Note: I do not own Blizzard, nor do I make any income from this story. This is purely for my entertainment. Please R&R. Rated M for future chapters.

Jin'ala was sitting by the fountain in the Court of the Sun, Silvermoon City. The three elegant stone women reaching skyward to hold up the large bowl, out of which water was spilling. The fish between their feet spouting ribbons of water as well. The reflecting pool spread out a short distance to cascade down a waterfall into a second reflection pond surrounded by its own set of bronze fish spouting water back into the pool.

Only one word came to mind as she closed her eyes and listened to the musical twinkling and swirling white noise of the flowing water: Ronae. She smiled. Thalassian was such a wonderful language. This one word, in particular, meant 'peaceful', but it wasn't only a word. It was a feeling. Ronae. The feeling when one is truly at peace. It conveyed calm majesty unequaled by its translation.

The girl breathed in deeply the sweet scent of clear, fresh water that mingled with the light floral scents wafting from the floating flower baskets strewn about the area. The manicured shrubbery also lending their heady aroma of firs and oaks to the blend. Yes, Ronae, was the perfect word to describe the scene, even though the general public was hustling and bustling all around her. Again, she breathed in deeply and exhaled on a sigh. This was just what she'd needed. Especially, since the last few days had been spent training and honing her skills as a mage.

She smiled with satisfaction. This was just where she'd wanted to be. Her studies were going well. So well, in fact, that it seemed she needed to buy new armor daily in addition to the armor she'd glean off her fallen adversaries in order to keep up with her newly mastered levels.

Once more, she took a breath and sighed peacefully. Opening her eyes, she looked around and noticed a man staring at her. She regarded him as he looked at her. Suddenly, he jumped into the pool and splashed like a lunatic. She rolled her eyes at him. Too many of the male persuasion of her kind, the Sin'dorei, acted like idiots. She switched positions and lounged on her elbows while shifting her gaze further around the semi-circle that surrounded the fountain.

"Miss?" a voice shattered her concentration and she looked up, squinting at the sun that back-lit the stranger.

"Yes?" she replied. "May I help you?"

"I was just wondering if he," indicating the crazy man in the pool, "was bothering you?" The deep, gritty voice clawed at her stomach and started the warmth in her cheeks to rise. He moved and was finally visible without the sun behind him. He stood tall in front of her. His short, red hair tousled as if it hadn't been combed that day, save for a hand quickly run through it. The top of his left ear sported only a single silver hoop. The fel-green of his eyes roiled beneath his brows. She could just barely make out a long scar that started just above his right eye and traced a jagged line down his cheek to his strong, square jaw. His nose looked as if it'd been broken at least once and there was a small, fresh cut on his bottom lip. His neck was as thick as a tree trunk and it led down to broad shoulders that framed a large chest that was home to more scars, made half-visible by his open shirt. His waist was narrow, but gave way to a set of legs that seemed formidable even under the dark pants he wore.

"Miss?" came the strong but quiet voice again. She blinked at him. "Is he bothering you?"

Jin'ala had to look back to the man he was pointing at in order to remember why he was talking to her. "Hrm?" she mumbled. "Oh, him," she finally realized. She softly chuckled, then sighed. "No, he's not bothering anyone. About the only thing he will be doing is catching his death in that cold water." She nodded to punctuate. Looking at the man in front of her again, she caught a glimpse of a small dog behind him. "Is that your dog?" she asked.

The man nodded, never taking his eyes off the vagrant in the fountain. "He's cute, isn't he?" the man asked. Finally, he looked back at her. "The dog, not the idiot," he said, nodding towards his pet.

She giggled quietly at the joke and only nodded.

He gave a curt nod and sat down in front of her. "So," he said, sliding close. So close, in fact, that his knees were touching hers. She giggled uncomfortably and slid slightly away to restore the distance. "What brings you out here, miss . . ." he asked sliding closer to her again, knees touching. He'd intentionally left the question open for her to supply her name.

"Jin'ala," she replied, uncomfortably. "My name is Jin'ala, but most people call me Jinny."

"Well, Jinny," he smiled at the use of her nickname. "What brings you out on this fine day? The weather?" he paused. "Looking for company?" he asked, leaning in closer.

Her cheeks reddened and she looked away, embarrassed to be blushing, but she smiled tentatively back at him and glanced sideways at him. "The weather," she nodded, "yes, that's one reason," she said.

"There are others?" he asked lightly with a half smile.

She smiled and nodded again, but sighed. "This place, the running water, reminds me of my father," she supplied, slightly saddened at the thought of him.

"I'm sorry, Miss Jinny, I didn't mean to dredge up the past," he said with a touch of compunction in his voice.

She waved it off. "Please, don't worry about it," she smiled softly. "It was a very long time ago."

He looked eased, but offered, "I'm sure it still stings."

She nodded and reflected for a moment. The she looked back at the man. "So, you have the knowledge of my name and the reason for my presence . . ." she started saying, but purposely left the statement open.

He smiled slyly at her. "This is true. I know your name is Jinny, and that you are here to enjoy the day and to remember." He stopped and continued to smile at her, his eyes twinkling.

She hated that she blushed so easily. She looked away, but only for a moment. He was starting to annoy her. She then returned his smile and said, "So? I don't believe I caught your name, mister . . ."

"Darreek," he finally offered jovially, jumping to his feet and bowing low, "At your service, Miss Jinny." He extended his hand and she took it, cautiously looking at him as she did so.

"It's a pleasure, Mister Darreek," she said, offering a polite smile.

"The pleasure, Miss Jinny," he smirked, eyes sparkling, "is all mine," he finished, dropping a light kiss to the backs of her knuckles.

Yet again, she blushed, this time rolling her eyes at him as her teeth caught the corner of her bottom lip. She yelped with surprise when he all at once pulled her up to her feet. He laughed at her expression and his eyes sparkled.

She jumped with surprise, again, when she was tapped on the shoulder. He laughed even harder, the sound rumbling out of his broad chest as she clasped a hand over her heart.

"Excuse me, Miss Jinny," the young boy said, bowing to her.

She regained her composure rather quickly when she saw that it was one of the magisters' page boys. Taking a cleansing breath, she said, "Yes, Xannor? What can I do for you?" She smiled down at him.

"I've been asked to fetch you, Miss Jinny," he replied.

The pleasantness on her face faded. "Fetch me for what, darling?" she asked.

"The magisters have an important task for you," he said. "Please, come with me."

She sighed heavily. This was supposed to have been a relaxing day. Jin'ala looked up to Darreek. "Please, excuse me, Mister Darreek. When the magisters call, one must answer."

"Aye," he said, nodding, his arms folded across his chest. "This I know well. Shorel'aran, Miss Jinny. I shall leave you with this to remember me," he said, his eyes sparkling while he snaked a hand behind her neck and pulled her close. The kiss was light, just barely brushing her lips with his. He released her and laughed yet again at the expression of utter disgust on her face.

Her cheeks instantly seared with heat and the fel-green of her eyes roiled darkly. "Anar'endal dracon! Why would you do such a thing?" she ground out between her teeth, looking around to see if anyone had been watching.

There was a tug on her arm. "Please, Miss Jinny. We must go," Xannor protested.

Jin'ala eyed the man. "If I see you again, it will be your end!" she spat out. He laughed all the harder as her cheeks grew a darker, more vibrant crimson. She spun away from him and allowed Xannor to lead her to the magisters, leaving the frustrating man laughing behind her.