Treasured

Keola stood as patiently as she could, bouncing from hoof to hoof in the dim light. She didn’t like the dark. Xethra certainly did, and worked in it as if it were natural. The off-centered warlock received visits from the barely grown druid girl from time to time, to restock on potions and tonics and the like as she was now. The special draught that Xethra had demanded she imbue every month was to be included. Keola knew better than to forget that concoction. With her new role as one of the primary medics in the guild and the push through the Icecrown Citadel, she couldn’t afford to be dragged down by a child.
Finally, Xethra mumbled something and held up the final flask. The dark blue, foul tasting brew Keola knew had to be downed completely; else she would not be allowed to leave. Keola carefully arranged a few things in her bag, and settled down at the foot of a ratty cot. “You always give me more potions than I ask for,” Keola said softly, taking a sip and wrinkling her nose.
“You make use.” Xethra said simply, crouching in her chair. “Monthly is good.”
Keola nodded and took a larger swig, gulping it down loudly. “Do you drink these things?”
Xethra grinned and cackled. “I don’t have a ‘mate’.” She said, making little quotations with her thin fingers.
A bit of pink came to view from beneath the fur on Keola’s cheeks. “That part doesn’t matter all that much, does it?” she squeaked.
Xethra gave her a dismissing wave, and another short cackle. “’Einway. You don’t worry about yourself enough. I’ll worry about this for you.”
Keola finally tossed back the rest of the large vial, and then balanced it on the lumpy bed beside her. “I’ll be fine. I take care of the rest of the guild, don’t I?”
“Wasn’t what I meant.” Xethra said, suddenly reaching out to yank her up by her belt. Keola yelped as she was unexpectedly on her feet, and gasped as Xethra wrapped her arms around her waist. Keola stood flustered for a moment, unsure as to what was going on…until she felt the sudden draft on her back side.
“HEY!” Keola squeaked, making an attempt at grabbing Xethra. The little undead woman was awfully spry. She neatly bounded off the chair to a corner of the room, holding up her stolen prize. The silver band enchanted with blue stars and stardust that had previously been snugly around the base of Keola’s tail.
“Give that back!” Keola cried, terror in her eyes.
“I won’t break it, calf.” Xethra said, slipping it over her wrist like a bangle. “Interesting.”
“You have to give it back!” Keola screeched, tears coming to her eyes.
Xethra narrowed her eyes as the flesh around her wrist puckered and started to burn. “Powerful, too.”
Keola made a quick lunge for the tiny woman, but Xethra was a bit more agile than she was. A neat side step was enough to send Keola careening into the wall instead. With a sob, the druid let herself slide down the wall slowly until her rump hit the floor. Xethra simply blinked, unconcerned about the burning of her flesh.
“I’m not going to do anything to it,” Xethra snapped, twisting her wrist back and forth a few times to take in the effects.
“It’s cold,” Keola murmured, drawing her knees up against her chest. “I feel cold without it. Please, just give it back to me!”
Xethra finally slid the band off her wrist, balancing it on one finger. There was a deep, dark burn to the already ashy dead flesh around her wrist. “It’s just an enchanted band.”
“You’re wrong!” Keola said, clenching her fists. “Ger had it made so it was just for me to keep me warm and so he would know if I was safe or not. He might think I’m in trouble now! Just please…give it back. I can’t ever lose it!”
“Oh for…he knows you are just fine.” Xethra spat.
Keola pouted and her ears drooped a little. “He gave it to me a long time ago, when he first took me to the Caverns of Time and to the big tree at Mount Hyjal. It was the nicest thing anybody ever gave me. “
Xethra shrugged and casually tossed the band in Keola’s direction. She jumped up to her knees to catch it, clutching it in her hands, letting out another sob.
“It’s just an enchanted band. It’s just fine. You are just fine.” Xethra said, an edge to her voice.
Keola glared daggers at her. “Has anyone ever taken anything you treasure?”
“I am Forsaken. Now rethink your question. Carefully.” Xethra growled.
Keola’s expression softened to one of melancholy. She lowered her head, still tightly gripping her most prized possession. Silence stood between them in the room for at least a few minutes. Xethra was the first to move. She took a step towards Keola and held out her hand. “I’ll put it back on for you.”
Keola gave her a startled look, clutching the band against her chest. Xethra rolled her eyes. “No stealing. Now let me put it back on.”
Keola slowly stood and handed the glittery piece to Xethra, turning around to face the wall. Xethra grabbed the tuft and the end of Keola’s tail and gave it a little tug before slowly sliding the band up the length of her tail to its proper resting place. She gave Keola’s backside a gentle pat. “There. No harm done.”
Keola slowly turned around. “You could have just asked to see it.”
“Something as treasured as that? No.” Xethra said simply. “You would say no.”
“You don’t really know that.”
“I do. It was meant for you. “ Xethra held up her wrist, angrily scarred. “It was made that way. As a link. Not meant to be severed. You knew that. I had to be sure.”
“I’m….not sure what you mean.” Keola said softly.
Xethra threw her hands up into the air and burst out harshly. “He loves you, twit.”
“Well….I know that.” Keola said, her muzzle flushing pink.
Xethra shrugged and went to brush past Keola, stopping to grab her sleeve and roughly tug her down. Keola yelped but froze as Xethra’s hot breath brushed past her ear. “If he ever hurts you…I will murder him.”
“Huh?” Keola startled, struggling to balance herself. Xethra let go of her sleeve and went back to crouching on the chair. Keola inspected her tunic for any damage, and then turned to watch her rock a little in the chair. Xethra couldn’t be reached anymore – she was tired and had abruptly ended the social transaction. It was time for Keola to leave.
Shouldering her bag and pausing at the sound of clinking vials, Keola turned to give Xethra one more long, concerned look. Xethra was known for being pushy, eccentric, blunt and rather random in her actions. But Keola knew she wasn’t well. Xethra had always personally taken concern to her, and Keola feared she knew the reasons why. The facts had never been spoken but it was understood. Keola would take Xethra’s place one day.
Keola slipped out of the tiny flat, closing the door behind her with a swift tug. She felt for the silvery band, secure against the base of her tail again. Her most treasured possession was more than just a beautiful charm. It was a symbol of love, honor, and dedication. Keola knew that now more than ever.
Tags: Keola, Xethra
Category:Horde Stories