[Christmas Fic] Missing Treasures, Discovered Dreams

[mysticblue_lady]

Seems like every time I'm posting it's fic and nothing in between. Oh well!

To at least give it the appearance of a legitimate entry, I've been working on this story for a few weeks. I finished it up just after I got back from visiting my parents' house for holiday festivities. No blood, which is always good to report after my mother and I have been confined to the same space for more than a few hours. Now I'm gearing up to start the edits on my NaNovel, which is awesomeness beyond imagining. I'm hoping things go well :P.

Ok, now to talking about why I'm actually here. Last year, I wrote special stories for both Halloween and Christmas. I like the tradition, so it's back this year. Only this year it's a little different. This story is unabashed fanfic for World of Warcraft, featuring members of my guild and many a friend. It's also a gift for a friend, part Christmas present and part because he's cool and inspires me like that.

So Issy, hope you enjoy it. It makes me squee gleefully every time I read it. I can only hope you get the same out of it.

Yes, I did set it up so there could be a sequel. We'll see how that goes :P.

Alright, I'm done with the setup. On to the fic.

It all started with her affection for dwarves. Even if the task was near impossible, she'd accept the job from a short man with a fuzzy beard and a full tankard of ale.

"So if you'd take a look around for me, lass," he asked, wiping a bit of foam from his robust, gray beard. "I'd appreciate it. It would do an old man's heart good. Now would you like mug of ale?" He lifted his own stein but Jhandalyn shook her head even as her whiskers twitched at the smell of the hearty brew.

"I've a long way to go tonight. But I'll find what you've lost," her long, pointed ears springing up once more as she slid out of his comfortable leather chair, the two tiny bells at the tip of her left jingling lightly against one another.

"It's all I could ask for, Jhandalyn," the gray-bearded dwarf said. "More, actually."

She grinned. "You do make an excellent brew."

"Aye, lass, that I do."

***

Snow was piled deep around the buildings in the city of Stormwind. The normally wide cobbled streets were choked by mounds of snow, narrowing even the widest thoroughfares. Few people brave the harsh winds and slick footing, especially after dark.

A horse and rider clattered past her at speed, disappearing quickly around the corner. Jhandalyn held back her curses. It would do her no good to draw attention to herself in a land where the guards would just as likely kill her on sight as a monster as question her.

She hopped past a cloth merchant just locking his door for the night. The lights revealed a decorated tree, a staple of the season. Jhandalyn did her best not to wince. She just needed to think, to figure out where it might be, and then she could get back on the road. Two months had passed since she had been given her task and she felt no closer to completing it. She had been a treasure hunter, a seeker of things lost for more years than she could count and now she was hovering on the threshold of her first utter failure. The worst sort of failure, too. One that would scar the world.

The Pig & Whistle Tavern came up on her left and she pushed open the door. The wind whistled in, dispelling some of the stifling warmth from the fireplace. Jhandalyn's heart sank at the noise that poured over her: excited cheers, catcalls, raucous singing, and general delight. She had expected an empty bar, a place to get some quiet. But she couldn't head over to a bar in the Dwarven Quarter, or worse Ironforge, so Jhandalyn steeled herself and pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders and went inside, hoping they would mistake her for a short druid because of the antlers.

The large common room was full of adventurers celebrating the completion of a great battle. Dwarves, gnomes, elves, humans, and draenai crowded around the long central table, drinking, eating, and making merry.

The upstairs loft, where she would have normally retreated to in order to find a measure of peace, was filled with dwarven miners drinking away their winter bonuses, flush with cash and ale.

Spotting a relatively quiet, secluded table in one empty corner, Jhandalyn made her way through the crowd. The chairs were built to human proportions and Jhandalyn's ears came up to a human's waist, making the seating awkward at best. Keeping her cloak pulled tight, she waved to the red-headed serving girl, who deposited two mugs of ale at another table and sauntered over.

"What can I get for ya tonight, darlin'?" she drawled, barely blinking at the fact that Jhandalyn was a rabbit nearly three feet tall topped with antlers. Jhandalyn wondered if that instant acceptance was a measure of how odd the world was becoming.

"Thunderbrew if you've got it," Jhandalyn said.

"Sure thing, darlin'," the barmaid flashed her a smile. "And could I get ya a different seat? The gnomes gave us these taller chairs, the Whatzerjigger 9000 or something. Raises and lowers you and does all sorts of other things. 'Course," she paused thoughtfully, "they also have a tendency to catch fire."

"This is fine, just the Thunderbrew," Jhandalyn nodded. "But what's the ruckus about?"

The bar maid jerked her thumb over her shoulder at the crowded table. "Some guild just killed a big monster over in Outland. Elysian I think the guild is. Not sure about the monster." She leaned in close, whispering, "The details keep changing and you know how adventurers are about keeping their kills straight."

Jhandalyn shook her head. "No, I'm afraid I don't."

The bar maid laughed like she'd made a fine joke. "Be glad, darlin'. Be glad." The fact that Jhandalyn had never been able to get a good grip on the human sense of humor was only one of the reasons that she preferred the company of dwarves.

Jhandalyn cast a few furtive glances at the dwarves upstairs, longing to be among them, but knowing it would be a bad idea. Her kind were viewed as a kind of luck charm among the dwarves, but she wouldn't feel comfortable. They would know, just by the look of her, that something was off. And when they finally whittled it out of her -- with gentle probes and a few more beers, just the way a dwarven mother would -- it was only her shame that would follow.

The Thunderbrew arrived promptly and with little more conversation. Jhandalyn raised the mug to her mouth and drank in a few hearty gulps. The spicy tang reminded her of happier times. But it wasn't helping clear her head yet. She'd searched high and low for the list, followed dozens of leads to their eventual dead ends, and made a complete and utter fool of herself in front of a thieves' guild meeting during which she'd begged for their assistance. The nice dwarf who'd shown her to the door had kindly told her they weren't for hire.

It was altogether too humiliating to contemplate, and the worst part was she was running out of time.

"Wait a minute! Don't I," the dwarf who had walked up to her table hiccuped, "know you?" Then, of course, he reached forward and slid her cloak off her head before Jhandalyn could do more than cringe away. Her soft-furred ears popped up, immediately giving her away. "Boys!" the dwarf bellowed to his fellows up in the loft. "We've got a wolpertinker!"

A great cheer went up among the dwarves, louder even than noise from the much greater number of revelers below. The guild party even paused at the dwarves' exuberance, giving Jhandalyn a perfect moment of silence in which to contemplate her ultimate doom.

Then the dwarves were clomping down the stairs to gather around her table and several of the dwarves from the celebration were coming over to pay their respects as well. A good number of tankards full of ale were set before her by the dwarves, filling the table quickly. Jhandalyn hadn't even had a chance to respond to the sudden stream of questions flying at her when a red-haired human woman with piercing green eyes and a shadowy air about her took the only vacant seat at the table.

