Ripples of Shadow
Chapter 6 - Hark the Dragon's Call

In the cold, dank bed chambers she’d been given, Mitsume stirred from a restless sleep from a knock at her door. The room was spacious enough, yet it lacked any sort of luster or real comfort. The bed itself was carved from a solid slab of stone, covered with a thin straw mattress. Piles of blankets helped soften the stone on her backside, yet it was still far from the beds back in Stormwind. Throwing back her warm blankets she cursed under her breath. Shivering she reached for her cloak at the end of the bed. Lined with wolf fur, it provided adequate protection from the chill night air, much better than her thin shift. She lit the lamp standing on her bed side table and headed for the door. Another knock produced a grunt from her throat. She swung the door open so vehemently that it made the man waiting jump.

“What in the name of the Lig-“ She stopped mid sentence as Rash pushed passed her into the room holding his fore-finger to his lips. “Rash what on earth are you doing here? I realize you saved my life but I am not that type of girl!”

Rash considered her for a moment, studying her, a smile spreading across his face. “Ha! No, you are not Mitsume, but then again that’s not why I am here, please close the door.” Mitsume acquiesced, crimson blooming in her cheeks as she drew the cloak around her body tighter. She was suddenly all too aware that only her night-shift was under it. He is not interested in me? Hmmpff. Mitsume tapped her foot and arched an eyebrow at the man standing across from her. “Right. Yes well, here.” It was Rash’s turn to blush as he drew a crumpled parchment from his coat and handed it to her.

As she took it from him, her cloak slipped a little, revealing a little of her more than ample bosom. She smiled; sometimes it was nice to entice men…just a little. As Mitsume read the letter, her amusement faded and was replaced with worry. “Rash, have you read this?” The man shook his head. Unlikely that he hadn’t. She wasn’t sure how far she could trust him…although Moria placed her faith in him. Shaking away unpleasant thoughts she thrust the letter back into the parchment, and steadying it in the air with a bit of arcane magic, she burst it into flames. Ash fell to the floor, as did Rash’s jaw.

“Mitsume!” He hissed, barely keeping his voice down. “Have you any idea the trouble I took to get that letter here! And now you burn it!” Rash almost shrieked the last. His eyes held a furious intensity, and he now loomed over her, hands gripping her arms. Realizing what he had done, he released her and hurriedly took a few steps back. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to grab you.” The intensity had left his eyes and was replaced with…guilt?

“No Rash, it is I that should be sorry. I should have given you some warning of my intentions. However, that being said, that letter had to be burned. I would not want to risk any of Moria’s contacts being found out, no matter how clever they are.” Sighing Mitsume took her eyes from the man and looked around the room. On the side of the bed was a table with a pitcher of mulled wine and two mugs sitting beside the lamp she had lit. She strode across the stone floor to the dresser, toes curling from the cold and poured some wine into a mug. After taking a long swallow she plumped down on the bed. “I’m afraid we must leave first thing in the morning Rash.”

“We? With all due respect, I’ve done my part. I have no further obligations to you.” Rash stood firmly in the center of the room, arms folded across his chest and eyeing her curiously as she fidgeted on the bed. Finding a comfortable spot on the lumpy mattress was all but impossible!

“Obligations?” She quirked an eyebrow at him and smiled. Mitsume pulled a stray strand of hair dangling from her bangs and tucked it behind an ear. “No, I suppose you do not at that. However, where I am headed I may need…protection.” She glanced up at him. A considering look again took hold of his face. While he weighed his options, Mitsume took the other mug on the nightstand and filled it with wine, and held it up for Rash with an innocent look on her face.

He glanced at the mug in her hand and smiled again. “Trying to persuade my decision with a little drink? Ha! No thank you. I will, however, think about your proposal.” Rash’s grin had widened until it was about to split his face in two. “By your leave, m’lady.” Rash flourished a bow elegant enough for any court and dashed out of the room.

Mitsume replaced the second mug of wine on the table and sighed. Men could be so difficult at times. Her eyes glazed over as she stared at the door to her room. Stared through it. Thoughts of the Scourge danced in her head, and battles past and present. Yet somehow thoughts of that man kept creeping in. Well he does have a strong face… Mitsume gave herself a shake, and set the now empty mug she was sipping from on the table, beside the other. “You’re not a silly little girl at the academy anymore.” She muttered under her breath. Mitsume swung her feet onto the bed and quickly covered herself in blankets. She blew out the lamp beside her, and even as her head hit the pillow dreams came to her. Dreams of Rash saving her from a dozen Scourge, no a hundred…no a thousand…with nothing but his sword, no his bare hands…

.....

Rash scrubbed a hand through his hair as he walked through the corridors of Aerie Peak’s inner bowels. His thoughts strayed to Mitsume, sitting on her bed in nothing but her shift and a cloak. By the Light women were as confusing as could be! First she gets angry with him for his intentions, even though she misconstrued his intentions! Then after he corrected her, she tried to entice him!

“Bah!” Rash quickened his pace. It was cold, and his own bed was awfully inviting at that moment. His ears perked at a noise in the distance. It sounded like…singing?