incredible power, twiddling their thumbs and planning contingencies but they do not DO anything. I find myself, behind that dome as well, scratching my head and taking their orders like a lapdog without a mind. <BR> <BR>Without a mind! <BR> <BR>A contradiction in terms for a mage to not have a mind! <BR> <BR>My years in the navy, under the tutelage of Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, still resonates in my mind. Ahh when I was but thirty years of age and on the sea with my mentor, how carefree the world appeared! Those were times, away from land, in which I could rest and be unbothered by the pettiness of politics, the venom of manipulation, and the callowness of individuals. <BR> <BR>A staunch defender of the Alliance aye that is what Archin Brey has been. An Alliance who embraces a woman who killed her father. An Alliance whose population is slowly being overrun with Night Elves who loathe their own brothers and hate those that use magic. An Alliance rife with political infighting, as my own studies have shown, seems to be more under the control of the Dragonflight than by any Human! <BR> <BR>My travels to Silithus have proven to me the futility of this battle. Hoards of insects, poised to engulf all of Kalimdor and then, all of Azeroth, are growing in droves and mustering their numbers. In the wake of such an onslaught, the Orcish Hordes appear to be nothing more than a small Defias gathering! <BR> <BR>And I, a capable and admirable mage with hope in his heart and conviction in his soul, must slave away behind that stupid dome of Dalaran and take orders from Mages who would rather wait it out as opposed to do something. What a waste <BR> <BR>What a waste! <BR> <BR>I grow tired of being wasted. I grow tired of being used. I grow tired of working under the banner of an Alliance who cannot defend the Mages. I grow tired of learning under a banner of a Magocracy that will not act. I grow tired, weary, and angry at the thought that all this Alliance has done is destroy those I love, waste those who have power, and squelch those who have thought. <BR> <BR>And yet after recent events when virtually all of those who were once by my side have abandoned me. When all those who I cared for have forgotten me and when all those who gave a damn about me have disappeared I find a friend in the most unlikely of forms: <BR> <BR>A Warlock. <BR> <BR>A practitioner of an art in which I have disdained and hated all my life. <BR> <BR>And yet now I am somehow drawn to it I am somehow intrigued by it. I find myself, be it of my own volition or not, turning my face away from the glaring, burning Light and find safety and warmth in the Shadow. <BR> <BR>It excites me and frightens me all the same. <BR> <BR>I am not one to act quickly or rashly I should consider this a bit more before I come to a decision Ill write more when it comes to me. <BR> <BR>-Archin Brey <BR>Mage of Dalaran <BR>

-3-
Three quarters of the time that I spend any long period with her, I want to wrap my fingers around her slender neck and choke the life out of her. Aye clearly there are intense differences between the genius of the Dalaran Mage and the practices of a Warlock. <BR> <BR>I should rephrase that. I find myself, more and more, not wanting to be referred to as a Dalaran Mage but rather, as simply a Mage. Being associated with Dalaran may have granted me the ability to learn faster and have access to more information, but now, I do not require them. <BR> <BR>Aye, thinking on how the Mages make me slave away behind the dome and reflecting on how many menial and fruitless tasks I waste my time on, clearly they are getting more out of me, then I am out of them. <BR> <BR>My biggest criticism of Warlocks (save for the fact that they are granted power by the Legion, of course) is that they utilize their minions as tools. That voidwalker of hers he follows her unquestioningly and mindlessly, it appears. I have seen Warlocks revel in the petty fact that they have something in which they can order around at any time. To send something to its death mindlessly, that is not power, that is a waste. <BR> <BR>Yet this Warlock, she treats the voidwalker differently. She speaks with it she relates with it and she seems to want to protect it. Though I clearly see tendencies where she wishes to garner as much power as she possibly can, I do not see her reveling in controlling the minion. She respects it. She cares for it. <BR> <BR>Like a vicious mirror reflecting the image back to me, I see myself as the tool and Dalaran as the puppeteer. I see myself; mindlessly and thanklessly working for those blasted Mages, who could give a damn about my own needs and me. <BR> <BR>I see this example repeating itself over and over in my life. Was I a tool during the Second War? Was I a tool on the high seas, fighting alongside Admiral Proudmoore? Are we all just tools used by a thankless Alliance? Now that Proudmoore, Terenas, and the Lightbringer are gone, is there anything worth defending in the Alliance anymore? <BR> <BR>I have watched Yumeko grow from a young, blinking Warlock of very negligent power to a truly capable caster and through that time I have seen a stark change in her demeanor. No longer a quiet, mild mannered Warlock that I knew in my Guild, she is now a strong willed Warlock with a clear goal and conviction. It irks me how sure of herself she is perhaps because I am not sure of myself? <BR> <BR>I try