Laurena rapped her knuckles on the closed door of the small house. The bright sun shining down on them, warming the cobbled roads of Stormwind and glinting off the canals behind her did nothing to brighten her mood. She knocked again.

“Joshua!” she shouted. “Joshua I know you’re in there! Open this door this instant!”

She was about to knock again when Duthorian Rall put a hand on her shoulder. “Please, Milady, allow me.” Duthorian moved aside Laurena’s hands as if they were delicate flowers. He balled up a meaty fist and slammed it thrice on the door.

“Brother Joshua! This is Duthorian Rall! We know you’re in there and we know what you’re doing!” he bellowed. A passing mother gave him a glance and then hurried her two children along. “Joshua, this shall not go unrequited. We have rules and processes for a reason. Your actions demonstrate a severe lack of discipline, my son!”

Duthorian glared at the door, puffing out his chest, and stood there for several moments before turning to Laurena. “He won’t answer.”

High Priestess Laurena threw up her hands and pushed him aside. “I can see that, Duthorian.” She pulled from her sleeve a sleek white wand with a sharply carved diamond at its head. She put the head to the keyhole, and tapped it with her finger. The head flared with incandescent light, and there was a loud crack as the door jarred open.

“Priestess!” Duthorian gasped.

“Oh don’t be such a ponce,” she waved his exasperation aside, picking up her skirt and stepping through the threshold.

The house was like any other in Stormwind. After the city was rebuilt, most houses had the same basic architecture. There was a stained-glass ornament in the kitchen painted yellow, that cast a warm glow throughout the house. There was, however, no one in sight.

“Joshua!” Laurena shrieked. “Brother Joshua, you show yourself! I am the High Priestess of Stormwind, I will not suffer this indignity!”

The house made no reply.

Laurena sighed, turning to Duthorian. “You check the basement, I’ll go upstairs.”

Duthorian nodded feebly and went through the cellar door. Laurena rounded the staircase and climbed it noisily. At the top of the stairs was a closed door. She tried the handle to no avail, and prepared her wand again when she heard a voice speaking softly behind the door.

She put her ear to the door and listened intently. It took her a moment to catch the muffled rhythm of the voice, but once she did, she could make out his words:

“And finally,” the male voice whispered. “Do you swear to uphold the virtue of compassion, in that championing the happiness of others, you will grow more connected to the universe of which you...”

Laurena’s face flushed with rage, and she tapped her wand against the lock vigorously. This time, however, the light seemed to bounce off of it, highlighting a faint field around the lock. She tried again twice, with the same effect.

“Duthorian!” her shrill cries echoed along the staircase. “They’ve warded the lock!” She grabbed the door handle and tried to force it open, simultaneously pounding her fist on the door and screaming: “Duthorian! Duthorian!”

The voice behind the door had gained volume and speed. The speaker tried, with minimal success, to keep his hasty pace as well as the quiet solemnity of the ritual.

“Stand aside, Milady,” boomed Duthorian as he stormed up the steps. It took some frustrating footwork to maneuver past him, but finally, he was at the door.

“Brother Joshua,” Duthorian began sternly, but Laurena quickly interrupted him.

“For Light’s sake, Duthorian! Just break it open!”

Duthorian nodded and leaned back, braced his arm and slammed his meaty shoulder into the door. The door buckled, and a loud crack resounded through the corridor. Duthorian leaned back to do it again.

“And in accepting and respecting the three virtues,” Laurena heard the voice on the other end quickly say, “do you swear to reject the darkness and protect those who follow you in the name of respect, tenacity, and compassion and the sancity of the Holy Light, now and forever?”

A nervous yet giddy female voice replied. “I -”

The rest was lost as Duthorian slammed into the door. The frame cracked and splintered and the door swung in with such force that it banged against the wall. Duthorian stumbled into the room afterward, and Laurena was quick behind him.