"Stop," the woman said, making a calming motion to the dwarves, many of whom did follow her instruction. "Let her speak." The rest quieted and the human woman looked at Jhandalyn with an excited smile. "Now, what's your name?"

"I'm Jhandalyn," she said, her ears twitching with a little jingle. "And I'm just here for a drink."

"But you're a wolpertinker?" the woman asked. "A real, live wolpertinker that we can see without being drunk?"

Jhandalyn winced. She'd known Brewfest was a bad idea, but nobody consulted her about these things.

"See one wolpertinker, that brings luck," said one of the dwarves, her long golden braid draped over her shoulder.

"Two fortells a love match," another dwarf, his bushy beard the color of winter snow, said.

"And three means a warm bed in winter," chuckled a third dwarf, smirking at the other men around him.

"Nay, it means children on the way," a dwarven woman with light red hair said, her tone caught between disgust and fondness.

"There's some debate about three," a black-bearded dwarf leaned close to the human woman, "but one and two are very well documented."

"This is fascinating," the woman said, still looking at Jhandalyn with starry eyed wonder. "But since I'm not drunk, how exactly am I seeing you."

Jhandalyn's lips twisted in a frown. "It's because I'm not exactly a wolpertinker."

Voices crashed around her again as the dwarves debated this sudden revelation and what it did or didn't mean.

"Get a gnome!" one of them called. "Polymorph her and see if she turns back into whatever else she is."

This suggestion was gaining an alarming amount of backing when the human stood up and placed two fingers to her lips, emitting a piercing whistle. Again, the room descended into sudden silence.

"There will be no polymorphing of anyone in this place unless you want to tangle with us," she said, waving her comrades over. A few at the other table stood, brandishing glowing weapons and otherworldly bits of armor. Several others wandered over to Jhandalyn's table to see what was going on. "Now, Jhandalyn, my name is Issicle and I believe you are the most stunning creature in creation."

Jhandalyn would have blushed if she'd had less fur. As it was, she ducked her head, saying, "I'm really nothing all that special. I just stopped in to get a drink."

"One more for the road?" asked a squeaky voice. The gnome to whom it belonged climbed up onto the table and sat there, waving to Jhandalyn jauntily as he did so. He had a wide nose and kind blue eyes. "I'm not entirely certain I've ever heard of a wolpertinker who's not a wolpertinker before. Definitely never seen one. So if you're not a wolpertinker, what are you?"

Jhandalyn bit her lip. Which was a mistake, since her sharp front teeth immediately drew blood, making her wince. She brought a paw up to the spot, but one of the dwarves was already leaning over to cast a healing spell on her. "Thank you," she nodded to the dwarf. To the rest she said, "I'm called a jackalope and I'm looking for something. Something very important. I'm on a mission and I can't delay but for a few minutes more."

"Maybe we can help you," the gnome said genially. "I've got the plans for this great machine in my laboratory, allows you to view things from long distances."

"A scope?" one of the dwarves asked, brow wrinkling in consternation.

The gnome rolled his eyes. "No, no it's a viewing device. A perfect fusion of magic and metal, crafted and arcane, gems and," he paused, frowning, "well, it's a perfect fusion. Not a single gnome fatality during its creation."

"No offense, Bippo," Issicle grinned at him in a friendly way, "but I don't think that's what she needs. Jhandalyn is on a quest, aren't you?"

"Yes," Jhandalyn seized on it, hoping to get out of here before she revealed anything more. "It's a quest."

Immediately a number of those crowded around her, dwarf and non-dwarf alike, pulled out little brown notebooks covered in scrawls and scribbles. "What are the requirements?" one man asked, while another said, "Where do you have to go?"

Jhandalyn frowned. "I don't know," she confessed. "Something has been stolen and I'm honor-bound to return it. And while I would really love to stay and chat," she pushed her chair away from the table, regretting not sitting closer to the door, but not half as much as she was regretting not finishing that tankard of Thunderbrew, "I really have to go now."

"It's something to do with Greatfather Winter, isn't it?" came a snappy little voice from the crowd. A pink-haired gnome woman stepped out from behind the legs of several dwarves and held Jhandalyn with her gaze. "I mean, it makes sense, with the season and all. You wouldn't be in such a hurry if it wasn't time sensitive and Winter Veil is only a day or so away."

Issicle beamed. "Zoote, you're so clever. Is that true, Jhandalyn? You know we won't tell."

"I-it is," Jhandalyn hedged, watching them all warily. "And I realize I'm cutting things a bit close, but I really do think I can find it in the amount of time we have and --"

"We'll help you!" Issicle cried, clapping her hands together. She looked around, obviously pleased at the number of nods and grins that surrounded her. "That way whatever the quest is, you'll get it finished in time."

"It's not that simple," Jhandalyn frowned. "I don't know where the list is --"

"The list? What list?" asked a white-bearded night elf from the crowd. He leaned forward, taking a swig from one of the tankards. "The top forty reasons gnomes will never rule the world? I have a start for you: natural selection. The smartest ones will kill themselves off with their own inventions." He weathered the glares of the gnomes at the table without even batting an eyelash.

"It's Greatfather Winter's list, isn't it?" Bippo asked, walking around the night elf's arm where he leaned against the table. "Deadangel may be a sodden clod most days, but he gets to the heart of things."

"What do you mean a sodden clod?" Deadangel asked, looking partially offended and mostly drunk.

"He's calling you a wet ball of dirt, dear," Zoote said, shaking her head.

"Is Bippo right, though?" Issicle asked. "Are you looking for his list?"

Jhandalyn sighed, collapsing back into her chair with a sense of utter finality. They would inevitably be disappointed in her, find her a useless tracker and an even more worthless being. She couldn't even track down the Naughty List, after all.

"Yes," she nodded. "That's what I'm tasked to find."

Jhandalyn had expected a certain amount of jeering. Possibly some dismay at the potential for not receiving presents. Definitely not the excited chatter that surrounded her as the dwarves and the members of Elysian began planning a "rescue" operation of a list they didn't even know where to find.

"It's fine, it's fine," Zoote said, soothing her back into her seat after Jhandalyn had stood up in surprise. "We're just excited is all. An honest to goodness quest with nothing to slay at the end. It's almost as good as a present on Winter Veil morning." She winked.

Jhandalyn was shaking her head. "No, you don't understand. This is extremely important. And while I appreciate your help, I have to take care of this. If this list isn't found, the whole balance will be upset."

"Can't Greatfather Winter just give everyone gifts?" Deadangel asked. "Make a new list for next year. I'm sure he has to do the same thing every year."

Jhandalyn shook her head. "It's not the list that's the problem. It's the part the list plays in the grand scheme."

"Did she say 'grand schematic'?" one of the gnomes muttered. "I want one of those."

