Natalia laughed, "You're seeing too much. She takes an interest in every student's progress."

"If you say so," he replied, "but if you see Nikolai, I'd advise you keep your distance."

"Why?" she asked.

"He and I don't get along, and he knows we're friends."

"You think I'm in danger?"

"I don't know," Stanislav confessed, "but it wouldn't hurt to be vigilant. I suppose I'm worrying over nothing. After all, you're safe here in the Volstrum."

"I'm a Stormwind now," said Natalia with pride, "he wouldn't dare try anything. I think you're just being paranoid."

"Maybe," he said, "but it's kept me alive all these years. A healthy dose of caution never killed anyone. Just be careful, all right?"

"I will," she promised. "Now, it's time for food."

"Just point me in the right direction and let me go," he pleaded.

"Through here," she said, laughter falling from her lips, "follow me, but we'd best get there before the high-borns eat everything."

Judgement

Spring 1102 SR

(In the tongue of the Orcs)

Again the dream. This time, Athgar saw his sister running towards him, blood gushing from her forehead. He reached out to Ethwyn, grabbing her arm, but at his touch, she erupted into flame. She fell, screaming as her body turned to ash.

He awoke to the smell of smoke, lying on a bed of skins, the heat of a fire to his side. Tilting his head, he saw a small fire pit in the middle of the hut, a single dwelling by the looks of it. Its furnishings were sparse, little more than a few skins scattered about. Uhdrig tossed another log onto the fire while Artoch and someone else sat nearby.

"He is awake," spoke the master of flame.

The third Orc got to his feet, coming closer to reveal the features of Kargen. He stooped, grabbing something, then rose to hover over Athgar. "Here," he said, offering a small bowl, "have a drink."

Athgar drank thirstily, consuming the offering. "How long has it been this time?"

"You have been out of it for some time, my friend," offered the Orc. "For the past three days, you have been in and out of wakefulness, despite the best efforts of Uhdrig. She was afraid you would succumb to the fire."

"My burns were that bad?" asked the Human, lifting his arms to examine them. They looked perfectly normal, leaving him confused.

"They were," said Kargen, "but Uhdrig regenerated you. No, it was not your wounds that worried us, but your inner spark."

"Artoch spoke of the spark, I still don't understand."

"It is our name for the magical power that lies within you."

"But how do you know I have it?" Athgar asked.

"Artoch can sense such things," explained Kargen, "but now is not the time to talk of it, we must prepare you."

"For what?" asked Athgar.