There were two men and one woman. At the forefront was a middle-aged man in priestly robes and a flowing yellow cloak. He had a neatly cropped moustache and a receding line in his black hair. About his neck was a faintly glowing sigil of the Church of the Light. Behind him, in a plain white hooded robe was the second man, holding a white cloth in one hand and a brass bowl of water in the other. The woman was on her knees in front of them, her white hair contrasting to her dark skin, wearing blue and white robes. When she turned around to look at the two entering the room, Laurena saw a droplet of water sliding down her nose from her forehead. It caught on the silver nosering through her left nostril.

“What have you done?” Laurena whispered, then decided that the whisper would not suffice. “What have you done?” she demanded with a shriek so shrill the other four in the room winced. Laurena stormed across the room, past the woman without giving her a second glance, and pushed the first man aside.

“Laurena, please!”

“You dare speak to me, Gavin?” she slowed only a little as she spoke. She grabbed from the attendant the cloth and bowl, and threw the water within it against the wall. “After all the Church did for you, this is how you repay our generosity?”

The attendant rolled his dark eyes. Laurena was quick to notice.

“I expected this sort of insubordination from you, Joshua. You’ve been hanging by a thread for months and I’ll only be too happy to snip it clean after this little episode,” she returned her gaze to Gavin, “but you! You had the respect and support of the Church, and you threw it away for... for this?” she gestured wildly to the woman, still kneeling on the floor. She shook her head, simply unable to understand him. “This woman will never be a priest, nor should any of you want her to be one! Her...”

“You’re too late,” Brother Joshua said it like a child showing his sister her favourite toy ruined. “She’s completed her initiation, and we just finished ordaining her. She’s as much a priest of the Light as you are.”

Laurena’s eyes went wild, and a flurry of shades of red crossed her face. “That’s not possible! How did she complete her training?”

Joshua was about to answer but Gavin put a hand on his shoulder. “Joshua was acting only as my attendant. I take full responsibility for...”

“Father, no!” the woman got to her feet. Joshua was about to say something else but Gavin put his hand over his mouth.

“No need, Father,” Laurena crossed her arms archly. “If I have my way the whole lot of you will be excommunicated for this.”

Joshua tore Gavin’s hand from his mouth. “You don’t have that authority!” he shouted.

“I’m amazed you have the capacity to be right about anything,” said Laurena, clucking her tongue, “but you are correct, Brother Joshua. But I know someone who does. And when I’m through, you’ll both be lucky to light candles in Northshire Abbey, and all for this sick, depraved, shameless excuse for a woman.” She was so caught up in her momentum that she began to flounder. “This graceless sinner, this blasphemous... this... this...”

“Agatha Meridian...” Archbishop Benedictus looked up from the parchment on his desk, and removed his spectacles. “The harlot?”

The Archbishop and his desk, festooned with many candles, librams, and holy instruments, was backlit by an elaborate stained-glass window depicting Uther Lightbringer holding a human babe, with his decorated hammer over his shoulder. The Archbishop’s vestry was small and smelled of dust and old paper. Laurena and Gavin were seated on wooden chairs before him.

“The same!” Laurena nodded triumphantly. “Father Gavin operated in direct violation of Church edict in full knowledge of his actions. He ordained her!”

“Ordained?” Benedictus raised an eyebrow. “Priestess, I’m sure I needn’t tell you that an ordination outside the Church is... well it’s not an ordination at all.”

“Actually, Archbishop,” Father Gavin stepped forward. “That’s not entirely true. If a novice has demonstrated knowledge and application of the three virtues and meets all formal requirements, then only a priest and a witness is required to perform an ordination.”

Benedictus sighed. “Yes, yes, I realize the process has been adapted to meet with the trying times we live and breathe, but these were created to facilitate ordinations on the field of battle or in transit, in case of emergency. Not simply to ordain priests on house calls.”

“Yes, Archbishop,” said Gavin with a slight bow, “and while I respect the spirit for which it was changed, our holy writ does not discount such ordinations.”

“But she doesn’t even meet the formal requirements!” Laurena insisted. “We removed her before she finished.”

Benedictus shook his head. “Let’s start from the beginning. What are we talking about? As far as I knew, Agatha Meridian was the prostitute involved in that business with Woo Ping years ago.”