so hard to appear self assured and confident but my confidence and my faith has been shaken. Indeed, its been shaken terribly. All of which I believed was safe, I see now as treacherous. To think that a Warlock serves as my only traveling companion to think that a Warlock serves as the closest thing I have anymore to a <BR> <BR>well a friend. <BR> <BR>I respect her hunger for power. I will say it. I respect it and I find myself hungering for the same thing. Dalaran acts as two violet shackles, holding me back from my ultimate goal. The Alliance, it bars me from being truly independent and getting what I want. Warlocks, they do not have these problems they do not have these petty, stupid fetters. <BR> <BR>Yumeko told me I sound more like a Warlock than a Light-following Mage. I do not know if that was a barb or the truth. I am not a Warlock nay, nor will I ever be. But if I am not a Dalaran Mage, am I just a regular Mage? Am I something more? <BR> <BR>I cannot ignore that she has been there for me, even if to taunt me when I would rather not be bothered. I find myself attracted to her to her beauty, her youth, her hunger a hunger of some sort that Im not familiar with. <BR> <BR>Day by day, I come closer to walking into the Citadel and telling them to go to the Nether. To tell the Mages that I am done with them! To tell them that no more will Archin Brey be wasted! No more will he be scoffed at! <BR> <BR>Like a moth to a flame, I am drawn to this woman <BR> <BR>if I get burned, so be it. Ive been burned far worse in these past few months. <BR> <BR>-Archin Brey <BR>Mage of Dalaran <BR>

-4-
Today I very well almost told the Mages of Dalaran to pound parchment! <BR> <BR>I am a careful and calculating man. Though I can be angered very quickly, I very rarely act rashly or without forethought. But today, being told that I was required to translate various tomes from High Elven to Common very nearly drove me to chuck the book at their gray haired skulls and leave that bloody dome. <BR> <BR>Do these idiots realize that outside of the Violet Citadel there is a war being fought? That there are people dying and lives being destroyed? As if I, a Mage of great rank and knowledge, should be wasted inside of that damnable ruin while I could better be served on the battlefield! <BR> <BR>My mind wanders to other groups, other individuals, and other goals. Part of me doesnt even care about those farmers that get cut down and the land that is razed. Why should I spend all my waking hours trying to protect those weaker than me? Did I not live a life without a family and have my home destroyed three times? Did I not have to deal with my own personal demons and tribulations? <BR> <BR>If these idiotic people cannot defend themselves, why should I take up the banner? Besides, the bunch of inbred hooligans that make up the bulk of these people would be cautious and terrified of me anyway. Theyd probably chase me off their land after the bodies of the Orcs had cooled, and claim they didnt want nor need my help! <BR> <BR>Ungrateful commoners ungrateful indeed! <BR> <BR>Theyre no better than the high and mighty Mages that I have to stoop so low in order to appease. Why, I am sure if I had the opportunity I could blast each of them straight to the Nether and they wouldnt have a thing to say about it! <BR> <BR>The other evening, myself, Yumeko, and two Night Elves went into Tirisfal and attacked the Undercity. I am not one to go into a suicide mission the Shadow excuse me Light knows Im far too intelligent to go into such an engagement without some sort of a plan. However, knowing that Yumeko was going in there, and knowing that we would probably be battered quite badly, I decided to go anyway. <BR> <BR>Naturally, the Undercity did not fall. Archin Brey did not stand on the shattered remains of the Forsaken, but we brought a good number of them down. A Warlock, Mage, Warrior, and Priest waded into that cesspool and sent a good number of those cretins to their doom what an enjoyable endeavor it was! <BR> <BR>Our battle led us to the outskirts of Brill, where we fought for a good while against various members of the Horde. I was appalled by the conduct of some of those brutes, attacking us at our weakest and overwhelming us. A true cowards tactic, fighting us like that on their own home soil. We even tried to be peaceable with them, yet the filth continued to harass us. <BR> <BR>I did notice, however, a few members there that were honorable an Undead Priest and a Troll, as well as a few others who carried the banner of a similar group. My research has shown that this group was known as The Calling. <BR> <BR>This brings a staggering realization to my mind. <BR> <BR>Members of the Horde can be honorable! To show honor is to show some level of intelligence to show intelligence means one is not an animal. <BR> <BR>This of course throws into disarray all of which I have thought of in terms of the Horde. Why those members of the Horde, they were more honorable than most men I see in the Alliance! <BR> <BR>With these facts in my mind, I am relegated now more than ever to say To Hell to the Alliance and go about my own course. I know of other groups, particularly those that were once close to Dalaran, that have chosen a path far different from the controlling minds of the Kirin Tor and their brethren <BR> <BR>Our travels ultimately led us to Orgrimmar, the Horde capital. While the Night Elf and Yumeko