valerian-felbane

[valerian-felbane]

@aerodraws did this for Ms. Felbane here and I’m so pleeeased. It’s so gooood.

[valerian-felbane]

The Red Violin (1998) | dir. François Girard

[valerian-felbane]

A Moon no more.

(Warning: mentions of violence and death.)

The swamp bog and humidity was in short an annoyance. The demons within we’re just as easily bothered by it as the woman who controlled them. ‘Why not come in as we are and make a fool of this thing we seek?’ One demon asked in her mind. ‘Why not make it obvious the mistakes they’ve made?’ The response? “They will suffer in time for their mistakes. We seek more then one. One will have to do for now.” The woman had taken on the appearance of a Ren’dorei male. Darkened skin with rippling void striking off of his emancipated form. A man that had long been addicted to a drug often found in Quel’thalas.

Bloodthistle. That addictive and hard to obtain drug especially this far south. The Swamp of Sorrows was neutral ground, no wonder shady dealers sought to meet and beat the unwilling customers that didn’t bring enough payment. A safe harbor from either factions law. Not today. The illidari masterfully disguised herself as the victim of this deal, the true man being left in Stormwind for treatment, for aid to break his addiction.

She’d gotten to the place earlier, scoped it out. The marsh was full of bugs, slimes, and unsavory creatures. No people however, not here on the patch of marsh grass and weeds the victim had been instructed to meet the dealer in. Not even a passing traveler. An hour passed, then two. ‘Where is this dealer? Are you certain our information is correct?’ One demon asked. ‘This could be a set up. Be on your guard. Hunter.’ The second hissed into her mind. All three beings were alert, seeking prey on a hunt the three could for once agree upon. A drug cartel had taken the illidari’s family from her. An uncle died trying to stop them.

Not her. Not today.

Finally. The dealer arrived. “There you are! You picked the wrong patch you idiot.” The woman rolled her eyes as she approached. “Do you have your payment ready? You better have it or I’m not giving you anything Aphellos.” So that was his name. The one she’d taken an appearance of. When she’d met him he stuttered, had an odd way of speaking and moving. This would be mimicked as ‘he’ approached now. “I-I do h-have I-it. Yes. D-d you h-have th-the goods?” The woman nodded to him. “Of course I do you idiot. Have they rotted your mind? Payment first!”

She shoved a hand out for payment. He smiled. “Of C-course. Any...anything for you.” The illidari grinned. In a horrifying fashion the illusion cracked, giving way to the demon hunter behind it all. Wings struck out from the back of it, a clawed hand gripped the dealers and she drew her incredibly close. “For all of the precautions you and your cards take it is incredibly easy to find you.”

Before long the dealer was faced with the true form of what stood before her. A very angered hunter with wings that were now used to coil around the dealer, drawing her in close. “H-hey now you don’t have to do this! What do you want? I can get you anything you need if this is about someone ripping you off! It’s-...” The illidari cupped a hand over the woman’s mouth. For she didn’t need to make use of the arms, her wings kept the dealer in place. “Shhh shh...I have what I need right here.” She murmured, a long clawed thumb now traced the woman’s jawline, slicing into the skin. The dealer looked bewildered, wide eyed. She began to panic and howled in pain as her face was cut into so easily. ‘Keep hurting her.’ The demon commanded; in fact both demons in unity begged she continue on the path of pain. Torture. Cruelty. 

“I do...have to do this.” She cooed to the drug dealer. “I always have to right the wrongs committed by others...first it was the Burning Legion...then it was a war criminal. Now it’s you...and your carded people.” Her clawed hand stopped at the tip of the woman’s chin. The tip of the claw wiggling into the skin just a touch, the blood didn’t bother her any as it produced itself from the minor wounding. “Your little...gang...killed my uncle. Your little gang...ruins lives.” She smiled. “I am here to act as the vengeance for those you have ruined. To act as the preventative care for those saved today with your business being shut down.” 