“Which he vehemently denied,” Laurena added.

“Which she did most vehemently not,” Gavin amended.

“What is she doing being ordained?” asked Benedictus, ignoring them.

Laurena sighed. “Shortly after the incident with Master Ping, Agatha approached the church with an interest in the priesthood. We were all quite delighted. She was at the centre of a public display of depravity and showing her rise from such a gutter would have been a testament to the healing power of the Church, and a rallying call for the people, particularly such unsavouries as her kinswomen.”

“And men,” Gavin added.

Laurena rolled her eyes but continued otherwise unabated. “She had an excellent rapport with the priests and the other potentials. She performed superbly at all her interviews and the Office of Vocations eventually sponsored her for candidacy. She began her training within the seminary and was there for about a year, I believe. However it... we soon became aware that she was... purchasing,” she glanced apprehensively at Gavin, “that she was purchasing pessaries.”

Benedictus’ brow furrowed. “Pessaries?”

“Yes, pessaries.”

“I’m... not quite sure I know what...”

“They’re contraceptives,” Gavin supplied.

“Oh...” Benedictus nodded with a smile, and then his face grew grave. “Oh.”

“Exactly,” Laurena threw her hands up in the air.

“Might I ask, High Priestess,” said Gavin curiously, “how you came to that knowledge? Did you find a pessary in Agatha’s possession?”

“No,” Laurena shook her head.

They waited for her to answer. When it became clear she was not going to supply one, Benedictus took the initiative. “Then, how, Priestess?”

“She had been buying them through the Steamwheedle Cartel since her time in Old Town,” Laurena explained, “she had a regular courier who was unaware of what he was delivering until a shipment fell from his wagon and spilled its contents. Having known Agatha for some time he was aware that she had become a seminarian, and when he discovered what he was delivering, he deduced that her depraved activities had not stopped with her entry into the priesthood. He reported this to me. And since Agatha had been sequestered in the seminary, the only conclusion was that she had begun to... see other seminarians.”

This, evidently, was enough to raise both of the Archbishop’s eyebrows. “I see... and you confronted her?”

“I did,” Laurena nodded. “And she admitted it outright, though she named none of her,” she appeared to be searching for a more insulting label, but having arrived at none: “...clients.”

Laurena sighed, and neatened out the folds of her skirt. “Obviously, I had her immediately removed from the seminary, and her sponsorship was dropped.”

“So what’s the problem?” asked Benedictus. “She didn’t finish her work in the seminary, she served no transitional diaconate, she can’t be ordained.”

“That’s not entirely true, Archbishop,” Gavin raised a finger. “After she was removed from the Cathedral seminary, she did work at another.”

“Another seminary?” Laurena raised an eyebrow. “After Lordaeron’s fall, the only seminary left is the one in Northshire Valley, and I am certain she did not study there.”

“Well, High Priestess,” Gavin explained. “Strictly speaking, a seminarian does not need an officially sanctified seminary to study the precepts of the Light, according to Church doctrine. After leaving the seminary Agatha went into seclusion with another priest and studied with her. She met with me and I interviewed her, found that she had completed all the trials the seminary is meant to produce, so I placed her within a transitional diaconate.”

Laurena reared up. “Of all the...”

“Father Gavin,” Benedictus interrupted Laurena, giving her a stern look. “This is most irregular. You are interpreting Church doctrine in a fashion unbefitting a priest of the Light. The writ supporting deviations from tradition and ritual are not in place to allow for flights of fancy, they are there to allow for ordinations in pressing circumstances, where situations require them.”

“With due respect, Archbishop,” Gavin leaned back in his chair, “this was not a flight of fancy, and the situation required it. Agatha Meridian has demonstrated devotion and discipline. She has shown a deep and binding interest in the Light and has channeled its power with grace and strength of will. She has respected the choices of the High Priestess and conceded herself to study outside the seminary, yet has shown tenacity by continuing her studies in such extenuating circumstances. And in her transitional diaconate she has shown compassion in her unyielding empathy for all living things. She has exemplified the three virtues, and she wants to be a priestess. There is no reason to deny her that.