continued to berate me, we snuck into the city and hid ourselves on the roof of one of their buildings. <BR> <BR>The second realization that I had, something I did not expect, was the intense rage that filled me when I ever saw Yumeko fall. How dare anyone lay a hand on that fair girl and threaten her with harm. Even if she prods at me and claims that Im a misguided Mage, what does she know? Shes young, and with youth comes stupidity, thats simple enough and I can dismiss that. <BR> <BR>But now as my feelings for this girl change from one of opposition to one of collaboration, am I just making excuses to justify and allow myself to get closer to her? Am I somehow tricking myself into giving up a piece of my own ironclad will so that I can rationalize accepting her? Am I in control of this at all? <BR> <BR>What the Devil is happening to me? <BR> <BR>Our adventure ended in Darnassus, of all bloody places, with just Yumeko and myself at the moonwell of Elune. I gaze up at that statue, with that pure, cool water cascading from her cup, and I see nothing. Where at once I thought I saw the manifestation of a God, instead I see an inert piece of stone whose will blinds the eyes and corrupts the minds of her judgmental Night Elf quarry. <BR> <BR>Yumeko and I, we talked briefly as she washed the grime and dirt off of her fair skin I wanted so much to remain there with her, drawn to her as I find myself invariably being pulled. But I was upset, the night had been eventful, but the wounds had been deep physically and even though I enjoyed her company, she had uttered some things that evening that had wounded my pride as well. <BR> <BR>Despite my hunger my urge to stay with her, I turned on my heels and left that bloody tree. The image of her glistening skin in the moonwell still resonates in my mind. <BR> <BR>No matter how hard I try, I cant shake it. <BR> <BR>Archin Brey <BR>Mage <BR>

-5-
My word a lot has happened. <BR> <BR>Looking around at my current state of affairs, I would hardly have expected such a situation to arise. <BR> <BR>I sit here, on the shore of Dustwallow Marsh, just on the outskirts of that bloody fortress known as Theramore Isle. <BR> <BR>I loathe Theramore and that treacherous Lady Jaina Proudmoore that sits in her tower. I question her motives, as I always have, considering she brutally aided in the death of her father, my mentor, Admiral Daelin Proudmoore. That Night Elf, Pained, that hangs around her only increases my suspicions. Why would a Night Elf, a member of a race so adamant against users of magic, be carousing with Jaina Proudmoore? <BR> <BR>The questions are many, the answers are few. The bane of a Mage is to have a question that has no answer or to have a question in which an answer cannot be found. <BR> <BR>Regardless, this is not the sole reason why I am intrigued and shaken by my current state of affairs. Gazing to my side sleeps none other than Yumeko, curled up in a small ball and wrapped in a runecloth blanket that I myself sewed for her earlier this evening. <BR> <BR>Thinking back on the events of the evening, I can hardly trace how we got from point A to point B. Yumeko had wished to visit an island, Alcaz Island, which was guarded by some very powerful Naga and Hydrae. Swimming to the island itself, we studied the surrounded area. I particularly grew interested after spying the top of an Alliance tower on the island, and a flag which I believe bore the symbol of Theramore, though I could be wrong. <BR> <BR>The swim was hard, particularly after the previous night in which we had battled the Horde in Orgrimmar, I had sported a rather smarting gash in my left leg and needed a rest. Sitting on the shore of Dustwallow and gazing out into the endless sea with Yumeko and warming ourselves by the fire, it was a relaxing and wholesome situation. <BR> <BR>I think back on my life and all the troubles that I have had. I think of the love that I had lost, the people who were taken from me, the trials that I have endured, and the destruction that has been wrought throughout my entire life and yet gazing out at the crystal blue water and seeing the sun dip down beneath the hills behind us, all of these problems seemed to melt away. <BR> <BR>It was just myself and Yumeko <BR> <BR>and an annoying turtle that would NOT leave us be. Stupid creature continued to skulk around the sand all blasted night why hes STILL skulking around! <BR> <BR>Anyway <BR> <BR>Doubts have arisen to just how truly different Yumeko and I are. We Mages, we struggle with the pull of the Nether, which is a corrupting force. It corrupted the Highborne ages ago yet we humans are blessed with a short lifespan and therefore cannot truly be corrupted at least so many say. Men like Medivh, however, blow that theory to pieces after seeing what Hell hes put us through. <BR> <BR>Nevertheless, the question rises in my mind as I find myself inextricably bound to a course that forsakes my past and embraces a future far different from one that I had expected. Would I be going along a course similar to Medivh? Is it selfish, foolish, and evil to want power? At forty-one years of age, I have many years left to live, but am I stagnating? Have I leveled off in my studies and now find myself hungering for more? Is it that simple? Or is it something else? Is the Nether pulling me towards a want for power? <BR> <BR>Has Yumeko acted as a catalyst for these thoughts? <BR> <BR>I really shouldnt think