The illidari held the woman’s neck now so gently, so carefully. Both hands clutched the throat as if it would snap at any moment. “A new moon is rising tonight, you will not be coming with it.” In just as brief of a moment as it had begun the swamp fell into a deathly silence. A neck had been cracked, the body went limp. The demons weren’t nearly as satisfied as the hunter was, though as she reminded them this was merely the beginning. The body would be left for the swamp, it would be better for the whole of Azeroth anyways. What wasn’t left was her calling card, the moon. A card she’d found in the mail just the day prior, dipped and dragged along the bloody face. She’d even tear the top of it to symbolize the death. 

The flight back to her home would be easy, swift. The card would dry out and she’d pack it away for now. Step one of her work had been done, a letter would be written to begin the next phase.

‘To whom it may concern,

You’re next. That is not a threat, that is a promise.’ 

There was no signature, only the card. The bloodied and torn moon dried and left over. 

The hunter had found her prey, the Golden Card Cartel would fall. One way or another. She learned the full deck of cards, the illidari even had a drawing on a board of every card. With the work of one she’d cross out the moon. “One down...seventy seventy seven to go.” 

( @the-elderarrow​ for mention of his plot.)

[valerian-felbane]

One More.

The winged illidari approached the Captain’s office, a soft knock on the door and she’d beckon her in. It was far too early in the morning for visitors the Captain knew that, but who would knock at three in the morning? “C’mon in. Wot can I do for-….Alara. Wot’s wrong?” It wasn’t like this particular illidari to willingly come into the guard captain’s office. In a firm tone the demonic woman spoke, her hellish gaze meeting the golden look of Morrowgrove’s own eyes. “I need your assistance, Captain.” Now most certainly Morrow knew something was wrong. She sat back in her office chair with a lofted brow, seeking any hint of emotion behind the armored and veiled creature before her. Like always there was nothing. A long pause between the two existed before the demonic woman spoke again. “I found the wreckage the harbor guard reported as having seen, the one you’d asked me to seek.”

There was a long pause again as both women stared at one another. “No…don’t tell me it’s who I think it-..” Before she could even finish the illidari deposited a broken necklace on the center desk. Its magic long since shattered and dissipated. “The wreckage contained azerite, whoever was on that boat is gone. No bodies near impact. No clues as to who did this either. Not unless you can read this book.” She’d set down a charred and waterlogged book next to the necklace, the glare met the Captain’s eyes again however. “This can wait.” Morrow paused mid air as she’d gone for the book initially. “Excuse you?” She asked this in a careful tone.

“While the Captain of the ship is presumed deceased I found a survivor. I need your help housing him for the night while we figure out where he can go.” Morrow stared, a survivor? “How is he?” She asked as she began to stand up. “He is not well, a leaf shakes less in a storm then this one. He has endured much and needs to be hidden from whomever has done this. I can be of assistance however, anything magical takes time to craft. I cannot make it so soon and he is too afraid right now to mention who tried to kill him too.” The winged illidari began to turn, both women opting to leave the office now. “We can take him in for the night and aid him in figurin’ it out when mornin’ comes. We owe it t’ th’ kid.” Morrow admitted.

Alara’s brow behind the veil lofted. “We owe it to him, Captain?” She paused, stopping the two to stare right at the worgen. “Yes, we owe -it-.” Morrow glared briefly. For a moment the worgen’s anger surfaced, bubbling over as lips curled back to reveal teeth. “Do no’ question it. We will find who did this t’ his ship. I have a dangerous feelin’ I can make a guess already.” The illidari stared. “A name then? Of your guess?” Certainly the illidari had plenty of questions, however for now she knew better then to ask with such a reaction appearing from her Captain.

