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1Dariusz looked into the fire, hardly noticing the Scions as they entered, as if he were entranced. He looked markedly different than the last time any of them had looked upon him. The once-meticulously groomed magister’s hair was draped about his shoulder and chest, and it was also apparent that he had grown a beard.
2Such things may happen when one spends an extended time in seclusion. Having spent most of his time in a tower in northern Silvermoon for the recent months, it seemed there were certain rituals that he had forsaken. The only times he would be seen would be in the capital. His brother had come to him a week prior to this gathering.
3Dariusz  sat upon a chair, a table at his left holding a tray full of thistle cigars, along with a cask of Hearthglen Ambrosia. It was damned near a throne, an adorned chair pointed southwest, providing a wide vantage point over the Court of the Sun. A gift given to him through dedication to the Capital—which probably would have never been awarded if they had known his true intentions.
4Surveillance report,” whispered the Mage, sensing Mariusz’s presence. He remained motionless, his gaze moving slowly over the distant horizon, the buzz washing over his forehead, soothing him. It was a long day. The Demon Hunter approached, and folded his hands. “It is all the same, brother. Rommath almost never leaves his side, and if not him, he is always surrounded by a contingent of soldiers. We’ve been doing this for months—when will we accept that this is a fruitless endeavor?”
5After a deep breath and a grin that would subsequently emerge from the act of reminiscing, he would reply. “You know...You weren’t there, Mariusz, but during the war in the Frozen North... the alliance and the horde were united, and brought war directly to the front door of the Lich King. The fortified front of the Icecrown Citadel.”
6Dariusz continued. “It was a place called the Wrath Gate. It took months to get there... and things went terribly wrong...” Dariusz would rise from his chair. “People died... and did the combined forces fracture, with distrust driving them apart? Yes. But it also didn’t stop them from going -around-, the two respective sides carving their own way through IceCrown and making their way to the back door of the citadel.”
7Dariusz shrugged. “Of course, history flows from there.” Dariusz would turn to look at his brother. “We do not give up. We keep our respective vigils and we find a way. I refuse, on pain of death, to continue to allow our people to be known as subservient lackeys in a war without honor. My ideals may bring me to my grave, but if one does not stand for anything, they may as well lay down and die just the same.”
8The room was silent. Dariusz looked back toward his brother. Mariusz nodded. “There’s something else...” “Brother... the Scions send word of Winter’s Veil. Not something I care for in particular, but Lady Lomeriel insisted.” An outstretched arm would present the envelope to the Magister. “What say thee?”
9The Magister looked at him briefly. He wordlessly took the envelope, and held it for a moment in his hands, inspecting the seal. Ah.. the dragon crest. It was them, indeed. He turned and walked toward his desk, opened a drawer, and produced a small dagger. Using this, he opened it, and unfolded the letter. 
10
11His hazy eyes perused through the sentences until they reached its conclusion. He looked up at Mariusz, who still awaited his response. His words came out a tad raspier than usual, as if his voice weren’t used in eons and dust had to clear from his vocal chords to deliver the appropriate timbre. “Verily... Mariusz... I...”(edited)
12Serenity Lighthammer, who had been standing by the door, interjected. “Dariusz... is it not time for you to see the world again?” Dariusz looked toward where the Paladin faithfully stood guard. There was a look of frustration on her face, mixed with a tinge of sadness. “How long must one stay here, toiling about in the Capital putting up some kind of act as if they’ve a nobler cause?”
13The Mage pondered her words, but then narrowed his eyes. “The Scions accepted that I decided to serve the People. They’ve never questioned that.” The Paladin approached him. “You know that your presence would mean the world to them. The Lomeriels would have it no other way. And by The Light... how long must one stay in a tower looking down upon a life they used to know before they decide to join the people below and live it once in a while?“
14Dariusz;s eyes moved from his bodyguard, to his brother, and once more to Serenity. He sighed. “All right...” he said. “Perhaps I shall do my duty for once... after all... it was one of the few things I did -correctly-.” Serenity smiled. “About time. I’ll have the handmaiden ready your things.... are you sure you want to show up like this, though? They....probably won’t recognize you.” Dariusz shot her a look and grumbled.
15
16“A little bit of a clean up is in order, Lord Frostblade. You don’t want the wards going off and chaos to ensue.”  Dariusz rolled his eyes.  “Very well.”
17Dariusz looked up from the fire.
18“My beloved Scions...   we gather here once more for Winter's Veil.  Before this fire.  Last year, I spake to thee of togetherness...  this year...  I speak to thee... of perseverance.”
19Dariusz swallowed, and cleared his throat.  “Before this commences, I ask thee thy forgiveness.  I’ve not been part of this conflict, and have only heard stories as they’ve come back from the front.  Destiny called me to serve in the capital."
20"I do not know when I will fight again...  I don’t know if I will -ever- fight again.  We cannot barter with destiny, she dictates all."
21Dariusz's eyes move over the wooden trim just below the ceiling to his left.
22"I only know of the duty now before me...  but for this evening... it has been supplanted....  and it is an honor.  I think the world of the Lomeriels, and the rest of thee.”