of things like this. The idea of a Mage being unable to control himself is preposterous! Archin Brey is a man of iron will and solid resolve. Anything I do will be of my own free will! <BR> <BR>Needless to say talking with Yumeko led us to a warm embrace. She is a self assured and strong woman, but I see emptiness and loneliness in her eyes that I want to fill. I see in her the young, naïve Warlock that she was when I first met her one that required help from those that would give it one that bristled under the judgmental eyes of those that did not understand her. <BR> <BR>Men like I who did not understand her. <BR> <BR>I felt twenty years younger in her embrace and my heart swelled with pride as I held her. When it appeared that I was truly alone and relegated to a fate devoid of hope, this beautiful Warlock snatched me from the fire and protected me. I am inclined to do the same for her, with whatever nightmares haunt her. <BR> <BR>And if that means leaving Dalaran so be it. <BR> <BR>If that means forsaking the Light and saying to Hell with the Alliance so be it. <BR> <BR>No man will ever say Archin Brey wasnt stubborn. <BR> <BR>But no man will ever say that Archin Brey wasnt true to a cause he believed just. <BR> <BR>And this moment in time... and for the future I certainly hope, my cause is to be with this Warlock. To protect her, to educate her, and to learn from her in such a way as to blast away my old idiosyncrasies and make me a better man. Not just for myself but for her as well. <BR> <BR>I cannot sleep with someone that I do not love. <BR> <BR>Archin Brey <BR>Mage <BR>

-6-
The last few days have gone by so quickly, I hardly know where to begin. <BR> <BR>For roughly three days I remained on the shore of Dustwallow with Yumeko. I have been known to stay locked in a room for weeks at a time when studying an important tome, or working out a nagging problem, but never, ever out in nature for so long and never, ever in the company of someone for such a lengthy period of time. <BR> <BR>I suppose one could say that I can be difficult to get along with, and I do not deny that. It is hard for other people to understand me, and perhaps its a bit difficult for someone to keep up with me in an intense conversation, I can certainly understand how that would be frustrating. <BR> <BR>The days were spent cooking, talking, and, quite frankly, getting to know one another better. The nights were spent in each others arms <BR> <BR>The relationship that we share is an interesting one. She is a Warlock who believes that having emotional feelings is a violation of her craft. I am a Mage who thinks that becoming attached to a Warlock is a violation of ones character. Yet, I believe the two of us are beginning to differentiate these notions and see something far stronger underneath. <BR> <BR>During one of her lengthier naps, I decided to travel briefly from the shore of the Marsh and take care of some of my other trades, as well as offer aid to a friend in Duskwood. <BR> <BR>Finding myself at the doorway of the Scarlet Raven was a flashback of considerable strength. It had been so long since I had walked into that dank, cold building, yet within its walls held memories of my own. <BR> <BR>Traipsing into the building and warming myself by the fire, I overheard a conversation by a few individuals in the corner. Two females, a Human and a Night Elf, and a male Human as well were having a conversation amongst themselves. Though I was not overtly imposing myself on their conversation, seeing as how I was the only intelligent looking creature in the establishment, the Night Elf Priestess kindly asked me to join them. <BR> <BR>Peejee was the name of the Night Elf Priestess, Meris was the other female, and Ravian, a lad I had met before oddly enough, served as their male counterpart. Seated with them, I spoke of my own trials, and they spoke of their own as well. <BR> <BR>There is no need to go into the details of the entire conversation, after all I remember it vividly and therefore have no reason to write such a story down, but key points were made, which I admit shook me to the core. <BR> <BR>Through our conversations the subject of Dalaran came up and the thought that perhaps the Mages are holding me back I find it alien and strange to think that the Mages of Dalaran are wrong about certain issues. Why, I had been brought up, from a child to believe and think that we Mages serve as the most intelligent and noteworthy members of Alliance society. But Peejee brought up an interesting point: <BR> <BR>The Dalaran Magocracy has only been around for a mere blink of an eye, compared to other forces, which still do not know the intricate secrets of the world. <BR> <BR>Normally, I react harshly and defensively to the notion that my brethren are not all knowing or capable of mistakes yet instead I pondered it and believe that perhaps there is wisdom in those words. <BR> <BR>My I have changed a lot in the past few weeks. To think that I am so open-minded! <BR> <BR>Of course, to Peejee and Meris, they would not think I was open-minded, I believe. Our talks traveled to Yumeko. I am normally guarded and protective of my personal affairs yet I needed to speak to someone about this issue and they seemed wise and nice enough to grant me an audience. <BR> <BR>Speaking to them of the ludicrous nature of our situation, that I would carouse with a Warlock, seemed quite normal to them. Delving deeper