The worgen paused, shaking her head. “No names. Only a thought. A drug cartel no’ from Stormwind. They’ve been meddlin’ into Alliance affairs t’ hook folks up t’ drugs. Makin’ victims of th’ war victims of addiction.” The worgen huffed, exhaling a puff of air through her nose. “Are you…alright? Alara?” She stopped, idly asking upon the realization of who the captain of the ship was. Alara paused, eyeing her up and down. “I will be fine when the hunt begins, Captain. There are others that need console more then I. I will begin my work come morning, there will be no escape for those seeking to harm the masses in this way.” The demon hunter nodded in her new mission, self given but important regardless. “I will inform the boy of where he will be staying this evening if the quarters I have in mind are permitted?” The worgen waved a hand. “Do it. Th’ kids in enough dangah there’s no need t’ stop half assed and risk more.” 

The two would depart, one headed out of Stormwind the other? The Stockades. 

An hour later. 

Keep reading

[valerian-felbane]

Commission of my friend’s @fenril demon hunter, Alara’shenu Felbane!  She likes to monch on magic for a snack and I love her.

[valerian-felbane]

Why?

Why the Alliance?

Why this family?

Why the demon inside my very soul?

Why the anguish?

Why the loneliness?!

Each question struck the illidari’s mind like an arrow in the dark. Every passing moment her ears rung louder and louder. Her gaze focused on a bright aura, a troll shaman. The illidari hissed in anger, barreling down the warpath to its very destruction.

A scream was heard, the final cry of life as the woman collided with the unsuspecting troll. She’d come from behind, dual warglaives piercing the exposed flesh of his backside. A simple jerk upwards and the blades ripped his lungs apart. The blades moved, the body squishing and groaning against the demonic woman’s strength. Only to give way as she granted the body rest in the dirt. It’s lifeless corpse spraying blood everywhere.

This wasn’t Argus, this wasn’t even the Ghostlands. That wasn’t an Amani, she guessed it a Darkspear. Perhaps a stray Zandalari. She was on the front, Arathi Highlands. A wonderful place truly. For someone like her seeking a bloodbath to forget it was a heaven. Then the voice...that nasty voice in the back of her mind.

“All of this killing Valerian does nothing but feed our anger.”

‘You’re complaining?’

“No...I just find the endless slaughter...boring? We could be so much more then just a mindless war machine. More then just....a body designed for the kill.”

‘You mean to say I’ve killed enough you’re bored now? You want me to go back?’ The illidari stood above the deceased troll ready to burst out laughing. The conversation in her mind continuing...

“No. I just want more for the both of us. You had a good little...thing going on there for awhile. Perhaps we could see what power could be taken at home?”

‘We discussed this, you are lucky I have not ended you. I would suffer a thousand years in the twisting nether to end your miserable life. Demon. I keep you for the power I have. Otherwise I’d be blind, sad, and probably dead. You have no army, no master to go running back to. You serve me and whatever I desire. Are we clear?’

The demon hissed in her mind. It over rime grunted and spoke up. “Yes. I understand, master.”

‘Good. I miss home...but what is home with nothing to go back to? Do you think she’ll be around still? Maybe her friends? What power is it you think we can grasp so easily?’

“A noble court is nothing small on this planet. It matters here. Political hierarchy. Given what you are on this...alliance I think you’ll need all we can get. You may even be mistaken for the average Sin’dorei if you hide your wings.”

‘You’re right...mmm...I have chosen this side after what I witnessed of Teldrassil. What they did to Valorian...I cannot stand by the men and women that killed the only family I’ve ever come to know. If I could find the forsaken responsible for his death I’d make it as slow...and painful...as possible.’

“I know. I know. You think this often. I can hear your every thought illidari. Now. Clean up the rest of this patrol and go back south. We’re done killing in mindless anger. Make the anger useful for us both.” It hissed again.

But it wasn’t wrong.

The illidari had been wanting to go home...now it had an excuse to. Even if it wasn’t the best reason out there. Now she could be home bound, ready to explore the south and perhaps find a calm to her storm. If that’s remotely possible.

(Yay. Thanks for reading. She’s not gone, just a snippet of where she’s been and what lead up to her rejoining the family further south. Lots of fighting has happened in Arathi.)

[valerian-felbane]

(This song tho.)