Jhandalyn ignored him. "There are things in this world -- object, people, places -- that maintain the integrity of it. That list is one of them. It helps balance the evil with the beneficial, malevolent with kind. If the list is lost, it upsets that natural balance. Reality goes awry. Imagine if a dragon came to take tea with the king." Neither Deadangel nor Jhandalyn seemed to have any idea why the others found the statement so amusing. Jhandalyn continued, "It would be like that all over, impossible to tell the vicious and powerful from the mundane. Because if the list is gone, even the basic fabric of existence cannot tell the naughty from the nice."

"Alright, listen to me, folks," Bippo stood up and turned to face the rest of them. "We're going to split up into teams of two or three. We need to find the list and we need to find it now. I'm going to go pull out the Farseeing Portal and Viewing Screen XL17 and I'll need someone with long legs and lots of stamina to pedal for me. Deadangel," he tapped the night elf on the shoulder, "that's you. The rest of you split up and spread out. Report back in at regular intervals, earlier if you find any leads."

A great deal of murmuring and discussion was going on as Bippo turned back to Jhandalyn. "And where do you think you're best suited? It's your operation, after all. I just like to get the ball rolling." He looked supremely pleased with himself and Jhandalyn couldn't blame him.

"Thank you," she reached out a paw to pat his shoulder in gratitude. "Thank you so much."

Bippo grinned. "Not a problem, ma'am. Now, where do you think you should start looking?"

"I don't know, honestly. I've looked everywhere I could think of that someone would have hidden the list. I've made a circuit of most of the bars I know and still nothing," Jhandalyn shook her head. "I'm out of ideas."

"Do people often hide valuables in bars?" Issicle asked, obviously puzzled.

"I go where the information is," Jhandalyn said. "The town gossip is likelier to hear tales from the travelers than anyone else. Plus it keeps me in ale."

"Why would someone steal the list anyway?" Issicle asked. "If it's so dangerous, why take that chance?"

"Maybe they don't know what will happen," Zoote shook her head sadly. "Maybe they're trying to sell it. Maybe even to those who are on it."

"I'd never considered that," Jhandalyn said thoughtfully. "If they were selling it, there has to be a buyer somewhere. That's it," she looked around happily, the sudden inspiration draining away her former melancholy. "I have to find out who's trying to buy the list and then just trace them back to the seller."

"Excellent!" Bippo said. "That's just the sort of teamwork we need around here. Now go ahead and take someone with you and go check out your information spots. We'll check ours around here and contact you if we find anything."

"I think maybe I'm best suited for that," Deadangel raised one hand. "Rogue stealth and all that. Could be dangerous if the person who stole it finds out you're looking for him. Always nice to have a secret weapon invisible at your back."

"I'm the one going with her," Issicle stood, her calm demeanor, poised on the brink of some unthinkable violence, daring him to challenge her. "Besides, you're already drunk and being on Bippo's treadmill for a few hours will do you some good."

"What? Hours?" Deadangel turned to the gnome, who just shrugged.

"The sacrifices we make for science. C'mon, Dead. I'll need you to help me hook up the machine and carry the volatile chemicals." Bippo hopped off the table.

"We'll let you know if we find out anything," Zoote assured them, pushing Deadangel after Bippo and out the door to the inn.

"So," Issicle clapped her hands together, already bouncing with barely restrained energy. "Where do we go first?"

"Follow me," Jhandalyn slid out of her chair and pulled her cloak tight around her again, smoothing her ears back and pulling the hood over them, just up to her antlers. As they stepped out into the bitter cold, she said, "We need to start with the beginning. So we'll go asking for trouble at the most popular inn in the universe."

"Ooooh. I like trouble," Issicle said, pulling a long coat around her and mittens onto her hands.

"Then you'll love the World Serpent Inn."

***

The world was spinning around her just slightly as Issicle stepped out of Jhandalyn's strange purple portal. Her ears popped as she yawned, like she had flown too high.

Jhandalyn noticed and stopped. "You okay? Feeling a little light-headed?"

Issicle nodded, pushing her hair back behind her ears. "It's just a little dizziness. It's passing."

"Happens sometimes when we go far," Jhandalyn gestured to the darkened, snowy street in front of them. "But we should hurry. Time is of the essence."

"Yes, yes let's go," Issicle nodded. As the two of them walked side by side down the lane, Issicle glanced around at her surroundings. The town reminded her of Stormwind in its architecture; wooden buildings crowded close to one another, the upper floors looming over the streets between them. Lamplights glittered at corners but didn't seem to pierce the darkness beyond. Everything felt darker, the edges sharper, the colors dull and dim. Issicle squinted into the dark, but it didn't dispel the feeling of harshness that the entire place exuded.

"Where are we?" Issicle asked quietly, eyeing the shadows around them.

"A long way from home. But we're nearly there," Jhandalyn raised a paw, pointing at a sign swinging in the wind.

For a moment, Issicle thought the symbol on the sign was merely a sideways figure eight, the symbol for infinity. But as they drew closer, she could see that it was a snake wound into that shape, eating its tail. Issicle frowned. "Who do you think we're going to find here?"

"If someone came to you and said they wanted to sell something very valuable and obviously stolen, wouldn't you go checking around to make sure it was a legitimate offer," Jhandalyn pushed open the door to the tavern and the rush of warm air reminded Issicle just how cold it was outside. "If they're talking about the theft in here, they may be talking about where to get the list."

"Then what do you want me to --" Issicle broke off as a fit of coughing hit her, the dense smoke wafting over her as they entered the common room of the inn.

"Well first you probably need to quit coughing like that," Jhandalyn replied sagely.

Issicle blinked her watery eyes rapidly as she grew used to the harsh smell of the smoke in the air and the way it extended down from the ceiling to just above her head. "You could have warned me," she said, her voice still raw.

Jhandalyn shrugged. "Wouldn't have helped. But go ahead and get a seat at the bar. If you hear anything about the list, come find me. I'll be working my way around the room."

"Got it, boss," Issicle grinned.

Jhandalyn gave her a wry smile and hopped off into the crowd, instantly blending in. Issicle felt less inconspicuous. Most people she saw were dressed in drab colors; even the occasional white cloak seemed dingy. Compared to the rest of them, even the black of Issicle's dress seemed bright enough to draw the eye. There was, however, one exception. Sitting at the bar was a man dressed in bright red robes, nothing Issicle would have called stylish, but flamboyant none-the-less. Beside him was an empty seat. Figuring she would blend in better next to him than anywhere else in the room, Issicle made for the seat beside him.

He didn't look up from the dark beer he was nursing as she sat down, but she didn't let that phase her. Jhandalyn probably only wanted Issicle to draw attention away from the jackalope herself.

"What'll ya have?" asked the man behind the bar. When Issicle turned her attention to him, she frowned. He was extremely thin and from the proportions of his arms and the rest of his body, she didn't think he would be able to reach the top of the bar as he did without stilts at the very least.

"Um, what's the house brew?" she asked, figuring it a safe bet.

The barkeep eyed her a moment, then shook his head. "You couldn't handle the house. I'll get you a bitter."

"But --" she started, but he was already hurrying away.

