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| - The cold feeling of the bitter winds in Northrend came across Dalaran once again. Even the days were cold with snowflakes often coming upon the city each day. The Nights were worse especially in Winters. The Winters that Grumpa had spent in the last few years have had to have been some of the coldest he'd ever experienced. Some called it mad to stand outside during a Cold Winter's Night but Grumpa stood outside alone. Watching the night's sky, he'd been doing this for every night since he'd learned about the death of Rhonin. Grumpa kept watching the stars hoping and waiting for a sign from his former leader, ethier of them. 2 of the World's greatest Mages killed in less than 20 years something Grumpa still had to come to terms with. He kept watching the stars, hoping for that one sign that everything would be ok. That the Kirin Tor would be safe under Jaina's leadership, that this war with the Horde would not destroy the Alliance. While a member of the Kirin Tor, Grumpa did support the Alliance he had always been a member if not an open member or not on the frontline. Grumpa had served in the Third War, he had seen the Scourge and its cruel master, he had not seen the fall of Dalaran but he had seen the remains of the city. He had helped rebuild it, he had helped move the city to Northrend. He had seen the effect of war, and while he continued to support a faction he did not wish to fight. Not anymore, cities destroyed, families ruined and friends dead or undead. Lordaeron, poor Lordaeron. Grumpa had lived there most of his adult life, it is where he met his wife Susan. Where she had died giving birth to their only son Illidez. It is where Illidez grew up and went to school, learnt the arts of the priest. How Grumpa longed to reclaim the city for the Alliance and he longed for the Undead to be destroyed. Grumpa sighed as much as he wanted the undead destroyed he knew deep down that they were once neighbours and friends. People who he could risk his life for if they were in danger. But now he could even think about killing them. This world had changed so much, if life had been the way it was before the Horde arrived. The world would have been at peace and calm. Or at least calmer. Grumpa was quickly taken out of his thoughts by a blast of bitter wind that caught him unawares and almost sent him off his feat. Fortunatly his staff kept him stable. "Damn wind." Grumpa moaned in his Gilnean accent. He sighed. Nothing from the stars yet again not from Rhonin or Antonidas. Yet again another few hours wasted but he would never give up. Not until his dying breath. Grumpa began to walk away from the Antonidas Memorial where he had been watching the stars and began to walk towards the library. He would drown his thoughts with tomes once again. It kept him busy, the more he read the more he knew. As he entered the warm library a thought came into his head. Perhaps if I studied harder they would contact me. Tell me that they were ok whereever they are. Grumpa wasn't able to remain awake for much longer. He quickly found peace asleep in the Library. This was happening more and more each week. He was at peace there so no one ever thought to wake or move him. Night became Day. Grumpa was awoken by the sounds of people entering the Library. He groaned as he woke up. "I really need to stop sleeping in here." he then chuckled and began to continue studing until he stomach growled. Grumpa stood up and began to walk out of the Library when Jaxi Sparkshine walked into the Library with baked treats. She smiled at him and handed them over. "Thank you Jaxi. What have I done to deserve these?" The Gnome woman smiled. "You have stood by myself and Windle after...." she paused and tears came into her eyes. "After Kin....ndy died." By this point tears kept rolling down her face. Grumpa sighed and looked down at the Gnome. "I did as much as everyone else did. I know it is hard when you loose someone, someone you care for in the world. At least she lives on in Dalaran every night." Grumpa smiled and Jaxi nodded. "Thank you, Grumpa. By the way a visitor is looking for you." The Gnome woman smiled and then left the Library. A visitor? For him. If someone was coming to see him they would have given him some notice. Unless it was urgent. But anyone who knew him would know he'd be in the library. It didn't matter they would find him soon enough. For now at least he could eat the treats the Jaxi had brought him and settle the growling in his stomach. Dispite being a Mage Grumpa hated conjured food he made himself which is why he'd always visit Jaxi if he grew hungrey. Grumpa was munching his way through a White Chocolate cookie when the visitor finally found him. It was a woman in her early thirties. Clearly