into my upbringing, they hypothesized that I am too keen on looking at Yumeko as a Warlock and not as a person and as such. I have been blinded. <BR> <BR>The culprit, however, is not Archin Brey. Rather the all-knowing Mages of Dalaran. <BR> <BR>Am I so weak so malleable that I let the Magocracy make up my opinions and my mind for me? <BR> <BR>Have they gained such a strong hold of my mind that I make decisions not from my heart, but from my head which has been thoroughly infiltrated with their propaganda? <BR> <BR>Such an idea shakes me to my core. <BR> <BR>Both of them told me that Yumeko was a person and that it was not that uncommon for a Warlock to offer help to someone in need. That Paladins were generally too self-righteous to help one that truly needed help. <BR> <BR>I am inclined to agree. <BR> <BR>To take a step back and look at the entire situation I now see a woman with a beautiful heart that helped a man who needed aid. <BR> <BR>This is contrary to my previous thought that a greedy, power hungry warlock helped a man who needed aid. <BR> <BR>Eventually, we got to speaking of the ideas of Fate, predestination, and the ideas of chaos versus logic. My, how I hate such tawdry and wasteful conversations. Philosophy is something I abhor it is so useless and fruitless to argue an issue that has no true answer. <BR> <BR>Furthermore quite frankly I am a Mage of Dalaran! Clearly I am right! <BR> <BR>And clearly I am proving to myself by my previous statement the wrong that is going on within my head. <BR> <BR>Am I suffocating inside? Is the assuredness that Dalaran created for me now acting as a gag to slowly kill me inside? <BR> <BR>Yumeko (a woman who under Dalarans, the Lights, and the Alliances standards is considered fundamentally wrong and unsavory) is a refreshing gateway to an aspect of life I have never lived before. <BR> <BR>Not living for some Order. Not living for some Alliance. Not living for a religion. But rather, living for ones-self and living such a lifestyle together. <BR> <BR>It sounds selfish but I dont believe it is so. <BR> <BR>These realizations had taken a toll on my body and more so, my mind. Drinking a toast with the two women (the male had left a considerable time before) I rapidly succumbed to sleep and drifted off. <BR> <BR>Upon my awakening, I found myself alone in the Scarlet Raven. I would have thought the two women apparitions of reason and truth, had it not been for the wine bottle left there for me. <BR> <BR>Finishing the bottle, I returned to Dustwallow and Yumeko. <BR> <BR>The world looks so different now. Like a lens I had constructed it all seems so much clearer <BR> <BR>and so much readily for the taking. <BR> <BR>Archin Brey <BR>Mage <BR>

-7-
Oh dear. <BR> <BR>Oh dear oh dear <BR> <BR>The proverbial monkey wrench has been thrown into this strange and cantankerous contraption that is my life. <BR> <BR>This machine that I speak of this life that I have it is a very proper, orderly, logical and meticulous machine. For forty years, it has been maintained, protected, oiled, and unerring in its makeup and design. I do not make hasty decisions. I do not make miscalculations! I do not make mistakes! <BR> <BR>But it would seem that perhaps I did. <BR> <BR>Nay we did. <BR> <BR>During our tenure on the shores of Dustwallow one could say that Yumeko and I were not just friendly we were amorous with one another. Aye, that is a good, safe, proper word to use. <BR> <BR>I cant help but grin a little at this thought. I grumble occasionally about being forty-one years of age and I speak about growing older. My friends would playfully prod me, call me an old man and say that I was ancient, nonsense like that. However what most people do not realize is that for a Mage, Im in considerable shape and not that bad off physically! <BR> <BR>I attribute it to my tenure on the high seas with Admiral Proudmoore as well as a regimented diet of meat and cheese, as well as inhaling mountains of book dust. <BR> <BR>Anyway <BR> <BR>Following one particular night, Yumeko had awoken the next morning not feeling well. I do admit, sleeping on the outskirts of a raptor filled, spider infested, goo inhabited, ogre holding cesspool probably isnt the best course of action. Not to mention that mindless, stupid turtle that continued to tramp around the sand just at the foot of our little hill! <BR> <BR>That blasted turtle how often he kept me awake at night! <BR> <BR>Dammit I keep getting sidetracked! <BR> <BR>As I was saying <BR> <BR>Yumeko was not feeling well, and I deduced that she had contracted some sort of a virus. Though I am not a Priest, nor a doctor, many of us Mages are trained in First Aid and other health related fields. Particularly following the destruction of Northshire Abbey during the First War, many of the Mages that followed learned the healing arts, albeit through medicine as opposed to the Light, in order to serve as a backup in case our Light following brethren were too busy dealing with another catastrophe. <BR> <BR>The next day, however, her symptoms had grown worse. Vomiting tiredness hunger pains in the abdomen things of that nature. <BR> <BR>I would have taken her to see a Priest, but I didnt know any Priests that I trusted with my dear Warlock. More and more as the time goes by I look upon Priests with a watchful eye and a protective heart. <BR> <BR>More startling (and puzzling) was the fact that while she was consuming a large