"Pushy bastard, isn't he?" the man in red asked.

"Strange, too. I've never seen a gnome so thin," she turned to him. His dark eyes were watchful, calculating, but not overtly hostile.

"He's not a gnome," the man replied. "To be honest, I think they're all faeries. It's why I'm not drinking." As if to completely nullify his previous statement, he brought his glass to his lips and took a sip. But Issicle didn't see his throat moving like he was swallowing, even though the glass held less beer than it had when he'd picked it up. "Magic, you see."

"So you think the barkeeps," Issicle leaned over the bar and, sure enough, the floor on the other side was markedly higher on that side, "are faeries? But I thought faeries were smaller."

"They come in all sizes, my dear. All sizes. And each one trickier than the last." He shook his head, "This place is built by them and we come here looking for them. It's ridiculous. They'd as soon skin us as serve us, I think."

The barkeep reappeared with her bitter in hand, setting the mug on the bar in front of her. Issicle paid him and if he looked at the coins a little oddly, he still took them. He glowered at the man, as though he'd heard every word of the conversation. "Anything else you need, ma'am?"

"No thanks," Issicle said, watching him walk away. She turned to the man beside her. "So tell me, why would people come here if the faeries are so fierce. Oh, and," she extended her hand. "I'm Issicle."

The man shook it, nodding to her. "I'm Torin. And this is a place of dreams. I wouldn't even wager a copper on the number of wishes that have been granted within these walls," he said, staring about the large room. "But that doesn't mean everyone got what they were expecting. How you word a wish has a huge influence on the results. You have to be very specific to get what you want and that's too much thought for most people. And even then you might miss something." Torin took another not-a-drink from his beer. "It's why I don't do wishes."

"Then why are you here?" she asked, brows furrowed.

"Same reason you are, I'd say," he said, looking over her with a clinical eye. "Bait. I wouldn't be here otherwise."

Issicle frowned. "I'm not bait."

"You're dressed like it. Besides, there's no shame in being the bait. So long as you have the sense to take care of yourself, at least. And you seem powerful enough. Lots of glowy bits."

"I talked to the man in charge," Jhandalyn said at Issicle's other elbow. The warlock jumped, not having realized the other was so close. "And he said the rumor is that to get the list, you have to talk to a drunk in Lower City in Shattrath."

"Who's the man in charge?" Issicle asked, wondering if Torin was right in his assessment. Would Jhandalyn do something so sinister as to set her out like meat in a trap?

Jhandalyn turned and gestured to a man who was either a very short human or a very tall dwarf. He was quite rotund and obviously older, his hair and beard bleached white with age. His laughter was jolly as he cavorted with his patrons. And he was the spitting image of Greatfather Winter.

"Is he...?" Issicle trailed off, staring.

"What did you think he did the rest of the year?" Jhandalyn asked with a grin. "But we need to get going."

Issicle turned to Torin. "It was nice to meet you," she said.

"Keep a teleport scroll handy," he said, as though he were offering her sound advice. "It's saved my life more than once."

"Sure. Thanks," she said. When they were outside the bar and Jhandalyn was casting her strange purple portal, Issicle said, "He was sure the paranoid one."

"He should be," Jhandalyn said. "There was a dragon in there looking for him."

Issicle blinked a moment in shock, stunned that Torin had been right to be so careful. "Then... was I bait?"

"Of course not," Jhandalyn smiled. "You were a distraction. If people noticed either of us, it would be you. With luck, no one will even remember I was there and no one will be able to tell our thief to be wary of me. C'mon, let's go."

Issicle was shuffled through the portal, still trying to come to terms with that information.

***

"Yes, yes, but it should still be working," Bippo said, banging a spanner against the machine in frustration.

"Not if the khorium wiring isn't properly insulated," Zoote's voice came from beneath the behemoth contraption taking up most of the space in the largest room at the Scryer Inn in Shattrath.

Bippo rolled his eyes. "Yes, I know that. It's why I used that tacky gel the goblins have gotten so fond of."

Zoote slid out from under the device and gave him a long look. "You used something the goblins make in a gnomish device?"

"It's not like I went out and told them, 'Oh I'm looking for parts for a machine I'm not going to give you the plans for,'" Bippo rolled his eyes. "I sent one of the druids to go buy it for me."

"I still think it's a poor practice," Zoote said, but scooted back under the machine. She tinkered with it a bit more, with Bippo offering helpful commentary (or at least he thought it was helpful) before she cried out, "Ah ha! Here's the problem! We're missing the Ultralite Conversion Adapter! You must have forgotten to put it in place."

Bippo frowned. "No, I installed it myself, just last week. Let me see." He crawled under there with her and, sure enough, the space for the adapter was empty, the leads hanging listlessly. "That's odd... I know I put it in there."

"Looks like it might have been pulled out," Zoote pointed to the way the wires had frayed. "Maybe someone else needed one for a project?"

"Well if they did, they didn't have my permission to take it. I suppose I'll need to get the parts for another one," Bippo sighed.

"Does this mean I can stop running?" Deadangel asked, breathless, from his place on the giant wheel that gave the machine power. "I'm not drunk anymore, I promise."

"Sure, Deadangel," Zoote said as the two gnomes slid out from underneath the device. "We'll call you when we need you."

"Great. Make that never," he said, hopping off the wheel and making for the door.

"Don't go too far," Bippo called after him. "We may need you to run an errand to the hardware store."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Deadangel called back over his shoulder. Once outside the inn, the night elf inconspicuously dropped something that rather resembled an Ultralite Conversion Adapter into the nearest trash can, breathing a sigh of relief as he did so.

***

The World's End Tavern wasn't smokey, and for that Issicle was truly relieved. Though the patrons looked a bit shady, it wasn't surprising given the rest of Lower City's reputation and inhabitants. Very deliberately, Issicle didn't make eye contact with the few Horde she saw at a table in the back. No reason to start a confrontation neither side could finish.

Jhandalyn hopped up to the bar like it was just an ordinary night, though, and ordered herself a pint. "Want anything?" she asked Issicle.

"Wine, white," Issicle told the barkeep, a Broken man who nodded mutely and went to get their drinks. "Why are we sitting around like this?" Issicle asked Jhandalyn quietly.

"We buy the drinks so the barkeep will answer our questions," Jhandalyn replied softly, "and we sit here a while to look like we're here for the atmosphere, not for information."

"But you went right up to the person you wanted to talk to at the World Serpent Inn," Issicle asked. "Why so different here?"

"I wanted to get in and out of that place as fast as I could," Jhandalyn said. "Did I mention the dragon? Yeah, I didn't want to be anywhere near ground zero when that explosion happened."

The barkeep set down a mug for Jhandalyn and a glass of sparkling Stormwind white for Issicle. Jhandalyn paid him quickly, including a handsome tip. He nodded in appreciation and then retreated to the other end of the bar.

"Thanks for the drink," Issicle said, sipping the wine and tasting home, "But I thought you said he'd talk to us now."

