The distant boom of the surf against the Darkshore coast mingled with quiet breathing.

Taiev lay awake, gazing at the sleeping figure beside her in the gloriously comfortable bed. She smiled, stretched pleasantly-aching muscles and snuggled closer. It felt strange to share a bed with a lover after so long alone. But, she thought impishly, she could definitely learn to appreciate it again...

But as always her thoughts strayed to darker matters... the confrontation in Menethil had shown that the Silvereye was as yet unready for the enemies it must face... If they could not maintain discipline in the face of a little dwarvish provocation how would they be strong enough to overcome the Corruptor, the Keeper and the Destroyer?

She sank her head against the warm body beside her in the bed. Dark thoughts occupied her every waking moment... but come flame, come war and Kil'Jaden Himself she would face them all with calm, elegance and the hope that the newly-planted seed within her might yet blossom into the courage to overcome her own Darkness Within.

Taiev lay listening to the soothing boom of the surf, and the heartstopping whisper of quiet breathing, until dawn teinted the sky over Auberdine.