“High Priestess Laurena disagrees, and she is within her rights to do so, but attempts have been made to persuade her to renege on her decree, but they have failed. And I cannot in good conscience turn Agatha Meridian away from the Church. I cannot in good conscience fail to do everything within my power to make her a priest of the Light.”

“Gavin,” Benedictus held up his hand. “Your conviction is admirable, but you cannot deny that she has flouted some of our most sacred customs. Laurena holds that she confessed to sexual promiscuity during her time in the seminary, and we cannot abide that.”

“But why? Many of the most devout servants of this church serve both the Light and become mothers and fathers,” Gavin pointed out.

“Through unions of marriage recognized by the Church,” Laurena countered. “What Agatha Meridian does is not love or compassion, it is a baseless indulgence in carnality. How can you call her disciplined when she gallivants around Stormwind offering her innocence to anyone with a heavy enough coinpurse?”

Father Gavin sighed. “I admit that her history did give me pause, but since she became sponsored she no longer trades sexual acts for pay. It was her means of supporting herself and once she had the Church giving her food and shelter, she no longer needed it.”

“Then what of her time in the seminary?” asked Benedictus. “She admitted to it!”

“She admitted to the act, yes, but she never accepted pay. If she saw someone who needed her or she found someone she shared a connection with, she would engage them. We encourage our practitioners to love their followers emotionally, Agatha has simply chosen to love them physically as well. I know this may be difficult to reconcile, but the Light shines through her sexual acts as her more spiritual ones.”

Laurena shook her exasperated head. “This is blasphemy!”

“It’s certainly getting there,” Benedictus nodded gravely.

Gavin gaped. “Archbishop!”

Benedictus leaned forward on his desk and steepled his fingers. “I’m afraid that Laurena is correct, Father,” he said. “I realize that the holy writ of our church has been adapted to our unruly times but I cannot allow my clergy to abuse those circumstances for their own benefit.”

“But Archbishop, none of the Church’s doctrine has been violated!” Gavin protested.

“Strictly speaking, that’s true,” Benedictus agreed, “however it’s only true when you use the loopholes that are merely a side effect of changes we instituted to allow for more flexible ordinations during times of war. Even after a priest is ordained, a bishop must approve a priest’s placement within a parish, and I will not allow Agatha Meridian to associate with my clergy.”

Laurena folded her arms and nodded in triumph. “And what of Father Gavin and Brother Joshua?”

Benedictus started, and glanced from Gavin to Laurena. “I’m... Well I suppose some disciplinary action will have to be taken. Brother Joshua will be removed from his posting at the Cathedral and sent to work at the seminary at Northshire for some time. We can sort out the details later. I would ask you, Father Gavin, to write a formal letter of apology to...”

“Letters of apology and cleaning the stables of Northshire?” Laurena asked archly. “With all due respect, Archbishop, Father Gavin has flouted the sanctity of our holy orders, and operated outside the Church in full view of his actions. This deserves far more than a mere... slapped wrist.”

“Priestess, please, be reasonable,” said Benedictus, wearily massaging his brow. “Father Gavin has proved himself in the eyes of the Church repeatedly in the past. He shall write you a formal letter of apology for denying your authority and...”

“Begging pardon, Archbishop,” Gavin interrupted, “but I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

Benedictus stared blankly at the priest for a moment. “Pray, why, Father Gavin?”

“Archbishop, were I to write a letter of apology to the High Priestess, it would be insincere. It would be dishonest of me. I do not apologize for my actions, and however the diocese chooses to react to them will not change that. Agatha Meridian deserves to be a priest of the Light. I know that; I have seen that; and I cannot ignore that. I am a servant of the Light before I am a servant to the Church.

“I should add, however,” said Gavin quickly, before either Laurena or Benedictus had chance to cut him off, “that Brother Joshua was acting entirely under my authority. I commanded he be a witness for Agatha’s ordination, and he was bound by his vows to the Church to serve me.”