amount of meat and unable to keep most of it down on account of the regurgitation, she was putting on weight! <BR> <BR>It was at this time that a small very small light went off in my head and I shrugged it off. Surely it must be some sort of a strange, Dustwallow Bug. <BR> <BR>Invariably the next two days went by and the symptoms continued and my concerns and fears were confirmed. Swelling in the abdomen... still tired a little temperamental ultimately it appeared that the facts were staring me straight in the face, and naturally as a Mage and an academic, one cannot ignore the facts. <BR> <BR>I believe nay, Im fairly certain, that Yumeko is pregnant. <BR> <BR>Oh dear <BR> <BR>I have argued for hours upon hours against ignorant Mages, repulsive Warlocks, politicians, clergy, and former students and never once been given pause. But the realization of this fact abruptly took every word in my impressive vocabulary from my mouth and mind. <BR> <BR>We sat stunned on the beach. Why even that turtle meant very little to me after this goblin bombshell was dropped. <BR> <BR>Ultimately Yumeko asked me what I wanted. <BR> <BR>I sit here as I write pondering this question still. <BR> <BR>Of all things, I did not want the child to be harmed or destroyed and if I am the cause of such an action, bringing a life into this ravaged and savage world of ours, I will stick by that and protect the child. That was my answer a just one, I believe. <BR> <BR>She agreed with me. It is a burden that we would both have to bear, but something worth bearing, in my opinion. <BR> <BR>However in retrospect, my fear and concern has given way to excitement and promise! A father a child my word what a prospect! <BR> <BR>I believe the situation has served to solidify my relationship with this woman. Not just because the circumstances allow it, but because with such an overarching situation we cannot ignore our feelings for one another. <BR> <BR>Questions do arise questions I would not dare as Yumeko. <BR> <BR>A Mage and a Warlock what would the child be like? In my mind, I picture a very studious, classical young mage, hed be handsome like me, but his skin a darker shade like his mother. Oh hed be intelligent, nay, a genius. Hed even give his father a run for his money! Id train him as a true Mage, not tainted by those in Dalaran, and hed be a complete gentleman. Hed serve as a bastion of hope for those in this horrid, fouled up world and in the end when I closed my eyes for the last time, I could smile knowing he was there to continue on my proud name. <BR> <BR>But what if the child is female?? Never before have I even considered this. <BR> <BR>A darling little girl with her mothers dark hair and her fathers complexion. My word, between Yumekos and my own considerable looks, she would be stunning indeed. She too would naturally be a Mage. Oh and I would scare the life out of any would-be suitors that tried to be amorous with my little girl. Oh would I frighten the brigands! <BR> <BR>As I gaze at the top of this entry, I retract my previous statement. A monkey wrench thrown into the contraption that is my life is wrong. It is false. A gift a stroke of unexpected and promising luck has been granted me in the most unexpected, yet incredibly rewarding of places. <BR> <BR>Papa has a warm sound to it. <BR> <BR>I would be the best damn father a child could want. <BR> <BR>Archin Brey <BR>

-8-
Archin Brey walked with a purpose. <BR> <BR>Much like he always did. <BR> <BR>Waking up early in the morning and heading to Dalaran, the forty-one year old Brey had better things to do than jump through hoops for the Magocracy. He found in his free time that virtually everything was more important than being cooped up behind the protective dome of Dalaran, slaving away over book and tomes. <BR> <BR>With his monocle firmly inset against his right eye and a black pair of suit pants, a white dress shirt and a black jacket, Archin looked more like a businessman or aristocrat as opposed to a robe wearing Dalaran Mage. <BR> <BR>It was always one of the major criticisms against him. <BR> <BR>Archin loathed wearing robes and avoided it if he ever could. He preferred shirts and pants, probably a byproduct of his period in the Navy under Admiral Proudmoore. And as the tall, thin man strode down a hallway, the Mages that passed him nodded in approval and out of deference to the man who had frequently been seen (and more often heard) bellowing and hypothesizing his beliefs and opinions. <BR> <BR>Archin carried himself in a different way these days, far different than before. Before his first marriage, Brey was quieter, more reserved, and less apt to think of opinions outside of Dalaran. But during his first marriage, he had learned to be a bit more open minded, a bit happier, a bit more fun-loving. It was always a subject of considerable debate amongst the Mages of Dalaran, when the originally quiet and constantly negative Archin Brey slowly turned into a positivist and romantic. <BR> <BR>However, following the disintegration of his marriage, a reversion had occurred. Archin was granted a wide berth by his inferiors, who never wished to incur the wrath of the blustery, self-assured, and clearly wounded Historian. And then, there was a peculiar time in which the High Mage was absent from Dalaran. Known for his punctuality and dutifulness, Archin even missed two important meetings and studies during that time. <BR> <BR>Striding down