The magistrate stroked his beard as the wind furiously ruffled his golden-brown hair. His gaze was fixed on the grey sea that separated Southshore and The Wetlands. It was choppy. The darkening clouds above warned of a storm that the surrounding fishermen murmured about to each other, while packing their nets, bait and tackle. Henry Maleb sat down on the pier, hoping that it would make his dusk-coloured robes dance considerably less with the wind. Maerwynn stood boldly on the edge with her back to him, arms folded, as usual. Her wild chestnut hair flailed with the breath of sea, in high contrast to her rigid silver armoured form, that seemed to meld with the water when the sun helplessly peeped through the clouds.

"You cannot stay here forever." The magistrate almost shouted, the wind carrying most of his voice in the opposite direction to where desired. Maerwynn turned around wearing an expression he knew well. She looked very calm, but her piercing blue eyes betrayed her, informing Maleb of her restlessness and agitation. "Let us go inside, it will rain soon." he said, holding his robes as he got up.

Inside his house was warm and well-lit. Layered crimson carpets covered much of the oak floors in the hall. The walls were decorated with finely penned maps of the surrounding country-side. The wooden furniture was simple and sturdy. Very few items discerned themselves as things of wealth, save for the luxuriously leather bound books that filled the many bookshelves. A sweet smell of cinnamon bread invaded Maerwynn's nostrils as she paced to the dining room, watching how Maleb's robes flowed like calm water with each of his movements as he entered.

It was a big room. Various tapestries hung from the walls, each flanked by trident-like candle-sticks. Suits of gleaming armour guarded each of the four corners, almost eerily watching the table in the centre where as many as sixteen could be seated on large and thick cherry-wood chairs. Upon entering, Maerwynn heavily sat herself down in the middle and sighed, brushing her hair back from her face. Maleb stood at the other side, leaning on the table. They both stayed silent for a few moments, just looking at one another. Three lady servants brought in some wine, cheese and bread, eyeing the voiceless two with wonder as they set the table. As soon as they left, Maleb repeated himself. "You cannot stay here forever."
"Why not? After everything I have done for this town, for your town, you are telling me to leave?" Maerwynn began to frown, grabbing a large piece of cheese and a slice of bread.
"Don't ever doubt that I am grateful, because you know I am...but you know as well as I do that you are wasting your time here."
"I am not. This town needs protecting."
"Stormwind needs protecting."
"Stormwind doesn't want to be protected!" Maerwynn angrily took a large bite out of her cheese. "That city is like an over-sized tavern. There are meaningless brawls everywhere, even in the cathedral! It's a waste of my time."
"So you mean to tell me that working for the Lady Amarae is a waste of time?"
"She is wasting her time there!" she wolfed down her cheese and hastily grabbed a goblet, drinking a large gulp that she swallowed with minor difficulty. "I hate wine." she grimaced and then chewed on some bread, hoping it would smother the taste.
"Well you're not getting any ale. I want you to be sober for this." Maleb sat down, looking directly at the well-toned warrior woman who pouted like a child.
"Stormwind is unworthy of her abilities."
"Stormwind is the last human fortification we have on this side of Azeroth."
"And it's a joke!" she slammed her armoured fist on the table. The bread crumbled in her grasp. Wine almost splashed out of the goblets.
"Calm down Maerw-"
"Scarlets roam free like citizens, warlocks bring their demons into the cathedral, thieves choose killing over mugging, countless cults disgrace the Light openly and people are humping in the streets! The only thing I haven't seen in that blasted city is the Syndicate! And with that said, it's probably because I was too busy policing everything else!" she slammed her fist on the table again then leaned back in her chair, brushing the crumbs from her gauntlet. She breathed heavily with angry passion. Maleb sighed deeply into his right hand, rubbing it over his face then into his hair.
"I see. So you're adamant about leaving that place behind."
"I will never go back." she glared.
"I pulled a lot of strings to get your name on that census so you could enroll at the keep." his voice, somehow deepened as he said that. Maerwynn was taken aback. Her defiant expression grew quiet and shameful. "What did Lady Amarae say when you left?"
"I didn't tell her."
"You didn't tell her?" his eyes widened and he raised his voice. "So you just packed your bags and left?"
"I wrote her a letter yesterday..."
"You wrote her a letter yesterday! What good is that to her when you have been gone for weeks? Do you not realise the man power she could have been using to find you?!" Maleb found himself standing, shouting at the top of his voice. He regained his composure and sat down, clearing his throat.
"She probably assumed I died because I failed to be good enough and got on with her life."
"Then let us hope that." he siezed his goblet and sipped the wine, looking at Maerwynn with narrowed eyes. He was utterly disgusted. "What are you going to do with yourself now?"
"Well, since you won't let me stay here, I don't know."
"You can't stay here forever."
"I know." She took another bite out of her cheese.

The rain then drummed and pummelled on the roof, densely, like falling pebbles.