"When we want him to, I'm sure he will. For right now, we're still trying to blend in."

"You're never going to blend in," Issicle grinned at her. "You're too unique."

Jhandalyn chuckled. "Maybe, but the less conspicuous we look the better."

Jhandalyn ordered a second round almost before Issicle was finished with the first. The night breeze twirled through the wide, open doorway of the bar, cooling them without the harshness of winter. Outlands never did really have seasonal changes the way the rest of Azeroth did.

"I have a question for you," Issicle asked halfway through her second glass.

"Hmm?" Jhandalyn looked up from her mug, glassy eyed and relaxed.

"Where did we go before? I've never heard of the World Serpent Inn and everything there just looked... I don't know, strange."

"Different world, sort of a meeting place for all worlds," Jhandalyn said slowly. "Didn't figure it would do any harm and I was right."

"So you didn't think I'd get hurt, being a distraction for you?"

The jackalope shook her head, the bells on her ear tinkling softly. "You're strong, smart, and probably pretty quick with a spell. I wasn't worried about you."

"Now should I take that as a compliment or as a sign that you don't care much for my welfare?"

"Take it like it was intended," Jhandalyn laid a soft paw on Issicle's arm. "As me having the confidence to take you into a dangerous place, knowing you'd be able to handle yourself. And you did just fine."

Issicle thought it over. "I did, didn't I? Not that anything much happened, but still. It wasn't so bad."

"Exactly. Now," she pushed her mug away and motioned the Broken barkeep over. "Shaarubo," she addressed him, "tell me, who's the regular around here." Surreptitiously she slid a few coins across the bar.

Shaarubo picked them up and nodded to an ogre sitting across the way. Jhandalyn looked at the ogre, then back at the Broken man with a puzzled look. Shaarubo just shrugged and walked away.

"Guess that's the one," Jhandalyn said. She slipped off her seat at the bar and wandered over to the ogre, who was seated facing the wall. Issicle fought the urge to summon a pet. It was a close victory. Jhandalyn poked the large, fleshy creature and said, "Hey, can we talk to you?"

The ogre turned to them wobbly, his eyes cloudy and his head obviously not at all clear. "Ya?" he rumbled.

"We were looking for something," Jhandalyn continued without missing a beat and Issicle wondered if all her informants were usually drunk. "Something sort of valuable. Can you help?"

"Buy Raliq beer, Raliq see if you get help," the ogre replied, blinking rapidly as he tried to focus on the two of them. "We see. We see."

Jhandalyn shook her head, muttering, "I'm going to run out of gold at this rate," but went back to the bar and returned carrying two mugs of ale.

Raliq's eyes lit up at the sight. He reached out clumsily and grabbed one mug from Jhandalyn's paws, downing it immediately. The second he set in front of him. "Joo good wolpertinker," he nodded to her. "Not like others who run away from me. They don't bring me beer."

"Yes, I've been told I make a good wolpertinker," Jhandalyn continued soothingly. "But we wanted to know about where to find something valuable. Do you know?"

"Keep valuable things in bank," Raliq nodded sagely. "That best plan. But don't try to rob. Goblins come after joo." He rubbed his head as if remembering past bruises. "Clubs hurt."

"Claws hurt, too," Jhandalyn held up a paw, showing several large, sharp points protruding unnaturally from her fingers. "Tell us what we want to know, Raliq. I won't be toyed with."

The ogre, eyes wide and clear now, held up his hands in a gesture of relenting. "Raliq tell, Raliq tell. Wolpertinker not shred me, okay? Okay?"

"Talk," Jhandalyn said, sliding the forgotten ale toward him. "We've paid for your time."

"What kind of valuable things joo look for?" the ogre asked warily. "Raliq know where lots of things are. Some things can't tell without asking."

Jhandalyn sighed. "A list, Raliq. We're looking for a list."

Raliq's eyes widened in surprise. "You look for," his voice dropped to a whisper, "Naughty List?"

Jhandalyn nodded. "Yes, how can we get ahold of it?"

"Come back in a week. Raliq contact buyer, buyer tell me where to meet joo, I tell joo where to meet him." Raliq nodded, like business was concluded, but Jhandalyn wasn't satisfied.

"No, you tell me how to find him now," she hopped up on the table and brandished her claws against his midsection. Issicle looked around, worried that others might jump in to defend the ogre, but this was Lower City. People might defend their own, but Raliq obviously belonged to no one in the bar. One less barfly wasn't going to impress them one way or the other.

Raliq leaned back from the table and her claws, waving his hands back and forth trying to ward her away. "Is how he wants it. Says if anyone asks, tell them that."

"You're lying," Jhandalyn shot back. "In a week the list would be useless. How do I find him." She pressed forward.

"Don't know, don't know," Raliq whimpered, leaning back farther. Too far, as it turned out. The chair fell, dumping him on his back and upending his table. Issicle jumped back but Jhandalyn rode it out, hopping onto the ogre's tremendous chest as soon as he hit the floor.

"Tell me," she threatened, her claws pressed to his throat.

The ogre whimpered. "Bad elf, he give me wrong directions. He say to tell people what I tell joo, that's all, that's all!"

"Dammit!" Jhandalyn cursed, sliding off the ogre. "It's a dead end. We'll have to hope the others are having better luck with that scrying device of theirs."

"Wait," Issicle said, stopping the jackalope from leaving. She turned to the snuffling ogre. "What did this elf look like? Did he say or do anything to tell you where he was from?"

Raliq shook his head. "Him elf, look tasty. Have white hair, very mean. Always drink wine, make Raliq pay."

"What kind of wine?" Issicle asked.

"Teldrassil Reserve," Raliq said, wincing. "Not cheap wine."

"Thanks, Raliq," Issicle said, tossing him a few coins. The ogre was all too overjoyed at the sprinkling of cash. Issicle turned back to Jhandalyn and they headed out into the night.

"You have an idea?" Jhandalyn asked.

"I do. It's a night elf who's used to drinking Darnassus wine. Most bars wouldn't even keep Teldrassil Reserve in stock. Too much overhead."

Jhandalyn raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought you were just a garden variety warlock. Seems you've had a few unique experiences along the way."

Issicle grinned. "I've held down an odd job or two. Let's go see Bippo, though. His viewing machine will be a big help."

***

"I told you not to use that goblin goop!" Zoote cried over the clanging and banging of the contraption.

"It's not my fault it reached its expiration date!" Bippo cried back, relentlessly banging on a hinge with his spanner.

"Yes, actually, it is! You should have had more on hand if it was going to be so central to your operation!" Zoote yelled.

"Quit haranguing me and help me get this thing fixed!" Bippo cried desperately as steam started to burst from the seams of the device.

"Should we come back in an hour?" Issicle called over the clamour. The innkeeper stood in the doorway behind her looking disturbed by both the noise and what had happened to the room. What looked like a cylindrical boiler had been set up at one end leading to a panel in the middle with a view screen on top. A number of red lights flashed violently on the panel, indicating any number of problems. The bed and table had been scooted out of the way in one corner and the wheel that supplied initial power to the boiler rested nearly against one wall.