“Father Gavin,” Benedictus spoke at the first pause Gavin gave him. “This is a matter of some concern. If you will not apologize for your actions; not see the wrong in them, then we cannot forgive this insubordination and expect it to never happen again. We will require more serious steps to protect the sanctity of our Church law.”

Gavin nodded. “Then I shall abide the Church’s decision.”

Benedictus leaned forward. “Gavin, please!” he hissed. “I’m trying to help you! If you make any gesture at all we can drop this whole business.”

“Archbishop!” Laurena scolded.

He ignored her. “You’re a good man - a good priest, and a value to the Church. I don’t want to lose you but my hands are tied. If the High Priestess petitions the diocese for excommunication they will be forced to rule in her favour, no matter what I decide.”

“Jarl! That’s quite enough!” Laurena stood up. “A good man - a value to our Church would not have done what Father Gavin did today. We have rules, we have processes, we have regulations and traditions and rituals that need to be observed and respected. I am fully aware that when we are called to battle the circumstances require more a more lenient approach, and I am more than sympathetic. In fact, it is for that reason that I will not stand to see this institution compromised. When we fight, we fight to preserve our way of life. Blood has been spilled to protect this Church, and to protect the rites and doctrines of its peoples. What would we be making of their sacrifices if we just flouted the Church law to suit our own whimsy?”

This received only a stunned silence. Laurena calmed herself, and put her hands on her hips. “Gentlemen, I will motion for excommunication regardless of what you decide here today. You may do with that what you will.”

With that, the High Priestess gave Benedictus a modest bow, Gavin a scathing glare, and then turned and walked out of the vestry.

Benedictus sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Gavin, I’m going to ask you a question as a friend and colleague. Forget that I am your Archbishop.” He put his hand down on his desk. “Why are you doing this?”

Gavin shook his head.

Benedictus pressed on. “We built this Cathedral side by side. We saved this city from chaos, and we will continue to for years to come. Hell, if you’d only had a better hand at politics, we both know you could well be sitting here instead of me.”

“I’ve told you why.”

“Gavin, Agatha won’t be recognized by the Church. I don’t know where you ever got the notion she would. She was removed from the seminary on perfectly legitimate grounds, and there’s nothing either of us can do about it. And I am sorry for that, but it’s the truth. She could be the kindest, sweetest girl in the world, but until she changes - and renounces - her methods she won’t have a place in this Church. You can’t not have known that. So why won’t you just bite this bullet and let this one go? Why are you willing to throw your career away knowing it won’t help?”

“Archbishop,” Gavin started, then sighed. “Jarl. This girl isn’t just sweet and kind. She is, but so are many. The Light is channeled through her in everything she does, every word she says. She cares about everyone so much,” he hit the arm of his chair with his fist on each word. “She’s not just some prostitute, Jarl. She is a loyal devotee of the Light, and a... a fierce friend. If... if Agatha cannot be a part of this Church. If we cannot stand alongside each other as equals, then... then either I have failed this Church, or this Church has failed me. Either way,” he stood with a grunt, “I have no place in it either.”

“Gavin, please...”

But Father Gavin had already turned away and walked towards the vestry door. Benedictus spoke quickly: “Is she out there?”

Gavin nodded, but didn’t look back.

“Please send her in. I want a word with her.”

Gavin opened the door and gestured inside.

Agatha joined him at the door, smiling excitedly, but Gavin only returned a look of stern pity. The disappointment in her face nearly broke Benedictus’ heart.

Agatha entered and Gavin closed the door from the other side. She stood before the desk and nodded with martial respect. “Archbishop,” she greeted.

“Jarl,” he corrected with a smile. “Please, have a seat.”

Agatha picked up her skirt and sat down, resting her hands in her lap and primly crossing her ankles.

“As I’m sure you’ve gathered, we will not be recognizing you as a member of the priesthood,” Benedictus confessed.

Agatha shrugged with restrained regret. “I have, Archbishop.”

“Agatha I just want to take this opportunity to apologize for all this. But I need to protect the Church. If I allow this to go forward the Council will overturn it, at Laurena’s insistence, and there will be a very public scandal on our hands.”

Agatha smiled at him, and he felt like a child whose mother had just forgiven him for spilling his milk. “I understand.”

