The trade district bustled with happy activity. Salesmen pushed their carts into the square and started offering their crafted goods. A crowd of good-natured gnomes chatted animatedly around the mail box. A few mages even offered their portal services to Darnassus for free.

Albie sat on his box, watching the spectacle unfold on the streets below. Sipping coffee from his mug, he fondly patted Pandy who was sleeping by his side. The sun was shining, many cute gnomettes were about, and there was not a single seller of counterfeit money yelling nearby. Yes, it was a good day.

Squinting into the sun, he didn't see the big cat leaping towards him. With a deafening growl the furry animal crashed into his side. It clamped its jaws hard over the gnome's legs, shaking its head. Albie wasn't even able to yelp in pain before being thrown off the box. He smashed headfirst into the cobblestones below. A crunching noise. Blinding pain. Then nothing.

A while later, Albie sat up and rubbed his temples. Confused, he picked up his hat from the street and brushed some dust off his cloak. He felt surprisingly good. No bite marks from the cat were visible. Heck, all his scars, from battles old and new, were gone! Even his gimped leg felt good. It was as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, carrying all wounds and hurt with it.

Pandy was nowhere to be seen, though. Probably sauntered off to find a safe spot to sleep, the lazy cub. Albie smiled at the thought.

He noticed the silence first. Where there minutes ago had been chatter, clatter and yelling, now nary a sound could be heard. Apart from a pleasant hum emanating from somewhere behind him. Turning around, he was even more surprised. Jaw-dropping, jump out of his pants-surprised.

A gentle light pulsated toward him. In front of the light stood a couple of smiling gnomes. Holding their hands out, as if getting ready for an embrace. Beckoning him toward them.

Albie's looked at the gnomes' familiar features. His eyes misted over. These were two gnomes he hadn't seen for years. Not since he escaped from Gnomeregan.

"Mums! Dads!"

Rushing forward, he felt weightless. He reached out for the safety, comfort and love of his parents. All felt good.
--
In the Stormwind streets, a crowd had gathered around the bloodied body of a gnome. A constable from the Watch moved in to check the body for life signs, kicking away a broken mug in the process.

A crying panda cub nuzzled the body with its wet nose, as if trying to wake the gnome up.

No success. The gnome didn't move.

Part 2 can be read at: http://www.argentarchives.org/node/2558