The decision.

Isabis slowly made her way to the gates of Stormwind. Again, for the average citizen the day was perfect. The air was filled with the scent of baked bread, iron being melted and the occasional traveller deprived of a bath for to long. Salesman and woman could be heard yelling that their products were the best in Stormwind and even Azeroth, the bell of the Auction house could be heard constantly, children chased after a lost squirrel, all of them carrying a leash probably claiming the poor creature for themselves if caught. The overall content mood of the people she passed started to frustrate her. The feeling of powerlessness began to sting.

“Mithril dagger, set with tiger’s eye and beautiful chalcedony! Well balanced!” a typical salesman like voice yelled.

He held the blade above his head. He balanced the dagger on his index finger, probably to proof to the potential buyer it was really well balanced. He pointed what seemed to be a small copper bell at the people yelling their offer of gold.

Isabis turned to her right, and entered the auction house. She was intrigued by the blade. For no clear reason she wanted to have it.

“Mithril dagger! Going for three gold! Do I have more then three gold!” the man yelled.

Isabis raised her hand.

“Three gold and fifty silver!” the auctioneer yelled.

A green haired gnome keen on the blade raised his hand.

“Four gold! Do I have more then four gold!” the auctioneer yelled.

Isabis raised her hand.

“Four gold and fifty silver!”

Isabis raised her hand again, clearly disappointing the gnome. His pouch didn’t reach so it seemed.

“Five gold! We have five gold. Five gold! Anyone? Going once, going twice – Sold! To the lady in the back.” he made clear the deal was made and rang the copper bell.

The gnome glared at Isabis, but she couldn’t care less. She took the blade and made a right turn continuing her walk to the gates of Stormwind.

More to come later this day!

Isabis walked past the gates. The street in front of Stormwind was teeming with life. Caravans packed with goods zigzagged over the road resulting in a few frustrated citizens raising their fist in anger, guards inspecting a few travellers who themselves were complaining to be good tax-payers and by the looks of it didn’t like the treatment, children playing hide and seek and another few more daring ones annoyed the guards by throwing little pebbles against their armour, knowing they’d be faster than the guards sprinting, or so they hoped.

Isabis stopped to hand a few beggars some silver coins, she then continued her way through Goldshire and took the road to Northshire.

She arrived and the sun was setting. The bells of the abbey rang letting Elwynn know what time it was. Northshire looked peaceful, and much more at ease then Stormwind. She made her way to the abbey and opened the doors.

“Hello?” she yelled.

No response. Her voice echoed through the stone halls, the multiple hello’s playing tag.

“Corleth?” she asked without raising her voice this time.

Corleth walked out of a room he looked surprised, and it quickly made room for worry.

“Isabis” he said with a calm voice.

Isabis turned around to face Corleth and for a moment she was overwhelmed with joy, but that quickly collapsed into fear. Fear that perhaps this wasn’t real and that the man she cared so much about was a mere illusion manifested by the woman haunting her. Everything felt surreal to Isabis. She was unable to separate fact from fiction.

“Are you really Corleth? Or are you her?” she asked, her voice shaking with fear and doubt.

“What are you talking about? This better not be a joke, Isabis” Corleth said with a firm tone.

Isabis looked at Corleth her eyes filled with tears. She felt sorry, sorry for her behaviour. For not being able to see or feel the difference between the illusions and reality. In a way she had the feeling she had failed everything she stood for in her life. She wasn’t a healer. She was a failure. A weak personality sensitive to manipulation.

“I’m sorry, it’s just that – I can’t see the difference anymore. She’s making me mad, Corleth. She’s making me mad.”

Corleth at first didn’t respond. He looked at Isabis. Isabis had the feeling he was analysing her words and posture. She thought he’d come with an answer. She knew he would. He had to!

“I really don’t know what I can do about this” Corleth said.

Isabis felt every letter in those words stabbing her in the heart. If Corleth wasn’t able to help her, then who would? Was she to roam Azeroth, running for the words, the nightmares, the visions? Wouldn’t it be better is she’d just give in, maybe she would be able to wield the shadow for the bette…

“Come with me to my quarters” Corleth said.

He reached out his hand and Isabis took it following Corleth into his room. Now Isabis couldn’t resist the urge to cry. She didn’t care if Corleth wasn’t who he said he was, if this was yet again a trap, she’d give in. She stepped forward and grabbed Corleth around his neck. Tears quickly followed and rushed down her face. Her embrace must have felt like someone holding on to a rope hanging between him and oblivion.

“Have faith Isabis. No harm will overcome you while you’re here” he said with a calm and friendly voice.

She wanted to believe that. She wanted to believe that this building would be her personal shield, warding her from the woman. That she could close her eyes, and fall asleep. The kind of sleep she took for granted for all these years.

Isabis, as if something sacred her, released Corleth, took a step back and drew the mithril dagger with a certain grace. She placed the tip of the blade against Corleth’s neck. Corleth remained absolutely calm observing Isabis’s intention.

Isabis seemed emotionless for a moment, and then exhaled. With her exhale she lowered the blade turned the weapon around, the tip now against her chest. With one hand she held the dagger, with the other she took Corleth’s hand guiding it to the hilt.

“Do it” she said despertatly.

Clearly Corleth was confused, but something about him made Isabis think he had doubts. Doubts waiting to be exploited.

“You’re a member of Anethion. It’s your duty to destroy demons. If I die, she dies. NOW DO IT!” she yelled.

Corleth now took the hilt with two hands. Isabis closed her eyes, certain Corleth was finally going to end her agony. Corleth raised the dagger to Isabis’s throat, applying some pressure. Isabis felt the blade shaking, and could hear Corleth’s breath racing.

The scent coming from corleth reminded her of incense. She had always liked that smell, it reminded her of the same incense her mother burned while praying before bed time. She would join her in prayer, making her first steps into becoming a healer. She longed for that time. Being fearless, protected by the huge walls of Gilneas and protected by the loving embrace of her parents.

“Do it!” Isabis commanded Corleth.

“Do it now! It’s your duty, Corleth!” she screamed.

Corleth applied a little more pressure and then threw the blade to the ground. Isabis fell to her knees.

“Why?” she begged.

“ I don’t understand. You can help me, you have to help me.” she stated in pure desperation.

Corleth stared blankly to the wall behind Isabis. Isabis muttered a few words, not understandable. Her exhaustion got the better of her, and she fell asleep, asleep to the realm slowly destroying her sanity. Corleth eyes slowly began moving, his blank expression making way for tears of his own. He picked up Isabis and asked a fellow member of his order to prepare a room for his ‘guest’.

“You have to stay here for now, Isabis. Here you’ll be safe” he whispered in her ear.

Isabis’s facial expressions betrayed the ordeal she was facing while Corleth carried her to the room. The bells of the abbey rang again.

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