Sarah Tinderspeck
She pulled her hood over her head tightly as she flew over the mountains of Dun Morogh. Sarah was on her way to the Hinterlands to visit Arianna Silverthread, a young warlock who had recently come upon hard times and needed her weekly checkup. Arianna was pregnant and now alone, ever since her husband, Cazuvel Chambers, stopped going home. Sarah sighed and shivered slightly, the snowflakes sticking to her scarlet cloak as Prettpaws twisted and turned through through the wind; he adored flying, it didn't matter if the weather was poor or not.
"Almost there, boy." Sarah patted the large, purple cat on the head affectionately as they then swooped through Arathi.
Prettypaws gingerly landed in front of the small stone hovel and Sarah found herself being immediately greeted by Arianna at the front door.
"Ah, Sarah. Hello. Glad you could make it." Her voice was as clear and sonorous as wind chimes, with just a hint of sadness in them.
Sarah climbed down from the cat and bowed gracefully.
"Ari! Hi! How are you feeling today?" She was momentarily stopped speechless as her eyes darted to Ari's midsection. "You're SHOWING!"
Arianna chuckled and tossed a few raven-black locks behind her shoulder.
"Aye. That I am. Come inside, I'll make you some tea."
Sarah tossed her satchel across her back as they made their way inside the living room, which had the cozy aroma of cardamom and cinnamon lingering in the air. It smelled very much like Arianna in here, which was strange to think about, but comforting all the same.
Arianna made her way to the pot hanging in over the fireplace.
"So, tell me the latest gossip before we get started on the check up?" It was more of a statment than a question, but Ari waited for Sarah to reply all the same.
Sarah flopped down onto the bed like she did every week and sighed.
"Of course. But first, still no word from Caz?" She tilted her head slightly to one side, eyeing Arianna as she continued to make the tea.
"None. I do not expect him...any time soon. Maybe never." The words were polite and pleasant, but a cool edge laced them. Sarah winced. She knew that this was a difficult time for Arianna. Her family had just been completely eliminated, and now her husband was missing. Or dead. Or who knows what.
It was obviously a topic Arianna did not feel like broaching, and Sarah didn't wish to sour the atmosphere so she threw on her most winning smile and shrugged.
"I made Zaerah go invisible today."
Arianna raised an eyebrow.
"With a potion." Sarah grinned.
Arianna's eyebrows raised even higher.
"Oh, don't look at me like that! It was fine! She came back. She didn't die! She didn't even get hurt. I successfully created an invisibility potion!" Sarah giggled the words out, like it was the funniest thing to have happened all day.
Arianna set a mug of tea down in front of Sarah and sat in the chair opposite to the bed and sighed.
"Be careful, please. I do not wish to hear that my doctor was unable to see me any longer because she was arrested." Arianna frowned as she spoke. Sarah wilted a little in her seat.
"It's fine. I know what I'm doing."
"Heard that one."
"But it's true."
"Like the time you turned into a human?"
Sarah bit her lip, but pressed on. "It turned out well."
"But it might not have."
"I like to stay optimistic, Ari."
"And you should try being more cautious sometime, Sarah."
"Heard that one before."
"Funny, plant-girl."
And there it was. The subtle hint of a smile creeping upon the warlock's face. How often did Arianna smile these days, Sarah wondered? Did she like it up here? Was she bored? Was she lonely? These thoughts made Sarah sad to think about, so she shook her head and focused.
"How ARE you enjoying your stay in that lovely body of yours? I'm sure the men must fancy it. Look at those delicious legs of yours." Arianna looked over her body like she was eyeing up a rack of lamb at a Winter's Veil feast. This caused Sarah to shift uncomfortably in her seat and cross her arms across her chest.
"I...I really like it. I can run faster, now. I can reach things on shelves, though not very high ones." The words fell out of her mouth in a rambling river, which caused Arianna to laugh.
"I was just teasing you, sugar! You know that. A little birdy told me that you were enjoying some male company lately. That's good for you, darlin'. I wish you all the best."
Sarah smiled at her brightly and uncrossed her arms, becoming more visibly relaxed again.
"Thanks! But I'm trying to take it slow, myself. I'm new to this. It's scary."
"Good. Take it slow. Very slow. Don't rush into anything, you hear me? Some men...they are after tea. Others are after riches. Some are after your heart, which you must not give away on a whim."
Sarah looked at the warlock and frowned. Was she hinting at something? She had a feeling this was no longer about herself, now.
"Ari..."
"Sarah, you hold onto that gorgeous little heart of yours until you are certain. Absolutely certain. Because once a man has a hold of your heart, even when they say they're going to take perfect care of it, it is very difficult to get back. It's not like a library book you borrow for a little while and then give back without another thought. Sometimes it comes back in pieces. They are fragile."
Tears began to well up in Arianna's eyes, and Sarah sprang to her feet and rushed over to place a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Oh, Ari. Oh, Ari...Ari. Please don't cry. It's okay, I haven't given it all away yet, I'm looking out for myself."
Arianna looked down at her hands, which rested in her lap. A few tears sprinkled onto her knuckles.
"Good. Because I'd hate to see someone destroy such a beautiful little soul. I don't want to see you ruined forever."
Sarah took out the handkerchief that Zaerah had given her several evenings ago and dabbed the tears away from Arianna's pale cheeks.
"Thank you, Sarah. You are a good friend."
"As are you, Ari."
Sarah stood back up and wandered over to her satchel.
"Now then, shall we get started? Your pregnancy seems to be coming along very nicely."
Sarah attempted to remain cheerful all throughout the examination and allowed the conversation to drift from one silly topic to another. But Arianna's words stuck to the back of her mind.
"Once you give away your heart it's very difficult to get back."
