To my new Comrades, the Grim:
My name is Professor Svetlaena Nel Quel'Ivan, formerly Ascent. I joined up with the Grim less than two months ago and am currently completing my tasks to prove my worth and strength of character to my Inquisitor, the honorable shaman Ashenfury, as well as the rest of my new comrades. This letter, which I have posted a stack of many copies of in the guild hall in the hopes that you will take the time to read it, is one of those tasks. Each copy was in fact written by hand so that I am sure I will never forget the things I have written and promised here. One of these copies is now on my person at all times.
For those that do not know me, I am a Sin'dorei priestess with a specialty for healing on the battlefield, a scribe, a Professor, wife to warlock Duroxas Quel'Ivan, and mother to Aravinda Quel'Ivan, born a year and a half ago. Though there is something that must be addressed; something that others among the ranks of the Grim know me as.
A traitor.
I will not refute those who claim this. They speak the truth, but to say that I am a traitor now would be false. I have seen the ruin that my selfish, foolish deeds brought and will not repeat them. But for those who do not remember why there are some that call me traitor, all will soon be made clear.
Let me take you back to nearly four years past, when the war in Northrend was just beginning. I was curious to the point of foolishness, and this led me into a romantic relationship with a Kal'dorei that many may remember named Illisade Shadesong. A relationship that was an affront to both our ancestors and offensive to those who hold loyalty in high regard, and rightfully so. But we were stupid, we did not care.
We played the card of willful ignorance together while forgetting who we were. There are Grim that recall that I would not participate in battle against him or his comrades, even when they boldly made moves into Horde territory. I forsook the responsibilities of one that is born with the Titans' gift of creation; the ability to heal, protect and fortify one's allies; all for the sake of what I believed was love.
The wise among us know better than to trust Kal'dorei for good reason. They are sneaky, terrible creatures who think only of preserving themselves while hiding behind a veil of false righteousness. This lesson was imparted to me the hard way as my traitorous antics caught up with me and Illisade abandoned me to die by execution.
Perhaps even worse than that, he let his only daughter, from a previous relationship of course, die at the hands of the Horde as well. Let that be a reminder next time one thinks they've met an honorable Kal'dorei. They will even sacrifice their kids to save their own hide.
I am alive and here today thanks to the efforts of Duroxas Quel'Ivan, who not long after became my husband, and Selash Gustblade, who appealed to have me released under the pretense of reformation, and lastly thanks to the mercy of the Horde. With the help and support of these two men, I worked to regain my lost honor, fighting the Horde's enemies no matter if they were mad cultists, Alliance, dragons, or servants of Old Ones.
And for these last two and a half years I have fought and worked and struggled and bled for the Horde, and I have done so pridefully. In the midst of battle I learned the truth of loyalty, honor, and a strength of willpower that I did not even know I had. A year ago I was given my official pardon but that has not in the least faded my zeal to keep up the fight.
My place is now here, among the Grim. I have laid my past out for you all to see, and you may each make of it what you will. If anyone cares to inquire with me about it I will be more than happy to discuss, for you are now all my comrades, and I have nothing to hide regarding this sordid past because in joining Grim I have been reborn and it is nothing more than an unpleasant memory of a past life.
And now you are all witnesses to the vow of loyalty I make to you all; on my honor I will never again turn my back on Horde that cry out for healing, that ask for my aid in battle, that require my strength of will to defend them against our enemies.
Peace through Annihilation, brothers and sisters.
Signed,
Professor Svetlaena Nel Quel'Ivan
A Letter to my New Comrades: Bearing Witness
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