[valerian-felbane]

“I hate solitude, but I am afraid of intimacy. The substance of my life is a private conversation with myself which to turn into a dialogue would be equivalent to self-destruction.”

— Iris Murdoch, Under the Net (via books-n-quotes)

[valerian-felbane]

Lost, Now Found.

“Faster! We must move quickly now!” Two elves, running through the trees. The wind carried the howls of pain in the south. Darkshore. The once peaceful woods and home of the Kaldorei now a bloodbath for all to witness.

The two elves kept running, one an illidari was winged and on occasion used her wings to boost herself forward. Check every tree, look for those hidden in the shadows. The goal? Save the innocents. Do not fight unless we must.

For the Alliance could easily mistake the two for Horde scouts. Their gear marked for House Songheart. Tabards flying their colors, perhaps the blue would be off setting enough to have those of the Alliance do a double take in this situation. “Head for Lor’Danel! Surely the Horde haven’t gotten there yet.” The male elf called out to the illidari. She nodded, retorting “The main army no, scouts move as quickly as we do! They might be there already!”

The elves eventually made it, the Horde’s army in sight. A bloodbath was to continue, no mercy. No prisoners. That much was evident, the two worked in unison to find the civilians. Find mothers, fathers, children, the wounded. Get them to a hippogryph, a priestess, anything, and anyone that could get them out. Get them to a portal, find a ship people cried.

There aren’t enough ships for them all, but no one cared. For they must save as many as possible before the Horde finally crush the Darnassian army...

Then the true horror began. The army arrived, the male looked to the illidari. Wide eyed. “Why would they do this. What...purpose...” both Quel’dorei were left confused, in shock as the Horde bombarded Lor’Danel. With Teldrassil next up on the list. The soldiers were killing everyone. The male spotted a child with nobody running down the beach. She was just trying to get away. Get away from the arrows, the fire, all of it. A little Kaldorei child.

The male elf shouted. “Valerian! The little girl! We have to get her to safety!”

Valerian went wide eyed. Valorian didn’t see it, but she did. In the shadows forsaken scouts lurked behind the child. They used the child as bait to catch the Alliance soldiers or civilians out. “VALORIAN! ITS A TRAP!” The illidari shrieked. But it was too late...

The ranger had ran, bolting down the shoreline. He had one goal, to save the child. It’s what his wife would have wanted, what his morals and family tell him to. Be good, save the future of our world.

But that’s not what the Dark Ranger in the shadows believed. She revealed herself, charging the Quel’dorei at full sprint. She had her blades out, marked as Forsaken weaponry. But Valorian ignores the ranger. He picks the child up. He believes he could out run death. For he promised his wife he would return. For Valorian always had. “Valerian! Take the girl! Fly her to the near-...!” His voice cut to a cry of pain. He fell...a blade to the gut. For death had won. It finally caught the old elf, for how long he had lived his death would be short. The light in his eye going out. The child flung from his arms into the sand.

The illidari screamed. Rage consuming her. “VALORIAN NO!” She lifted to the sky, warglaives out as she dove into the beach. The scouts revealed themselves. Now she was outnumbered. But the demon had won. He laughed, the illidari something else. Something more maniacal as it turned the bodies on the ground as a reason to sing her song and dance of violence.

When the dance ended, when the elf took control she saw the child staring, screaming. She couldn’t tell if Valerian was a monster or a hero. She approached the child, her leather skin glistening in the firelight. Her wings expanded wide as if she were to take off. “Little one shh...I will get you to safety...”

“Will you Valerian? Are you sure you won’t slaughter her too? She’s witnessed what we did...what you are...” the demon cackled in her mind. “No!” Valerian cried out loud, turning to see the body in the sand. He wasn’t dead yet...for his arm stuck out. His hand reaching for her. He coughed, blood coming from his lips. The sand stained with the blood of a father.

“Valerian...Valerian come here...” The illidari complies...each step felt like Argus crushing her very soul. She collapsed next to him, looking at him as clear as day. Even with her fel sight she saw beyond, the purity. The light of death within him.