"I don't think an hour is going to do you any good," Zoote called, crawling out from under the boiler. "I think it's time to either shut it down or press self destruct." She looked pointedly at Bippo.

"Alright, alright," he grumbled. With heavy steps, the gnome trudged over to the pane, pressed a few buttons and pulled a lever. He paused, looking at the machine like it should have done something besides continue chugging along. "It should have stopped!" he called.

"Did you disengage the power supply?" Zoote ran forward, looking over the panel.

"It's got redundancy," Bippo admitted. "It might not have fully disengaged."

"Shut down the redundant systems!" Zoote called.

Issicle began backing out of the room. To the inkeeper she said, "I think maybe we should get out of here."

"I think you're right," he said, backing out quickly. "Do you think the inn will be left standing?"

"Maybe," Issicle said, clambering down the stairs.

"No luck?" Jhandalyn asked as soon as they got outside.

"I don't know," Issicle said, turning back to the inn and watching as the steady cloud of steam erupting from one of the upper windows grew larger and larger. "They were having some problems with the machine."

"Big problems," Jhandalyn muttered.

"Oh, my inn!" the innkeep moaned.

The thick cloud suddenly stopped, as though capped.

"What do you think that means?" the innkeep asked.

Then the two gnomes hopped out the window, Zoote catching a tree limb beside the window to slow her fall and Bippo casting a spell to do the same. They ran toward the group, making shooing motions.

"Get back!" Bippo cried.

"It's not going to hold for long," Zoote shouted.

"My inn!" the innkeep yelled as the arcane shield holding the explosion at bay flew free. With a great BOOM the room was obliterated along with part of the upper floor.

"That's not working as intended," Bippo said thoughtfully.

"You're damned right it's not!" the man charged the gnome. "You're going to pay for the repairs and then some. You didn't have authorization to build that thing in my inn."

"I followed protocol as was stated on the card on the back of the door," Bippo said "There was no admonishment against engineering."

The two continued to yell as Zoote drew Issicle and Jhandalyn away. "We didn't find anything. The machine was out of working order and once we managed to repair it, there were other problems."

"Wasn't Deadangel with you?" Issicle asked.

"He left after he got the boiler running," Zoote said. "We were still having problems with a lost piece of the device."

"So where does that leave us?" Issicle turned to Jhandalyn.

Jhandalyn shook her head. "Nowhere. We know the thief was probably a night elf who drinks Teldrassil Reserve, but that might just be a cover or a front man."

"But we have to find that list!" Issicle cried. "Winter Veil won't be the same and, like you said, the balance of the world rests on Greatfather Winter knowing that information."

Jhandalyn collapsed to the flagstones, looking dejectedly at her paws. "But I don't know where else we can go, what leads to follow. Teldrassil Reserve is expensive and uncommon, but not so uncommon that we wouldn't have to check half of Azeroth to find a bar where one of the bartenders remembers an elf who orders that kind of wine regularly. And he might not even order it regularly! He made the ogre buy it for him, after all."

"Wait!" Issicle snapped her fingers. "That's it! Teldrassil Reserve is expensive here in Outland and it's still not cheap on Azeroth, but I bet the bars in Darnassus sell it at a much more reasonable price! If our thief is as tight-fisted with his cash as he seems, he would go straight to the source."

The jackalope looked up, surprised and pleased at the human's ingenuity. "That sounds really plausible. If nothing else, it gives us someplace else to look."

"Time's a wasting." Bippo said, leaving the polymorphed inkeep behind him and already casting a portal to the night elf home city. "We need to get a move on."

"Wait, maybe we should bring someone who can sneak around for us, get a good view of the place?" Zoote said. "Better to go in informed if we have the chance."

"Didn't you have Deadangel with you a while ago?" Issicle asked. "We can just bring him along."

"He ran out on us long before you showed up," Bippo said, completing the casting. A shimmering portal of blue revealed Darnassus just beyond. "But I think I saw Lilena stalking around the place. She could do the same job and with less complaints. But we need to be quick about it." He cast a glance over his shoulder at the sheep.

A few minutes later, they found Lilena stretched out in her cat form in the rising sun on one of the upper tiers. "Sure," she said when Issicle asked her to join their cause, "I'll be happy to take a quick sniff around the place. I love Winter Veil as much as the next druid."

Together, the five of them headed back to Bippo's portal and ventured through, the sun in Darnassus just cresting the horizon, bathing the dim city in uncharacteristic yellow light.

"It's really very pretty this way," Bippo said, looking around.

"Happens every so often," Lilena said. "Has to be the right time of year and there's usually some cloud cover, but we get bright days now and again."

"So," Issicle said, rubbing her hands together in anticipation, "where to first?"

"That'd be Lilena's department. She knows the city better than the rest of us," Zoote said, turning to the night elf, who looked thoughtful.

"A bar. I know I've seen a bar around here somewhere," Lilena glanced around, running her fingers through her green hair to straighten it. "Here, we'll walk around and find it."

The next hour was spent fruitlessly searching the great city of the elves for a drinking establishment. There were a number of inns, but they simply rented rooms. The alchemists didn't run a bar (though they hinted at a still; everyone politely declined a taste). And even the rogues deep within the hollowed out tree in the druid glen didn't have a setup.

Their last resort was to ask for directions.

"Of course we don't have a place like that in our city," Commander Skymane said derisively from the back of her great black saber. "Darnassus is a city of peace and learning, beauty and tranquility. Our kind do not need such base entertainments to amuse ourselves." She sniffed huffily. "But I'm surprised you don't have a dwarf with you. Them I would expect such things from."

Both Zoote and Bippo were holding Jhandalyn back from attempting to flay the commander alive by the time she was done with the end of her rant. Lilena smoothed the night elf's indignance while Issicle helped the gnomes drag the jackalope away.

When Jhandalyn pulled free, she made her way to the edge of the water that flowed all around the city, wetting her paws and dabbing them against her face. She collapsed to the ground. "Well there goes that lead." She looked up to see Lilena arrive. "I thought you said there were places that sold wine around here."

Lilena, looking embarrased, shrugged. "I've never gone drinking in the city. Whenever I go home to the country, though, there's a nice little bar inside the inn. I just assumed Darnassus was the same."

"Maybe we can go there?" Issicle said hopefully. "After all, a small town barkeep is going to be more likely to remember a familiar face who doesn't live in the community, right?"

"Excuse me?" They turned as one to look at the green-haired night elf dismounting from a white and black striped saber. "I couldn't help overhearing your... discussion with Commander Skymane. She's really a very good commander, just not too good with the tourists."

"It's alright, dear," Zoote smiled up at her. "We understand not everyone is meant for the social spotlight."

The elf shook her head. "What I meant is that she's wrong. There's a bar here in Darnassus, it's just not one that many people know about. If you came here to see the sights, it's definitely a place to see."