23Dariusz looks back into the fire.
24“Scions....  friends....We look into this fire, gathered about it, one of the only lights to be found in a massive, frozen wasteland.  Unbeknownst to most, it’s more than just a gathering in the Wintersong Garrison.”
25It is a metaphor... for life.”
26Dariusz paused, allowing the sentence to sink in.
27Dariusz continues, tilting his head some.  "It is something to be fascinated with, the mortal experience...  None of us remember, but we were all infants, once.  What happens to us, when we are brought into this world?  What is the first thing that we feel?"
28Dariusz blinks.  His voice softens.  "The cold."
29Dariusz's eyes rise from the fire.  "Which is why the first thing an infant does... is cry.  It is true for all of us.  Be thee a Magister, or a scarred, battle-hardened paladin, or warrior.  Ultimately, we all begin, and end, the same."
30“The world is a cold place.  Hell, the universe is.  I heard tales come from those who fought in the Nighthold against Star Augar Etraeus..."
31Dariusz nods.  "Word is that when the walls flew away from his lair, the heroes who stood against him felt solar winds that chilled them all to the bone.  So we know...  that feeling is everywhere."
32Dariusz looks at Demytrya.  "We know it from birth, we know it from our world, we know that it exists beyond it. Most of all however, we all know of the cold from our own respective experiences."
33Dariusz looks at Lledwyn.  "Presently, and collectively, we stand upon a fork in the road.  Some of us have held steadfast to our allegiances, others have faltered."
34Dariusz looks forward and points at himself.  "I for one have taken issue with this conflict from the very beginning of it."
35Upon the Legion's defeat, it would have been best for the Horde and the Alliance to pool their resources and find some way to get the damned Titan's sword plunged within our planet unsheathed….
36Dariusz shakes his head.  “….but alas, ignorance abounds.  Old ways die hard."
37"I wish we were wiser—one would think we should be by now.  And as these thoughts of frustration with the outside world arrive, I look inward.  Why do I expect so much? Why do I want things to make sense?"
38Dariusz shrugs.
39"Does one chalk it up to being young and naive?  Is true wisdom in this world inexplicably tied to complacency?”
40Dariusz shifts, a hand raising to scratch the back of his head.  "I've seen much...  but I'm young for an elf.  I was thrust into adulthood the day after Arthas Menethil came to slaughter our people.  Orphaned."(edited)
41“My only family left, my brother, disappeared long before that.  I thought him dead until I saw him with fiery eyes and warglaives.”
42Dariusz looks toward Aeydark.  “I spent those nights with our younglings, in a tower in the Court of the Sun.  I was charged by Voren’thal the Seer to watch over them.  Of course, he merely went by Voren’thal, back then.”
43Dariusz looks  toward Sol. “We sat in that tower, hearing the sounds of war, the crashing of sword against shield, the explosions of spells, the cries of our people.  And none of us knew that we were in the process of being orphaned, their protector included.”
44“All we had were each other, and candlelight.”
45Dariusz pauses, running his tongue over his lips before continuing.  “My parents died at the front lines.  They sacrificed themselves as a means of subterfuge, to divert Arthas’s forces away from the tower.  But not everyone becomes part of history.”
46Dariusz nods.  "I remember to this day, as a boy, walking to the front of the city, flanked by other children looking for their mothers and fathers.  The emptiness.  The incredible sense of loss.  The feeling that our very world was stolen from us… but we persevered.”
47“Voren’thal retrieved me, and eventually I joined Prince Kael’s expedition to Outland.  I was stationed at Tempest Keep.  History flows from there.  There were so many nights I would look out into the cosmos, wondering what destiny held for us.”
48"Our people had a choice.  Some decided that accepting the fel energy was not their way and instead sought refuge with those who had forsaken us.  Prince Kael… he decided that we persevere by any means necessary.”
49Dariusz smiles.  “Thus the glow of our eyes.  I see that some of you have accepted a new light.  For others, wel… again.  Old habits die hard.”  The Magister would grin and take a sip of Hearthglen Ambrosia.
50Kael…  before he was corrupted, his heart was so pure.  It is that level of love for our kindred that we should all have.  To do what we must to get through whatever has been thrust upon us.  Even if through unorthodox means.  It is that love, and simultaneous rage against the dying of the light, that I remember.”
51"So inspiring…”
52Dariusz takes a deep breath.  “I also remember when we learned of what happened to our beloved Sylvanas Windrunner, after the siege.  And ‘twas tragic indeed.  It is still tragic to this day.  I remember, during the days of the Crusade, when I laid my eyes upon her for the first time.”
53Dariusz's eyebrows furrowed.  “It was… wrong…  it was almost as if she was…  this.. animated… statue…  Her beautiful elven features remained… but… the… grey… the stone-like shade of her flesh…”
54“I dared not say a word.  All I knew is that she was a hero, and had love enough for her people to bring them to the Horde.  I questioned nothing back then.”