“Valerian...you are horribly...misunderstood. I see your pain...as I see mine now...” he laughed, even now the man laughed! She frowned, lifting his head up in her clawed hand. “But know...I am sorry. My child...I could never be more proud of you then I am now. You’ve sacrificed so much... Make sure you tell Soph she’s pretty every day. It makes her smile, and her smile is so much prettier than her frown. Saeylann. Take care of my god daughter. Casial has known too much grief. And make sure every one of my children is safe. I never got to know them in life. I'll watch over them in death. Valerian is misunderstood. Make an effort to understand her." Valerian was shocked. He had held a button on his shirt to talk to many. He looked to the child with a sad gaze.

“I am sorry I could not be here for you. I am sorry we only met a year ago...but I am glad to have met you. My beautiful little girl. Please...take care of our family.” Valerian watched him pass...watched his final breath.

She screamed. She screamed in pain and rage. She screamed for all the loss, but most importantly.

She screamed for Valorian.

She couldn’t stay, the child had to be saved too. It’s what he would have wanted she told herself. But by the time she came back...other’s were picking it up. Taking the body to a proper place.

She was left standing on that beach alone, watching as the sky burned like the rage she felt. She wept there for hours. Alone with her demon to help her. Alone with the demon for advice.

Eventually she’ll tell Soph...eventually she’ll tell the family. Right now she had to grieve for her loss. For everyone’s loss.

[valerian-felbane]

A time to Read.

“Go on, look down. Grasp at the words and learn.” Valerian spoke out loud to just herself, her fel burning gaze peered downward. Behold a novel book, so thick it had weight she could feel as she carried it around town.

The Demon Hunter had been given all the opportunity to learn thanks to her uncle. Book after book it took time to read, learning the histories of the world. She learned of her families real history, their heritage. Where she should’ve come from, what she could be.

Nobility, she was of noble origin. The option there to learn and adapt to the political climates of the Alliance and Horde. Options were present, she could abandon all and go back to the Horde. But then she’d have nothing again.

Atleast with the Alliance she had her family and some form of friendships growing. The struggles of learning as she existed were...well difficult. Her common was far from mastered, the knowledge she had gained from books. Not people. Despite her boldness in war she was shy to socializing. People scared her far more then demons. Demons had become easy to guess, easier to kill.

People of Stormwind? One moment they were friendly, the next they try to kill you, lie, steal, cheat, use you. Valerian hated it. The unpredictable nature of those in town. It left her feeling as though the books were all she could rely on. But the books kept reiterating the importance of marriage, family. Expansion of the family name through any means nessecary.

Is that why Sophaen adopted so many people? Valerian pondered this as she peered over the arcane enchanted ink. The only true way to see the books to begin with! Otherwise she’d remain blind to them.

What would it be like to have family? To settle down? Did that possibility even exist for something like Valerian? The winged, clawed, fel corrupted woman? However out of the question that was right now it still bothered her, the idea of such peace in life.

The books however kept normally long days not...as boring. The dullness of house lounging now used in a constructive way, reading book after book. Scrolls, tomes, whatever the illidari could get her hands on. Like a small child exposed to the world for the first time, that’s how she felt. The knowledge something she values, something to keep in mind. Facts of history and all of the war that’s happened over the last half of a century.

Amazing what can happen when you’re not around for it? Isn’t it?

( referenced @voided-arrows-deactivated201806 @lady-songheart and Anderin. But he lacks a real tumblr to link.)

[valerian-felbane]

The monsters were never under my bed. Because the monsters were inside my head. I fear no monsters, for no monsters I see. Because all this time the monster has been me.

Nikita Gill

[valerian-felbane]

Looking for Contact (Alliance)

Basics

NAME: Valerian Felbane (Songheart)

AGE: Three Hundred

RACE: Quel’dorei 

GENDER: Female SEXUALITY: Heterosexual MARTIAL STATUS: Single

SERVER: Wyrmrest Accord

Physical Appearance

HAIR: A golden blonde, the hair is long and typically kept up in a ponytail. When the hair is loose per chance it goes to mid back in length.