a mage by her robes and staff. "Archmage Grumpa Achielles?" Grumpa glared back. "Depends who wants to know." the man chuckled. "My name is Appreia. I am the Archmage of the Order of Lordaeron. I am in need of your assistance." Grumpa raised an eyebrow. "What kind of assistance?" "You. I would like to invite you to join our Order. I have heard stories in the Blue Recluse of how you helped defeat Deathwing. You are a powerful Mage and we need people like you in our Order." smiled at Grumpa but the smile faded when Grumpa shot back a look of anger. "I am flattered really. But I am insanely busy. I have not left this library since the Fall of Theramore. I have been busy reading here and trying to stablise the Kirin Tor. I do not have the time or the patience to deal with this Order of yours." Grumpa sighed. "I am sorry I did not mean to be rude. I am sorry I will not be joining your Order." The woman looked grim. "Please we are in need of your assistance. Do you want Lordaeron or not?" Grumpa smiled but very fanitly. "I do. I do. Normally I would however the Kirin Tor need my assistance. The only thing that would make me reconsider is if I had permission from the Council of Six." Appreia grinned. "Then that is what I will do. I will ask the Six. You will see me once again before the day is up." Appreia saluted and walked out of the Library. Grumpa waited until had left the room before banging his head on the table. "What have I let myself in for." Grumpa groaned. He stood up and walked out of Library heading for Antonidas' Memorial where he would wait for return. Appreia stood in the Chambre of Air surronded by the legendary magi of the Six. The room was nothing like he could ever have imagned. "Thank you all for seeing me on such short notice." she began. "I come before you today to seek your blessing to take one of your magi from Dalaran to join my order. I am aware of recent goings on however my Order needs him. He is someone who can connect with our cause and has the knowledge and skill to be of great help to the Order. I ask. No I beg for you to allow him to join my Order." she stopped and looked at the faces of the Six Magi. Jaina Proudmoore spoke first. "Greetings mage, thank you for asking our permission first it is I am sure seen as an honour by as all. I have a question which mage do you seek to join your Order?" "Archmage Grumpa Achielles. I know he is needed here but......" Jania held her hand to stop her. She looked to Khadgar. The Mage with the old body and young eyes spoke. "I know Grumpa very well. It was he who convinced me to return. I am guessing he said no. However he would agreed if he had our permission?" Appreia nodded. "I am sure you aware of what has happened to the Kirin Tor recently. However I do know of your Order. He will be an asset that I know. However you must know how much he is needed here in Dalaran as well." Khadgar looked back to Jaina. "This will take a few hours to decide on what to do. In the mean time I suggest you remain in the Violet Hold until we have made our decision. Thank you once again." Jaina then raised her hand and teleported Appreia out of the Chambre. It was 4 hours later when Grumpa was approached by Khadgar. "They are waiting for you. We have reached a judgement." Grumpa smiled and followed Khadgar before being teleported into the Chambre of Air. He stood before the Six and with standing next to him. It was Jaina who informed both Appreia and Grumpa. "It was a close vote of 4 to 2. However Grumpa you do have our blessing to join this Order and you will still remain a member of the Kirin Tor. You will still have the rank of Archmage. We all wish you luck in your life with the Order. However if you are called here. You are to do so at once." Grumpa smiled before nodding. "Of course. Thank you for your swift decision. I will always be a letter away if you need me." Grumpa then teleported both him and Appreia out of the Chambre. He turned to . "I guess you have my help after all." Appreia smiled. "Grumpa I hereby welcome you into the Order of Lordaeron. Stand by your brothers and sisters and we will together retake Lordaeron." Grumpa smiled and looked out over Northrend before breaking the silence. "I know that it will not be easy but I will stand by you and the Order." Appreia looked to the Old mage. "Perhaps when you are a bit more equated with the Order you'd consider becoming my advisor" "Perhaps, however first let me see the Order." with that Grumpa teleported him and Appreia away from Dalaran Grumpa had joined the Order. However things would not remain this way for long. A dark shadow loomed over Grumpa. A new stage of his life had just begun without knowing it, he had entered a long battle. Not just for Lordaeron.
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