the hallway, his beard cut perfectly and his light red hair cut flawlessly, Archin was walking with a purpose, no doubt, and towards a collision course with one of his superiors. He turned a corner, his footsteps echoing through the dank hall, and stood before a wooden door with the plate Higord tacked to the front, written in a meticulously artful script. <BR> <BR>Swallowing once and fixing his jacket, Archin rapped on the door, curtly, three times and stood straight. His jaw was set hard in his head and his temples and nostrils flared as he waited. Slowly the door opened, revealing a diminutive man to greet the Historian. <BR> <BR>Ahhh, Archin I thought I heard you stomping in my direction said the little man. <BR> <BR>Archin nodded, And Im sure you were wishing the footsteps would have continued past your door. The little man nodded and led Archin into an office of sorts, unfortunately I have a few matters to discuss with you, Archmage Higord. <BR> <BR>Archmage Higord, the ranking Mage that dealt with the Dalaran Library and was an administrator of the Dalaran Educational Committee, was a short, unimposing human being, with Mage blood coursing through his veins that had been a product of many Mages before him. With short, graying hair and a black beard, the squat man was an interesting reversal to the tall, lean, gray-red haired Archin Brey. Higords office was a large, square room. His walls were a cool, dark obsidian color with two large windows along one wall, which gave a grand view of the Hillsbrad countryside. (The mages had long made it possible to see through the dome without a problem, while outsiders could not see them) <BR> <BR>A desk sat deeper into the room, with a tall, grandiose chair for Higord. Two other, smaller, lower sitting chairs sat facing the desk for visitors, and a large, brilliantly colored chandelier served as a dazzling source of light for the room. <BR> <BR>So what can I do for you today, High Mage Brey? Higord asked as he walked to his desk and sat down, adjusting his bright, purple robes and retying the cord that sealed the neck of his robe. <BR> <BR>Well, Archmage Higord, Archin began as he sat down in the opposing, smaller chair. Nevertheless, Archin was still taller than his counterpart, Im growing tired of constantly being ordered to do mindless, fruitless work in the library. Archin cleared his throat, I know Im a Historian, and I know there is a lot of work to be done, but I do believe that my knowledge of the arcane and my resourcefulness would be better spent on the battlefield and amongst the people, rather than behind our protective dome. <BR> <BR>Well, I think youre wrong. Higord answered curtly, clearly expecting such a succinct and pointed reply would dispel Archin. <BR> <BR>He was wrong. <BR> <BR>With all due respect, mlord, Archin said softly, loathing having to call his superiors that, I know of many others that are less powerful than I that could continue the work almost as well as myself. By going outside and showing the people the capabilities of Dalaran, I am helping the Violet Order, am I not? <BR> <BR>Sitting here and thinking contrary to what I believe, Archin, does far more damage to Dalaran than anything you could do outside of our dome. Higord paused, studying the stubborn Mages reaction, and then continued. Furthermore, wed prefer that you remain within Dalaran for a considerable amount of time. It is the opinion of the Kirin Tor that youve had enough exposure to some of the loftier elements of the Alliance, and you could do with a good, long break. <BR> <BR>The last time I checked, Dalaran was not my surrogate mother! Archin tried to keep himself in check. Blowing up in front of his superior was definitely not the best course of action. Anyway, Higord, I have been very busy outside of Dalaran as well. <BR> <BR>Higord crossed his arms over his chest, Oh, I know weve been keeping a close eye on you, Archin Brey. There was something in his tone some sort of maliciousness that Archin could not quite understand, Weve been watching you very closely. <BR> <BR>Archin tilted his head to the side, What does that mean, pray tell? <BR> <BR>Leaning back in his chair, Higord spoke with an air of absolute power, Youre an interesting individual, Archin Brey. So very much a Mage, yet so contradictory to the way that Mages should act. Higord gestured at Archin, Your hero is not a Mage, but rather a Mariner. You dont like to wear the robes that should be befitting a Mage of our Order. You prefer to fight with an unwieldy weapon instead of a staff. <BR> <BR>I thought intelligence and heart meant more than appearances. <BR> <BR>Oh they do, Archin, they do! But there is more to the Magocracy than just that. Youre a story to be told, Archin! A young man still, barely past forty years old, and yet through your hard work and dedication, youve risen like Alexstraza when she escaped the Dragonmaw Clan. Archin could not help but smile at the compliment, However, youre the first generation of a Mage in your family. Your mother and father were merely librarians of Stormwind. You werent born into our Order, and these facts clearly show. <BR> <BR>Lineage is important, Archmage Higord, but it doesnt totally make a man what he can become. Archin answered shortly, allowing Higord his speech. <BR> <BR>You are a curious fellow, Archin, and though you have aged, your heart is still very young and your body still very sturdy. You are still