EYES: What eyes? This character is an illidari, she carries the ever burning fel gaze. 

HEIGHT: A firm 5′7 

BUILD: Valerian is thin, built but very thin with the life this illidari woman has lead. 

DISTINGUISHING MARKS: The most notable marks upon Valerian would be her demonic alterations. She has claws in place of your standard finger nails, wings that do function as intended that are typically hidden beneath long cloaks she wears in public. Her skin might look a tad tanned, in truth it is a natural leather like armor. Along her neck and more vital areas this ‘leather’ is more scale like. Scars cover her body from a variety of experiences life has provided to her.

Hooks

Possible hooks that you might be able to already know Valerian or know her from for example:

You’re also an illidari whom served to defeat the Burning Legion. Maybe a solider from Argus that recalls seeing her in combat? A trader that perhaps saw her in her younger years when she was a servant to a merchant lord of Quel’thalas?

What I’m looking for?

I’m looking for most kinds of RP to be honest, it could be from romantic interests to a rivalry. Other things would be such as making friends, perhaps even possible family friends for plot purposes!

Obviously this extends to IC but OOCly, it’d be great to try and make some new friends, make new connections and see what other people have to say, what they come up with and all that kinds of stuff!

This character does have a darker history, darker past and is doing what she can to turn a new leaf in the modern day. I am more then willing to work with people on creating legit and logical ways to interact even if it’s just a casual meeting on the streets of Stormwind! On that note, I hope this catches the interest of some people and I look forward to hearing from you guys!

Contact

Just here on tumblr will do fine! For RP purposes I do In game RP, Discord, and I can do here on Tumblr too! Due to my IRL job my in game frequency is lower, but I am highly active and responsive on platforms like Discord. Please hit me up, talk to me. Don’t be shy. <3 thank you for reading all the way to this point regardless. Have a good one!

[valerian-felbane]

Parent?

(This is a past event. Not current.)

“You will never find your parents Valerian. They didn’t want you. That’s why they gave you to me.” A cruel grin appeared upon the Lord’s lips. The Quel’dorei girl sat opposite of him, beaten and quiet. She’d dared to ask of her parents.

“No notes. No love. No care. They wanted you out of their home as fast as possible. The only love you will ever find here is a love of work or Sunwell help you we’ll beat it into you.” He laughed at the solemn look on the girls visage. For she knew he wasn’t lying.

But that wasn’t now. A CRACK! Erupted in the illidari‘s mind as she shot to a sitting position. She’d been asleep. What little she could get as she travelled. Nearly three hundred years and finally she had a lead. Valerian had been directed to Silvermoon, another illidari had a theory. A thought.

Hope.

Valerian could only think of hope in such a moment as she travelled to her native people’s lands. Like a newborn fawn she had no idea what to do. Where to go. All her life up until the illidari had been spent on the road. Her body heavily deformed it still held her elven beauty beneath the demonic alterations. A massive pair of wings pressed to her back, useable and fully functioning. Her skin almost looked tan, yet in truth it was a natural leather armor. Her hands had claws for fingers, the ever burning fel gaze replaced her eyes.

But she had her figure, long blonde hair that she kept pulled up in a ponytail. Slim and built, her folding blades at her hips. She’d been lead into the great city she now marveled at. Even with Arthas culling the place it looked wonderful. Atleast in her mind. Probably not to others whom grew up so used to the city walls.

She met the illidari, two Sin’dorei men that now spoke up. “We’ve been thinking you do resemble a particular lord local to here.”

Valerian perked a brow. “You know I’ve spent years searching, what makes you both think this is the right man?” The two illidari looked between one another. After a moment one spoke up.

“Valorian. Lord Valorian Songheart.”

That name. She’d always been taunted his name would near match hers. Could it be true? Was it true? She spent time looking for the man, observing from a distance. Asking questions. He was so much like her in look it seemed logical by all accounts.