"Really?" Jhandalyn hopped to her feet. "Tell me about it? Where is is?"

The elven woman smiled and pushed a strand of emerald-colored hair behind one ear. "It's easy to find. Go over to the crafters terrace and then head back into the woods. It's a hollow oak tree and the entrance faces away from the city. But there's a distinctive glow about the place. You can't miss it."

"Is it outside the walls of the city?" Lilena asked, puzzled.

The elf shook her head. "It's still inside the walls, but it's not a part of it. You know how these places can be."

"Yes," Jhandalyn said before the rest of them could answer otherwise. "That's exactly the sort of place we're looking for. Thanks."

"Glad to be of service," she bowed and left.

"Do you know where she was talking about?" Jhandalyn turned to Lilena.

"Sure. I can take us to the crafters terrace," Lilena said. "But once we get to the woods, we'll have to all keep an eye out. I'm as lost as the rest of you there."

They nodded and followed Lilena. The crafters terrace was just coming to life, the merchants and craftsmen setting out their goods for sale for the day, placing chalkboard signs out to display specials, and greeting one another in the crisp dawn air.

At the end of the row of artfully sweeping buildings, the trees crowded in close. Lilena led them into the grove and they spread out, each searching for the glow the woman had described.

"I don't know what glow she's talking about," Bippo muttered to Issicle as they pushed through the overgrowth. "It's just trees and more trees as far as the eye can see."

Issicle laughed. "Maybe from where you're standing, but I can see birds and the mountains ahead and I think the wall is off to our right."

Bippo muttered darkly. "Was that a short joke?" he growled.

"I'd never call you short, Bippo," Issicle said, doing her best not to smile too broadly.

"Here!" Zoote called, saving Issicle from having to defend herself further.

They turned and headed south, following the sound of the gnome's voice. Lilena was already there, just changing out of her cheetah form. Zoote pointed just ahead to a shifting, changing light streaming out of a nearby tree. Soft motes of different pale colors floated past, making the place look magical and unique. Just as the sentry had described, the place was carved into the center of a massive tree. A tall archway around the back led inside, spilling more drifting motes into the clearing. The sign hanging above it read, "Gloaming."

"This does look like the place," Jhandalyn said nodding to Lilena. "Do you think you can sneak inside and see who's there?"

"Won't take but a minute," Lilena said with a smile. She shifted into cat form and faded into the shadows of the forest.

The rest of them were resolved to waiting outside. Resolved might not be the right word, though. More like momentarily decided.

"I wonder what a hidden bar looks like. I bet it's far more lavish than a regular bar," Zoote mused. "They probably charge exorbitantly because their clientele is so small."

"Actually," Bippo said, poking his head just inside the arch, "it looks pretty tame. Just a bunch of comfortable seats and a few tables in the middle. There's some stairs leading higher up into the tree."

Issicle stepped forward to take a peek herself.

"Do you see anyone?" Jhandalyn asked anxiously.

Both Issicle and Bippo shook their heads. "It's empty," Bippo reported.

"Then we should go inside, chat up the barkeep," Jhandalyn said already hopping into Gloaming.

The glow projected outside only intensified once the four of them went in. Long ribbons of light cascaded across the walls, the light seeming to flow like water through narrow channels. It gave the whole room a misty feel as the wisps of light gradually floated away from their moorings. A bar ran the length of the left wall and a tall, slender night elf with bright purple hair and a wary eye appraised them from behind it.

"Welcome to the Gloaming," she nodded. "Care for a drink?"

"We'll go poke around," Zoote said, already following Bippo over to examine the misty light.

Issicle and Jhandalyn headed to the bar to take up the barkeep's invitation.

"Do you carry Teldrassil Reserve?" Jhandalyn asked.

The barkeep frowned. "Usually patrons are looking for something more unique, but yes, we carry it."

"I would dearly love to sample what you have that's unique," Issicle said, staring past the woman at the rows and rows of strangely shaped and colored bottles behind the bar, "but we've got other business first. Namely, do you have any regulars who drink Teldrassil Reserve?"

The barkeep chuckled, smirking. "I wondered if you were with him. He's in here nearly every day like clockwork. Orders a single glass and drinks it like a bird, tiny little sips. Drives Marjana nuts because he doesn't tip her too well either. You're friends of his?"

Jhandalyn shook her head. "Not really. He's up on the second floor, right? There's no exits up there are there?"

The barkeep frowned. "He is and there's not. What's this about? I've seen creatures of myth and legend wander through before, but not usually to accost my patrons."

"He stole Greatfather Winter's Naughty List," Jhandalyn said, hopping down. "I have to get it back."

"Oh," the elf's hand slid away from where it had been creeping, probably a concealed weapon or alarm system, Issicle figured. "Then be my guest."

Issicle waved Zoote and Bippo over, pulling their attention away from the lights. "He's upstairs," she told them quietly.

They climbed the stairs to the second floor, a thin line of blue light following them up to the open doorway of the upper half of the bar. Issicle reached out and hesitantly touched the flowing blue light, but there was neither heat nor chill, just the soft brush of mist over her fingers.

"We're not sure what it is," Zoote said quietly, noticing her testing. "But we want to find out."

Jhandalyn shushed them and peered around the corner into the room.  She looked back and hissed, "He's in there."

Issicle leaned over Jhandalyn's head to look while Zoote leaned down. Bippo scrambled up the jackalope's back, looking past her antlers. The four could see two figures, seated at a table in the middle of the room. One was Lilena. The other was a night elf with long white hair facing away from the group.

"Surely Lilena wouldn't..." Zoote began as they all walked into the room.

"Is this a trap?" Bippo asked, looking around warily.

"You know, I sort of recognize those glowy shoulderpads," Issicle said thoughtfully, pointing to the elf mastermind behind it all.

"Hey guys," Lilena called, spotting them. "Look who I found. I bet he's looking for the thief, too."

"Not exactly," Deadangel said, standing to face them with a smirk. "But --"

That's about the point they all jumped him, except for Lilena, who looked on with some confusion.

The two gnomes, using their height to their advantage, each tackled one of his legs, riding him to the floor. Issicle followed, pinning Deadangel's midsection to the ground and Jhandalyn hopped on his chest.

"Now wait, guys," Deadangel grunted under the weight.

"No," Jhandalyn said gruffly. "Tell us where the list is. Now."

"So it was Deadangel all along?" Lilena asked, standing over them. "I wondered at him being in the same place we were, but I didn't even suspect him."

"I don't think any of us did," Issicle said. "And why did you do it, anyway, Dead?"

He shrugged, pushing against the jackalope but not enough to unseat her. "It's sort of what I do. Pick pocketing, sleight of hand," he shrugged. "Eventually grabbing the jewels off the dwarf king's tankard of ale got a little boring. This was, like, a step up."

Issicle rolled her eyes but Jhandalyn pinched his neck. Deadangel twitched away. "Ow."