“But please, don’t be discouraged. Many priests operate outside the Church and lead successful careers abroad. And they’re out there really helping people and not... discussing theology with some dusty old men locked up in the Cathedral.”

“Of course,” Agatha nodded. “I will continue my work.”

Benedictus nodded with a smile. “Good.”

They shared, for a time, an awkward silence.

“Will that be all Archbishop?” asked Agatha finally.

He sighed. “Well, there is the one matter of... we can’t... I won’t be able to see you anymore, obviously.”

“Obviously,” Agatha agreed. “Regrettable,” she quickly amended.

“Very,” said Benedictus. “I enjoyed our talks. Truly.”

“As did I,” said Agatha warmly. She glanced at the door. “If there’s nothing else...”

Benedictus leaned back in his chair with a creak. “No, Agatha. You may go. Good luck.”

She stood. “Thank you, Archbishop.” She turned towards the door.

“Please,” he said. “Call me Jarl.”

She turned, gave him a polite smile and nod, and replied. “I don’t think I will, Archbishop.”

And with that, she walked out of the vestry and closed the door behind her.

There was an inside joke amongst the Cathedral of Light that a good priest could be measured by how short it took him to pack after he was sent on a mission.

It took Father Gavin half an hour to pack all his things. It took him, Agatha, and Brother Joshua two hours to find a caravan that could give him a ride to Lakeshire.

Joshua sighed. “What a lousy day.”

He was still wearing his white robes, but they had become stained with green. He was lying on the grass just outside the gates to Stormwind City, his hands behind his head, staring at the darkening sky. Agatha lay next to him. She had changed from her ceremonial robes and now wore a simple robe of a dull yellow. Her hands were resting across her stomach.

She shrugged. “I’m sure there have been worse.”

“Not for me,” Joshua insisted. “Let’s count ‘em off, shall we? Your ordination didn’t count. Gavin was kicked out of the Church. Gavin is leaving Stormwind.”

“Well, at least they didn’t do anything to you,” Agatha suggested.

Joshua snorted. “That’s very sweet, Agatha, but taking Father Gavin out of the Cathedral is doing something to me. Light’s sake. Laurena may not be able to get me excommunicated but she’s never gonna let me have a moment’s peace, now.”

“Josh,” said Agatha, “look up at the clouds. What do you see?”

“I won’t be distracted by children’s games, Agatha.”

“Indulge me.”

Joshua sighed. “I dunno... that one looks something like a... sort of like a frog. In mid-jump.” He pointed with one hand, leaving the other as a pillow behind his head. “Do you see the two legs outstretched there behind it? And that blank part’s the eye. Well, the legs are kind of blurring together, now...”

“No, no, I see it,” Agatha nodded.

Joshua placed his hand back under his head. “Why? What do you see?”

“Well, I didn’t mean anything quite so abstract,” said Agatha with a smile. “I just see clouds. Clouds with pink and purple on them from the dusk, against that beautiful blue. And I hear children playing in the city. And I smell apples that are a few days away from being perfect for harvest. And I feel cool soft grass, and I taste damp, refreshing air.”

She turned her head to look at him. Joshua turned to her.

“Today was a beautiful day, Josh. Just look around you. Things might not have gone exactly as we’d hoped, but we’re still in good health and good company. Hell, I’d get excommunicated all over again if it meant seeing all the colours Laurena’s face could make one more time.”

“Holy Light, I know!” Joshua laughed. “I was thinking, ‘well at least if she does just suddenly keel over we’ve four able healers in the room.’”

They laughed together a few moments more, before Agatha continued. “All’s not lost, Josh. Far from it. Father Gavin’s got quite the reputation. Just because the Church of Stormwind let him go doesn’t mean all his options are spent. He’s resourceful, he’ll make it just fine. You’ll see.”

“And what about you?”

“Oh, I’ve got my fair share of options available to me, as well,” said Agatha with a grin, turning back to the sky. “I’ve made a lot of friends, Joshua.”

“Now that I’ll agree with,” Joshua returned her grin.