a bit too impulsive a bit too broad minded. Archin blinked at these words, First you get married to an off world Mage. We were rejoicing when we heard that tawdry affair had collapsed, Higord paused, ..but we were horrified at the next chapter in your interesting book. <BR> <BR>Archin began to grind his teeth. He knew what was coming. <BR> <BR>I hear you fancy a Warlock, Archin a Warlock! Higords voice suddenly shifted to rage. Archin sat quietly before him. You were here when Archimonde destroyed the Citadel! You know what those creatures can do!! <BR> <BR>Archins chest heaved and he sat taller in his chair, With all due respect, Higord, I AM the Historian of Dalaran, I think I know my bloody history! <BR> <BR>Nevertheless, Historian, an off world Mage is one thing a Warlock is something drastically different. Youll break off this affair and not see her again! <BR> <BR>Youll not tell me how to conduct my life! <BR> <BR>Youll not use that tone of voice with me, Brey! <BR> <BR>As rage consumed him, Archin slammed his fist on the desk, I am tired of you ordering me around! I will conduct my life how I see fit! I am a Mage, an independent, intelligent, and thought producing creature that will not be shackled and held back! <BR> <BR>A stunned, still silence shattered the argument as the two men stared into each others eyes. Archins shoulders rose and fell and his left eye squinted. Higord had since stopped reclining in his chair, and bent just slightly towards Archin. <BR> <BR>Who do you think Higords sentence was flattened suddenly by a continuation of Archins tirade. <BR> <BR>That woman showed me compassion when none of you would! You want to act like a family like parents to me? Then care about an individual, instead of your highfalutin ideals! Yes, she is a Warlock and yes, she believes in what she does! But there is a HEART in there, Higord, a heart that I have felt and that I care deeply for! Archins eyes flashed with a fire as his anger and passion rose. And if that means stepping towards the Shadow and away from the searing, burning, unyielding gaze of the Light, then by God so be it. I will at least say that I was my own man! <BR> <BR>If you dont leave that girl, Archin, Dalaran will leave you. Higord replied quietly and picked at a nail, as if such an action would cause him no concern. <BR> <BR>Archin leaned back in his chair and nodded. He glanced around the room and slid his tongue along the front of his teeth, before slowly standing and fixing his jacket. Well then... if that is the case, I suppose I had better start packing my things and clearing my office. <BR> <BR>Surprise flashed before Higords eyes as he gazed up at Archin, What? <BR> <BR>I love that girl, Sir, Archin said quietly, and I will not abandon her on account of an unmovable Magocracy. Instead, I will move away from it, and move to her. <BR> <BR>You cant be serious! Higord exclaimed, You have been a part of Dalaran for over twenty years, Archin! You met Admiral Proudmoore here! You have a history here! You you have a title and you have respect. <BR> <BR>Archin somberly shook his head, I will continue to have Proudmoore in my heart. My history will continue in my own books. But of a title and of respect, I have little of it here neither for it, nor is it given to me. Archin swallowed, It pains me that we must part on such terms but my heart is telling me what to do. <BR> <BR>And what of your mind? <BR> <BR>It is telling me the same thing. Archin nodded to Higord and turned on his heels. He slowly took his steps toward the door. <BR> <BR>Archin Brey! If you step out that door, you will have sacrificed everything for a Warlock! You will have thrown away everything that you have done, and so long as I am here, you will NEVER set foot back in the Violet Citadel! Higord fumed and stood from across the room, pointing at Archins back. <BR> <BR>Archin stopped at the door and bit his lower lip. His breathing was erratic and sweat formed on his brow. <BR> <BR>Youll be nothing more than a rogue Wizard! <BR> <BR>Thoughts flooded the stubborn, cantankerous Mages mind. He lifted his head slightly and stared at the archway of the door. He thought of his mother and father, and Admiral Proudmoore. He thought of the beautiful interior of the Violet Citadel. He thought of his title, and his findings, and his students. He thought of all these things. <BR> <BR>But then, he thought of the Warlock that helped him and his unborn child, and he knew what to do. <BR> <BR>Aye.. Higord Ill have lost all those things, but Ill have gained a family. <BR> <BR>And with that, Archin Brey opened the door and crossed the threshold. Instead of exiting into the hallway, he was standing outside of Dalaran, on the outside of the protective dome. Turning slightly, he placed his hand on the purple, shimmering shield and found that no longer could he step through. <BR> <BR>Turning to face the green, lush landscape of Hillsbrad in his black suit, Archin Brey looked like a wayward merchant, not a Dalaran Mage. The world looked vastly different to him it looked strange it was a frightening place. <BR> <BR>His legs wanted to collapse, he wanted to fall to his knees and cry. His body was on fire and wanted to burst into a firestorm. His mind wanted to crumple and give up. But his dignity, his honor, and his heart kept him moving. <BR> <BR>And walking from Dalaran, Archin Brey stood tall and proud. <BR> <BR>Much like he always did. <BR>