But how would the man take learning of her? Did he hate her and dump her off as she was always told? Or was there more to it?

As it turns out he was her father. He had no idea of the demonic woman standing before him. Now the challenge was on. How to figure this out. How to adapt to this, family? It was real? She’d had no one up till now. Now there was a chance, she’d seize it if possible.

( @voided-arrows for direct mention. )

[valerian-felbane]

The Beginning.

“He cannot know!”

“He must know, what else are you to do about this damned child?!”

Hushed voices crowded around a babe, newborn. The mother of the child exhausted, holding it close with a soft expression. She wrapped the child carefully in a blanket, closing her eyes tight in thought. “If I tell him...I can’t make him stay for her. We can’t just give her up to the orphanage. He’d find out. Then what? You can already see it in her eyes, she looks just like him in the face.”

The mother sighed, lifting her free hand to tap the small Quel’dorei child on the nose. “We could give her to one of the traders. He’ll never think of that. Who would hand off a baby like that? She’ll end up in Lordaeron or Alterac. Find some human man to fawn over and disappear. Out of sight, out of mind.” The voice that spoke now was not the mother, but a mans. An older mans. “He won’t marry you. He’d just take the child and run you are -nothing- to that noble.”

“That’s not true!” The mother wailed, upset. The baby began to cry as well, in response to her mother’s tears. “Don’t you say that. Don’t you -ever- say that about him!”

“Then why hide this child from him? Why keep your pregnancy a secret? He probably thinks you’ve abandoned him now with how many months have passed without so much as a letter. Little does he know you just wanted to hide your belly.” The man grit his teeth, irritated at the entire situation.

“Name the child. Get it out of this house and play your ignorant little games. Child or not you will not end up with that man. He is not going to keep you. You aren’t going to keep him. That baby.” The man pointed. “Is your mistake with -him.-“

The mother went wide eyed, hugging the child close to her, now doing what she could to calm herself and the babe. “Just...leave. Leave me alone she will be taken elsewhere. You don’t understand...you never have. You never will.”

The man left, slamming the door shut as he stormed away further into the place the mother called home. The baby after awhile calmed, turning into a babbling bundle of joy. The mother smiled, watching. But tears formed yet again after a time, knowing what deed she was about to perform. “I will name you something...close...to your fathers name. I want you to reflect the beauty I see in him. The reason why I kept you, had you my sweet little girl.” The mother trailed off, watching the baby for a mere moment before whispering a name she’d decided upon.

“Valerian...Valerian Songheart by birthright...but to the traders...you shall just be...Valerian. No family name...I am so sorry my precious little one. I cannot keep you...and neither can your father. You’ll learn why in the future, I hope. Perhaps the Sunwell will bless you with a bright future. You’ll never know pain as I will.”

The mother had a single night with her child. Given little option the very next afternoon she met with the trade lord. He stopped in their village once a month, vicious, cruel, he didn’t do anything without reason.

When presented with a baby he questioned much, why bother? Why take it? Then he saw potential. A dark potential, he’d accept the offer, keeping this child to raise as his own personal servant. A ‘repayment’ for his raising of the young Quel’dorei. Informed from a young age she was nothing more then a serf, a practical slave due to circumstance. The girl was aware of her apparent orphanage early on. What could she do though? She could not run away with no knowledge of where to even go.

Oh how far and how rapidly the girl fell from what her mother wishedof her life. Pain came daily, walks for miles and miles as she dredged on to follow her ‘fathers’ horse drawn cart. Lashings, beatings, scoldings, a mocking of her name. For the trade lord figured out over time whom she was. He dangled that information to Valerian like a carrot on a stick. Every time the girl grew close to having a real answer reality came to, he snapped that chance away with a horrid laugh.

This was not the life this girl ever desired to live.

Why would her parents do this to her? She questioned it often, every night when the trader and his men camped she pondered this. Why did neither of them ever come for her? Stop the trade lord? Did no one care?

It sure felt like it.

( @voided-arrows for indirect mentioning.)