The frog had since distended into a six-legged, winged horse, and was quickly turning into a wispy sailboat, its sails billowing up with wind.

A shadow fell across them, and they turned their eyes upwards to see Gavin’s inverted face.

“The caravan’s here.”

He helped up Agatha and they both helped Joshua to his feet. Dusting off their robes as they walked, they followed Father Gavin towards the large hooded wagon lashed to two mules. A bull was roped to the back of the wagon as well, and upon his shoulders were strapped a pile of supplies.

“You know, you don’t have to leave Stormwind. They can’t kick you out of the city,” said Agatha.

Gavin chuckled. “That’s the third time you’ve told me that, Agatha. I’m not quite so old yet, my dear. But I can’t stay. Shouldn’t, really. The Church has powerful influence everywhere, but especially in the city. Besides, I don’t need the constant reminder of what I’m giving up.”

“Can we come visit you in Lakeshire?” asked Joshua.

Gavin clapped the young man on the shoulder. “A pleasant thought, Brother, but I doubt I’ll be there longer than a few months. Ultimately I hope to get in touch with one Maxwell Tyrosus. Word is that he’s begun something of an underground religious movement, dedicated to making real change in the world. Through unity and faith and understanding. Unfortunately reports of how to find him are scattered and conflicted. It will take some dedication.” He noted the dour expression Joshua had adopted. “Fear not, Joshua. I’m sure our paths will cross again.” He turned to Agatha. “You are, of course, welcome to join me, should you wish.”

She smiled at him. “Thank you, Father, but I want to get some things in order in Stormwind first, tie up some loose ends, that sort of thing.”

Gavin raised a bemused eyebrow. “What are you up to?”

She slapped him playfully on the chest. “Nothing, silly. I just have to take care of some things, that’s all. Besides, if I travel with you I’ll just be ‘Gavin’s sidekick.’”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Gavin laughed. “Give yourself some time and you might have a reputation to give mine a run for its money.”

Agatha grinned at him but said nothing.

“Father!”

They turned to see a man waving by the caravan.

Gavin sighed. “I’m afraid it’s time.”

Agatha threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks for everything, Father.” She let him go and smiled at him from arm’s length. “I can’t tell you how much it all means to me. I owe you so much.”

“Nonsense,” Gavin scoffed, “you owe me nothing. Agatha it has been a joy and an honour to work with you and guide you.”

Joshua stepped forward, and extended his hand, but Gavin grabbed him about the shoulders and drew him in for a hug. “Oh Joshua, you’ve served me so faithfully all these years. I cannot thank you enough for your loyalty and dedication.”

He released Joshua, who blushed under such praise, and extended his hand again, which Gavin did shake this time. “Oh come now, Father, I’d much rather serve under you than Father... well, anyone.”

Gavin put a hand on Joshua’s shoulder and one on Agatha’s. “I love you both. Goodbye.”

He shouldered his knapsack, turned, and walked towards the caravan.

Agatha and Joshua stood side by side watching him go. He handed his bags to one of the caravaneers, then climbed into the hooded wagon himself. He gave them a wave from the opening.

They waved back.

“Oh, dammit,” Agatha began fanning her eyes with her hand. “I’m gonna cry.”

Joshua chuckled and put an arm around her shoulder. “And then there were two.”

“Gods, I’m gonna feel so terrible leaving you all alone in that Cathedral with that woman,” Agatha shook her head.

“Oh it’s not so bad. I’m sure I’ll find some other outlet. Sculpting, perhaps. That origami the night elves do. Fencing...”

“Stop it, you’re just making me feel worse,” Agatha elbowed him lightly in the side.

The wagon wheels creaked and the reluctant bull resisted the pull of the rope for a moment before resigning himself to the fact that he would have to go with it. Gavin smiled at them from the back of the wagon, and waved again. They returned it.

They watched the wagon go until they could no longer distinguish Gavin’s face. They turned around and began plodding back towards the city gates.

“So... do you want to take a room out at the inn, or...?”

“I’m not really in the mood, to be honest, Josh.”

“Yeah, I understand.”