22. The Story of Yjasafein
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Yjasafein was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. A native of Silvermoon City, she enjoyed a life of privilege and splendor. Her father was a Blood Knight and her mother was a housewife. Despite all of the luxurious trappings of the nobility, her relationship with her parents was strained. Her father longed for a son, but her mother’s pregnancy had been difficult, and the couple was unable to bear any more children. Yjasafein’s mother was a nitpicky, critical woman who had no tolerance for less-than-perfect people (especially people who were not Blood Elves). Her father was very reserved and unaffectionate towards his daughter.
Desperate for attention from her father, Yjasafein strove to become the son he always wanted. She pleaded for him to teach her how to use a sword, and how to master the Light as he did. When Yjasafein’s mother loudly protested, her father retorted, “It’s all just a childish phase that will pass with time. Leave the girl alone!” He was actually surprised when his daughter proved quite proficient with a sword and shield, and wielded Light magic was well as any of his students.
When Yjasafein came of age, she did what was expected of her and begrudgingly accepted a marriage proposal from a young Blood Knight she barely knew; a move heavily influenced by her father. Although her new husband was only a minor nobleman, his family was extremely wealthy, and his career among the Kights was on the rise. Yjasafein spent her days as any other rich, idle noblewoman; gossiping, shopping, lazing about. Many of her peers were content to live thus, but Yjasafein was deeply unhappy. Soon though, her entire universe was to be turned upside down.
The Scourge launched an attack upon her homeland. While Yjasafein and her mother sheltered within Silvermoon, her father and her husband were among the defenders. Quel’ Thelas was razed by the undead, and a swath of destruction blighted the land in the Scourge’s wake. Word soon arrived that her father had been slain in the battle. About a month after the attack, her mother left Silvermoon City and took up residence in the village of Tranquillien.
Yjasafein’s husband was outraged by the audacity of the attack; who would DARE assault Silvermoon?! When the battle was over, he returned home with a new fire in his eyes. Yjasafein didn’t see him much after that. He spent long hours at the Blood Knights’ headquarters, often returning home just to eat, bathe, and get a couple hours’ worth of sleep. As days passed into weeks, his mood became surlier, and Yjasafein became more unhappy. When the couple actually saw each other, they often bickered and fought.
One day her husband came home and stated that he was going to be part of a small delegation venturing to the Argent Dawn’s post in the Eastern Plaguelands. When asked how long he would be gone, he simply shrugged and walked away, leaving Yjasafein sitting alone with her hands on her lap. When the delegation departed Silvermoon a few days later, Yjasafein felt a whole host of emotions- sorrow, loneliness, anger, relief, elation, and shame. Perhaps she would have felt different if she had known that was the last she would ever see her husband.
Weeks went by and Yjasafein had not received any word. Each day she sent a servant to the Blood Knights to enquire about the delegation. Had they arrived at the Argent Dawn? Did they receive new orders to go elsewhere? Were they taken as prisoners? Were they dead? Each day the servants returned, having been brusquely rebuffed. Yjasafein sought out the wives of some of the other Knights who were on the delegation. They too, were equally in the dark about the fate of their husbands. Being a noblewoman, Yjasafein requested an audience with the Regent Lord, certain that he would intervene on her behalf. She was mortified when instead a snotty representative informed her in no uncertain terms that the Regent Lord was preoccupied with “important matters,” and that she should “pick up a hobby” since she, like all other rich housewives, obviously has too much idle time.
Months went by, then a year, and Yjasafein had to face the reality that her finances had dwindled to nothing. With her husband’s disappearance, so too had her means of support. She was forced to let her servants go, as she could no longer pay them, and she had to sell her home and all of her belongings. Even with that done, she knew the money would eventually disappear. She had to learn to become self-sufficient. To do that, she decided she must leave Silvermoon City.
She travelled to Tranquillien, hoping to make amends with her mother, only to discover that her mother had left the village soon after the Forsaken had arrived. Yjasafein remained in the village for a time, and renewed the sword and magic skills she had learned in her youth. She supported herself by doing mercenary work. Eventually she grew restless, and decided to move on. The Forsaken commander based in Tranquillien suggested Yjasafein travel to Sylvannas Windrunner’s kingdom. Yjasafein went pale with dread at the thought of seeing what the former Ranger General had become, but at the urging of the Forsaken Commander, she swallowed her fear and made the journey to the Undercity.
Yjasafein tried to maintain a low profile in the Undercity, but being a living, breathing elf in a city of undead, word got around quickly about her presence. Within a week of her arrival she received a royal summons to present herself to the Banshee Queen. Yjasafein was terrified and even considered fleeing to Kalimdor, but instead she kept her appointment and made her way to the throne room.
The Dark Lady was curious about Yjasafein’s presence in Her city. She also seemed slightly saddened by Yjasafein’s obvious fear of Her. After asking a host of questions, Sylvanas informed Yjasafein that She needed assistance in Tarren Mill, and would like Yjasafein to report to the High Executor stationed there. The next day a servant of the Dark Lady handed Yjasafein a letter addressed to the High Executor, and Yjasafein set out on her journey. Along the way she worried if the Forsaken could be trusted; was she being sent to her doom? Yjasafein simply shrugged, figuring all she had left to lose was her life, and continued on to Tarren Mill.
April 7, 2010