"Tell us where the list is," the jackalope demanded.

"It's in my belt pouch," he said. "I was hoping you might be a buyer."

Jhandalyn reached around Issicle but Lilena stopped her. "Careful. He keeps his flash powder in there," the druid said. She reached into the pouch slowly and withdrew a scrollcase. Jhandalyn hopped off and Lilena handed her the case. She opened it and peered inside. Issicle thought she heard just the gentlest tinkling of music, but then Jhandalyn capped the case and it was gone.

"It's there, alright. And just in time." she slipped it into her jacket. "Now, what to do with you."

"I've had my wine, you've got your list, sounds like an even trade," Deadangel said with an innocent-looking smile.

"If it were me," Jhandalyn narrowed her eyes at him, "I'd string you up and skin you. But I figure your friends here did at least as much of the work as I did. I'll abide their decision."

Bippo muttered something about taking away "dikapey," but Issicle shushed him. "We'll take care of him, but the list still needs to get to Greatfather Winter, doesn't it?"

"It does," Jhandalyn nodded. "And I will leave him to you, then." A purple portal sprang to life in front of her and she hopped through.

"Now," Issicle's hand glowed green, "Deadangel, tell me about your greatest fear..."

***

Winter Veil night came with a blizzard any mage would have been proud of. Children all around Azeroth and Outland snuggled deep into their warm beds, holding visions of Greatfather Winter and the gifts he would bring close to their hearts. Carols were sung around crackling fires and snowball fights erupted spontaneously in the streets of Stormwind. Or perhaps not entirely spontaneously, because Ashmier really had been pulling Grundle's bushy orange beard just before he woke up from his flight all the way from Ironforge, and so there was the matter of dwarvish honor to avenge. And the guild, as was usual, chose sides quickly and picked up the pitched battle of snow and ice.

They rolled through the streets, each side alternately advancing and retreating, laughing and tumbling through snow drifts. Tiffani ducked behind carts and crates, her bright red hair making her a target even as she foundHalocrow's slinking form padding around the edge of the shadows. She threw the snowball in her hand just as Halocrow did the same. Tiffani's ball of snow found its mark as Mithrilmoon, warm in her bear form though it made throwing snowballs more difficult, knocked the mage out of the way, taking the cold, hard ball along her muzzle instead. Growling -- as bears are wont to do -- Mithrilmoon charged Halocrow who was doing his best to slink away.

The two druids went rolling past Issicle, who was carefully melting the outside of a snowball over a tiny green flame on the end of her finger and then letting it refreeze into a hard outer shell. Issicle held the snowball out toBaghwan to inspect. They were both crouched in the doorway of a shop that had chosen to blow out its lights and bar its door rather than become part of the sport. "Does this look like it would knock a man off his feet?" Issicle asked.

Baghwan looked at the snowball with a critical eye. He nodded, turning to survey the field. "I think it might just be the thing to get the dwarf off the gnome," the priest pointed toGrundle sitting atop Ashmier while stuffing large amounts of snow down the mage's ostentatious robes.

Issicle grinned and rared back to throw. Then movement caught her eye. Brown fur with a dark cape and distinctive antlers sticking up from it. She handed the snowball toBaghwan. "You go ahead. I'll be back in a minute." Baghwan shrugged and took the snowball, chunking it at the struggling pair before fading into the shadows himself.

But Issicle didn't notice the fight any longer. She was too intent on following the jackalope moving at speed through the city. It wasn't all that surprising that when she turned the corner she saw nothing but the slowly closing door of the Pig & Whistle Tavern. The warmth was enveloping when she stepped inside, as was the scent of mingled pine and cinnamon. Reese, thetavernkeep , had a habit of overdoing the holiday mulled wine. A pair of night elves sat up in the loft, softly singing carols in their own tongue over said mulled wine. And in the corner, just where she'd sat before, Jhandalyn stared at her serenely.

"So it's finished, then?" Issicle asked, sitting down across from her. "The list is safe?"

Jhandalyn smirked. "It's back in his hands, yes. Whether or not it's safe is up for discussion. After all, a simple rogue managed to steal it from him before."

"Then there will be presents tonight?" Issicle grinned.

The look Jhandalyn gave her was fond. "Of course there will be. He wouldn't disappoint all the children and raiders of the world. He's not heartless and he's not invulnerable. But don't tell anyone I said that."

Issicle drew two fingers across her lips as though sealing them shut. "I won't tell a soul," she promised.

"Yes, but it's not you I'm worried about," Jhandalyn nodded to the rogue standing just behind Issicle, not quite concealed in the bright light of tavern's fire.

"Um, yeah, about that..." Deadangel began.

Issicle stood and faced him, glaring. There was a brightness to her green eyes that had nothing to do with anger and everything to do with magic. "You'd better not say anything, Dead. You know what I know and I'm not afraid to use it. But you should be."

Deadangel held up his hands, showing both that they were empty of weapons and that he didn't plan on trying anything. "I'm not here to try to assassinate Greatfather Winter. I can't even imagine the trouble I'd be in for that. However, there are those who aren't so scrupulous and it might be prudent to give me incentive to keep them from finding out." He let the implications hang for a moment as both women looked at him with shock and disgust. Then he broke out laughing. "Just kidding! I wanted to see the look on your faces, and boy, was it worth it! You two looked mortified!"

"You know," Jhandalyn turned to Issicle conversationally, her paws moving in arcane gestures that seemed to flit about faster than the eye could follow. "I just realized I didn't get you anything for Winter Veil. And you've been so helpful that I would be remiss to forget. So here," she pointed abruptly at Deadangel who promptly turned into a wolpertinker. He hissed at them both, obviously quite put out. "It won't last long," she continued, peering over the table as the night elf-turned-rabbit tried to fade into the shadows and failed, "but I think it will be a good lesson to him and should provide you hours of enjoyment."

Issicle reached down and scooped up the struggling wolpertinker. "Aw, he's adorable this way!" she scratched him behind the ears, which Deadangel resolutely resisted enjoying. "Now I just need to find a tankard to keep him in."

Jhandalyn chuckled. "Well Happy Winter Veil to you, Issicle. And if you ever get a tickle to go hunt down those other hidden bars, just give me a jingle."

Issicle turned back to the table, still smiling. "I will..." she said, but Jhandalyn was gone. In her place was a small gold bell attached to a purple ribbon. Issicle picked it up and jiggled it. The tinkling it made was pleasant, but seemed to resonate far beyond the size of its tiny sound. She smiled, then turned back to Deadangel, stuffing the bell in her pocket. "Hey Reese!" she called as the other members of Elysian began pouring in the door in various states of cold, wet, and frozen, "Do you have a spare tankard I could buy off ya?" It was, all in all, one of the best Winter Veils the warlock could remember.

Also, I desperately wanted to title this "The Most Important Question" in homage to Hogfather, but I figured not enough people would get the joke. Thanks, Daddy, for making me read it :D.