Snow, Flame, Darkness and Light

(( This story is a cross-realm fiction since I have always wanted to involve two (or more) of my characters in a same story although they can't ever truly meet in-game. Feedback about both style and content is welcome, naturally. ))
==Part 1==
Icecrown was as dark and cold as always. Aenor kept up a relatively brisk pace as he made his way towards the tower in Crusader's Pinnacle. The tall stone building was one of the few constructions at the Pinnacle which gave shelter from the chilling wind and coldness, and so it had been reserved for commanders's use: discussing strategies, planning mission and giving out sorties, such as now. Most of normal crusaders still spent their time at the Argent Vanguard, and Aenor too had been resting there when a request to see Crusade Commander Entreri had been delivered to him. He slowed down his jogging as he neared the slope leading to the tower and changed it into fast when he started climbing upwards. The time spent in Northrend might have made him a little more resilient, but he was still far from being very athletic. He didn't want to give a bad impression by reporting to the commander while out of breath.
After several minutes, Aenor reached the top of the hill where the tower stood. He greeted the other Argents and knocked on the door of the tower, waiting a few seconds before opening it. He was immediately greeted with a gush of what seemed alluringly warm air though it was hardly above zero. Crusade Commander Entreri was standing inside behind a small table filled with papers, and he wordlessly invited the Arcanist to come inside with a small nod. Aenor closed the door behind him and stood at attention.
”Commander Entreri. I have come as requested”, Aenor said and saluted the commander respectfully.
”Crusader Dawnblade”, the dark-skinned man spoke and answered the salute. ”You came fast. Very good. You might be just the person we need.”
Only then Aenor truly noticed the third person inside the tower. A human woman was standing opposite to Entreri and eyed him with apparent curiosity. Judging from her attire – a layered robe, thick gloves and large shoulderpads, all in the same crimson colour – she was a mage like him, and Aenor thought he could sense a hint of prickling, wild magic radiating from the woman. A Pyromancer, if he had to guess.
Entreri gestured Aenor to come closer.
”We have received reports of a necromancer raising the fallen soldiers and gathering undead in the easter parts of Icecrown,” Entreri spoke and tapped the mentioned area with his index finger. ”In fact, latest sighting has come from near the Silent Vigil. That is quite close to the tournament grounds – too close. The Scourge may be scattered, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't try anything.”
Aenor nodded a little unsurely. It wasn't hard to guess that the commander would order him to seek and defeat the necromancer, but it seemed a little unusual and even risky to send just one or two persons to track one enemy.
”Since our forces are still scattered across Icecrown, we cannot afford to send a large army of soldiers against this enemy even if he posed a threat to us. Furthermore, the necromancer is apparently not only a skilled wielder of magic but also elusive, and thus we thought that another spellcaster might know the best how to deal with him.”
”Fighting fire with fire, eh,” the woman mused and smirked. ”Sounds like a plan to me.”
”Your skill with defensive spells and other slightly unorthodox magic has been noted, Dawnblade, and therefore we would like you to accompany lady Northvale on the mission of finding and destroying the vile sorcerer,” Commander Entreri said and gestured at the red-clad woman. ”The combination of your wizardry should be enough to vanquish him.”
”Understood, sir,” Aenor answered and turned his eyes to the woman, bowing lightly. ”I'm honoured to work with you, ah... lady Northvale.”
”Oh, come on, no need for formalities with me”, the female mage answered, seeming even slightly flustered. She took a few steps towards Aenor and reached her left hand towards him. Aenor blinked at the hand a few times before carefully taking it.”You're Aenor, aren't you? Just call me Marika – I like it better that way,” the woman continued and shook Aenor's hand with a light smile. ”Nice to meet you.”
”Nice to meet you too... um, Marika,” Aenor replied a bit hesitantly.
”Great. Now, then...” Marika let go of his hand and turned back to look at Commander Entreri again, ”when should we get going?”
”As soon as possible,” the man answered simply. ”I would prefer you to leave already today, if that is possible.”
”If I can get to go and gather my equipment from the Vanguard, Commander, I would be ready to leave immediately afterwards,” Aenor said.”Excellent. We will provide you with mounts for the task as it is possible you will have to fly around a bit. Report to me once you have confronted the necromancer and made your way back safely; while we expect you to try to do no less than to kill him, it is not worth losing your lives.”
”Understood, sir.””You are dismissed now, Crusader and Associate,” Crusade Commander said finally. ”May the Light be with you.”
Aenor and Marika stood at attention and saluted him with respect before exiting the building and closing the door behind them.
”It might be better to grab your wyvern here and fly to the Vanguard to pick your stuff," Marika said once they had closed the door and stepped outside. ”Do you want me to wait you here or come with you?”
”Ah... just wait here. It shouldn't take long”, Aenor answered.
”Alrighty. I'll see you in a moment, then,” Marika said in a quite easy-going manner with a small waving hand-gesture.
Aenor hurried to the stable master and chose a suitably tame-looking wyvern from the few animals resting atop their perches. It took him only a moment to fly to the Vanguard, gather his few possessions and ride back, but Marika was already waiting him on a snow-feathered Griffon when he arrived. She looked at Aenor's rune-embroidered bag for a moment.
”That's all you need?” she half stated and half asked, and Aenor nodded as an answer. She smiles lightly back. "Okay. Let's get going, I guess.”