Startled, Malfurion pulled back. He expected the behemoth's head to dart forward and snap him up, but the sentinel continued to stare through him. It took the druid a few seconds to realize that the dragon could not see him.
The presence of the guardian, who perched atop a high, pointed peak, verified that the night elf had to be near where the dragons gathered. However, Malfurion did not feel he had the time to go searching one mountain after another for their location. Instead, he thought of what he knew. Ysera was mistress of the Emerald Dream. This near to her, surely she would hear his mental summons.
Whether Ysera would answer, however, was another question.
Knowing he could only try, the druid faded back into the Emerald Dream and imagined the green dragon. He knew that his perception of her was far from fact, but it gave his thoughts something upon which to concentrate.
Ysera, mistress of the dream land, great Aspect, I humbly seek communion with you…I bring the word of one who knows She Who Is Life, your sister, Alexstrasza…
Malfurion waited. When it became clear that he would not be receiving an answer, he tried again.
Ysera, She of the Dreaming, in the name of Cenarius, Lord of the Wood, I ask this boon of you. I call upon you to-
He broke off as he sensed the sudden presence of another. The druid twisted his head to the right and beheld a thin female of his race, clad in a translucent robe that fluttered even though there was no wind. The hood of the robe covered all but her face, a beautiful yet calm face whose only offsetting feature was the eyes…or rather, the closed lids that covered them.
The figure might have looked like a night elf, but in addition to the bright emerald hair she had-more arresting than the green of any true night elf-her skin, garments…all were tinted one shade or another of the same color.
There could be no doubt that this was Ysera.
'I have come,' she responded, quiet but firm, her eyes never opening, 'if only to put an end to your shouting. Your thoughts reverberated through my mind like an unceasing drumbeat.'
Malfurion sought to kneel. 'My lady-'
She waved a slim hand. 'I need not be flattered by such gestures. You have called. I have come. Have your say and be-gone.'
His success still amazed the night elf. Here, in this other form, stood one of the great Aspects. That she had deigned to respond, he could scarcely believe. 'Forgive me. I would never seek to disturb you-'
'And yet, here you are.'
'I've come with one who knows of you well-a dragon called Krasus.'
'His name is known, even if his mind is suspect. What of him?'
'He seeks an audience with Alexstrasza. He can't break through the barrier that surrounds this place.'
As he spoke, Malfurion had to focus hard on the Aspect. Ysera constantly shimmered in and out, almost as if she were a figment of his imagination. Her expression did not change, save that beneath the eyelids there was constant movement. That she saw, Malfurion did not doubt, but how she did made him most curious.
'The barrier has been set because the planning we do is of the most delicate nature,' spoke the Aspect. 'No word of what we do must be revealed until the time is ripe…so says the Earth Warder.'
'But he must enter-'
'And he will not. I have no say over the matter. Is that all?'
Malfurion mulled over Krasus's words. 'Then, if he can speak to Alexstrasza through you…'
Ysera laughed, such a startling shift that the night elf stood as if stricken. 'You are audacious, mortal creature! I am to be your conduit as he interrupts my sister during a most pressing time! Is there anything else you would like while you are asking?'
'By my shan'do, Cenarius, this is all I seek, and I wouldn't do it if it wasn't necessary.'
A peculiar thing happened when he mentioned the demigod by name. Ysera's image grew especially hazy, and the eyes beneath her lids seemed to look down. The reaction, although very brief, was so very noticeable.
'I see no reason to continue this irritation. Return to your companion, night elf, and-'
'Please, mistress of the Emerald Dream! Cenarius will vouch for me. He-'
'There is no reason to bring him up!' she suddenly snapped. For just the briefest of moments, Ysera almost looked ready to open her eyes. Her expression had become one that Malfurion recognized all too well from his childhood. Earlier, he had thought that Cenarius and Ysera had been lovers. But that was not the case, from what he could read in her expression.
Ysera-She of the Dreaming, one of the five great Aspects-had reacted to the demigod's name as might a loving mother.
Somewhat ashamed, the druid retreated from her. Ysera, clearly caught up in some memory, paid him no mind. For the first time since he had met Krasus, Malfurion was angry with him. This was ill knowledge and his companion should have known that.
He started to depart the dream realm, but Ysera turned her sightless gaze toward him and suddenly announced, 'I will be the bridge you need to reach Alexstrasza.'
'My lady…'
'You will speak no more about this situation, night elf, or I will cast you out of my domain forever.'
Shutting his mouth tight, Malfurion acquiesced. Whatever her relationship with the forest lord, it had been very, very deep and long in term.
'I will guide your spirit to where we now meet, and you will wait until I indicate that your time to converse with my sister has come. Then and only then will I transmit your words to her-your words and his.'
The acidic tone by which she said the last word spoke of her fury toward Krasus. Praying that his companion's rash suggestion would not get them both killed, the druid voice-lessly agreed.
She stretched forth her hand. 'Take it.'
With the utmost respect, Malfurion obeyed. He had never touched another spirit in the Emerald Dream, and had no idea what to expect. To his surprise, though, Ysera's hand felt like a mortal one. It had no ethereal quality. He might have been holding his mother's hand.
'Remember my warning,' the Aspect said.
Before he could respond, they entered the mortal plane. The transition was so immediate, yet so smooth, that the night elf had to adjust to his change in surroundings. Then he had to adjust to Ysera's sudden disappearance.
No, she had not disappeared. She stood but a few yards from where he floated, the mistress of the Emerald Dream now revealed in her full glory. A massive dragon with glittering green scales, she dwarfed Korialstrasz, the only other dragon that the druid had ever met.
And she was not the only one. As his surroundings registered on him, the night elf discovered the two of them were far from alone. Three other gargantuan dragons stood near the center of the huge chamber. The red one surely had to be Alexstrasza, the one Krasus sought. She had a beauty and dignity akin to Ysera, but more animation, more life. Next to her was a male nearly as large whose scales constantly shifted-from silver to blue to a combination of both-seemingly at whim. He had, for one of his kind, an almost bemused expression.
In utter contrast to blue, the huge black beast that Malfurion eyed next sent shivers through even his spirit form. Here was raw power, the strength of the earth…but something more. Malfurion had to look away from the ebony giant, for each time he attempted to study him, a sense of un-ease touched the night elf. It was not simply because two of the same color had pursued the druid and his companion. No, it was something more…something dread.
But if he thought to find more peace looking elsewhere, Malfurion had chosen the wrong direction, for now he stared at what so intrigued the giants.
It was tiny, tiny enough to fit into his own palm. In the paw of the huge black, it was almost a speck.
'You see?' rumbled its wielder. 'All is in readiness. It is but the moment that we wait for.'
'And when will that moment come?' asked Alexstrasza. 'Each passing day, the demons ravage the lands. If not for the fact that their commanders have drawn more of their forces to take on the night elves, the other directions would be all but lost by now.'