55Dariusz's expression changes, to a look of slight anger.  “I’m older now.  And now I question -everything.-.  And I don’t believe I’m alone in that sentiment.  I’m sure there were various periods over the years that we were all beginning to question the Banshee Queen’s methods.”
56“At least Prince Kael was outright.  As much as it brought sorrow to our collective hearts, his slaying was unavoidable.  It had to be done.  Here….  What do we do?  This woman, who was a loyal protector of her people, of her city, her homeland and heritage…”
57“She now has us… slaying… younglings…”
58Dariusz bows his head.  “There are some that would agree with this.  I’ve no doubt that there are some of us, elves included--that would say ‘better they be slain young, than grow to be another soldier with a potential knife to our throat…”
59"Myself…  I know…. I can only think…  what was the expression in their eyes?  The little ones in Tel’drassil…  was it not unlike us?  As we sat in that tower, hearing the cries of our people?  Are we no better than the lifeless murderers that slew our loved ones?  Is this where we have been lead?”
60“Are our destinies to have a hand in dishonor and genocide?  Are we to be complicit to injustice and in bloodlust?”
61Dariusz raises his eyes, and looks over everyone in the room.  “…. Is this what we’ve become….?”
62Dariusz curls a fist, and shakes his head, his tone gaining a hint of venom.  “I say to thee, I will -not- have a hand in it.  I say to thee, -no.-”
63“We will persevere.  All of you, in this room.  You’ve a heart.  You know what is right and what is wrong!  You know that this is not right!  And while we may be locked in this war, and there is no going back, we must remember that we are not simply cannon fodder! We must stand!”
64Dariusz calms, his voice softening.  “We are not our leaders collective intentions.  It is up to us… to be better.  To become something more than those who walk lock step towards destruction….  It is up to us…. to be light.  To persevere.”
65Dariusz would raise the glass of Hearthglen Ambrosia to his lips, taking a sip, and speak again.  “This year…  I have endured much.  The most deeply cutting, was the loss of someone I once knew.  I remembered the both of us arriving on Sunstrider Island, eager to learn.”
66Dariusz shook his head, a sad smile writing it’s way across his face.  “As children, we often cast our spells in competition.  We would boast, and brag, comparing the speed in which we cast, the measure of devastation left upon our little practice targets.  Eventually, we both became men, and left such things behind.”
67“This year, he fell…  and left behind two sons…”
68Dariusz fell silent a moment.  The memories briefly floated over his mind.
69“War claimed him.  I visited his family, offered to them my condolences and service in their time of woe and need.  I looked upon him in his resting place, and I could only think… what more could there have been?”
70"Here lie a man that would never see another sunrise, or sunset.  Hear the laughter of his children, see the affectionate grin of his wife upon his return.  His story… ended.  With so many strings left to be tied together, so much hardship for his kin to endure.”
71“It was at that moment that I spoke words in silence, thanked him for the memories, respecting him for his devotion to his people…  and realized… how very alive… I still was.  Sometimes such tragedies are necessary for one to make such a realization.”
72Dariusz set his drink down before the fire.
73“The day after… I left for the capital…  and I’ve hardly been seen since.  But something about all of that spoke to me…”
74Dariusz closes his eyes.  “My beloved Scions, our lives are -so- short.  It does not matter that we Sin’dorei live for multiple millennia-  it can all be gone.  In an instant.  All it takes is one bad choice.”
75“Thou shalt not spend thy days in sorrow.  It is a waste.  Think of all thy inaction.  Think of thy own excuses.  Think of thy own self-barriers that thou wouldst create, before even taking into consideration those in the outside world.  There’s no time for them.  It simply isn’t afforded.”
76Dariusz opens his eyes, and looks over everyone in attendance.  “Every second brings us closer to the end.  So the question is…  what wilt thou do with it?  Wilt thou falter, or persevere?”
77Dariusz nods.  “I believe I speak for my beloved Scions when I personally say the latter.”
78“We Scions.  We gather here every single year because we -are- this fire.”
79"This fire... this same persistent light... is in.. each and every one of us.  In some of us, it flickers and dies.  Sometimes, the world is too much.  Sometimes, we find ourselves on the brink of giving up."
80"However... we are all here in this room, because despite being faced with that darkness, we refused to give in.  We refuse to let the fire die.  We refuse to see smoldering ashes, and the smoke rising from what used to be our dreams, aspirations..."
81"-and everything that we could be..."
82Dariusz shakes his head.
83"No.  Each time it faltered, we harvested more wood.  Made of friendship.  Love.  And we cast it upon that dying fire, did we not?"
84"Each time, did we not see it come back alive?  Blazing brighter than it ever had before?"
85“As a wise man once said… if thou art going through hell… keep going.”
86"I stand before thee a wiser and better man for all of the things that I have endured.  As terrible as my hardships were, I would go through them again to become even stronger.  I look forward to what destiny may bring."
87"I look forward to the riches that come years after my daily toil.  I look forward to the new friends I make, and the dear friends I keep."
88Dariusz smiles.
89"While I may be restrained to the capital, and bound to its politics, I shall always be a Scion of Erudition."