After Kaliye went home, life returned to normal it seemed. Chores to be done, especially the meat gathering. Dad was getting on in years and despite his best efforts, Sabre knew the cold and long treks through the hills were beginning to wear on him.
Nearly a year had passed since Kaliye last came home, and true to her word, she came back for Winter Feast. The evening before the Holy Day they all made the trip to see Thalana and her family and enjoy the evening meal with them. Far too much of the stout dwarven brew was passed around, and tons of laughs were had.. but Sabryel was feeling a little left out. Kaliye was curled up in a corner with Thalana and Zydin talking and giggling, the parents were huddled around the table playing cards. Sabryel slipped out the backdoor, and whistled quietly. Her beloved turtle Squirt meandered out from the stables and came to her feet. Reaching down, she stroked his head lovingly. Sabre walked silently out towards the open field and climbed atop Squirt's back. Leaning back, she gazed out at the stars, wondering when her turn would come to see the world.
The next morning, she came down to break her fast and found her father and sister already at the table.
"Well! Aren't we up early this morning Miss Sabre." Kaliye exclaimed.
All she received in response was a grunt.
"Maybe this will cheer you a little," she said as she tossed a packet of papers at her little sister.
Sabryel took them and thumbed through them. Inside were documents enrolling her in Sharpshooter and Pet Training classes in Ironforge.
She looked up at her sister and her father in surprise. "You're joking right? Oh my.." And she dissolved into a mixture of giggles and tears, and leapt at her sister, hugging her tightly.
Kaliye held her tight, but pulled back and poked her in the nose. "Before that though, we're taking a vacation, just you and me, like I promised. I'll show you all that I can of Azeroth. We leave at the end of the week."
Sabre could hardly control her excitement. Hopping around the room, she squealed with delight. She threw open the back door and ran for the stables, but stopped short and turned to her sister, who'd followed her out. "But Squirt... how do I.. I mean, I can't just leave him."
"Nor will you have to. I did some research and talked to the instructors. There's a way to 'store' your pet while you travel. I figure later today we can practice what they taught me. I knew you wouldn't want to leave him behind." She grinned at the girl who was no longer little, but was still so young. "There's also another surprise awaiting you in Darnassus. Papa told me you reached your 40th level of training. That deserves a special gift."
Sabryel's mouth formed a small 'o' and she shrieked with joy. "You're the best sister I could ever have, ever. Love you Kaliye." Kaliye nodded at her, and returned to the house.
True to her word, early Friday morning Sabryel and Kaliye set out for Darnassus. Walking and talking, Kaliye bonded with her little sister. Sharing tales of far away and home, they found a comraderie that was never really there before. That night, as they reached the city, Kaliye could see the exhaustion in Sabre's gait that belied the excitement in her eyes. Taking a room at the Inn, Kaliye settled Sabre in to sleep and slipped downstairs for a drink. Used to long days and nights without sleep, she found herself restless, worried if she'd made the right decision for her sister.
The following morning, Sabryel bounced out of bed, dressed and ran downstairs to meet her sister who had their bags loaded on a huge Nightsaber. Taking the reins in her hand, she held out a hand, "Come, it's time for your gift." She led her through town to the riding instructor. "Can't very well walk all over this world. Take your pick."
Sabre looked at her with tears glistening in her eyes. "But Kaliye, I know how much they cost. Momma and Papa don't even have one." Kali held up a hand silencing her.
"It's a gift, and I've offered to them, and they refused. If you want to be part of the big bad world, you have to have a trusty mount to ride through it on." She held out a sack of coins to her.
Sabre took them with tears glistening in her eyes and hugged her sister tight. Wiping away her tears, she looked at the large cats lounging on the grass.. and pointed. "I'll take that one, with the spots."
After dropping Sabryel's belongings off at Kaliye's home in Moonglade, they toured the world. The lush hills of Stranglethorn. The blowing dust of Tanaris. The oppressive gloom of the Plaguelands. The bright cold of Winterspring. A month went by before they returned to Moonglade. Kaliye knew she was needed on the warfront, but the joy that shined in her sisters face soothed her guilt for the time she spent away.
The next few days were spent shopping and settling Sabryel into her new home at the Hunter's Academy. Having grown up in a warm climate, the snow of Ironforge was an adjustment for her. The day came for Kaliye to return to her duties and they were both up early that morning. Sabryel stood at the door twisting her hands together, swallowing to choke back her tears. "You know how to reach me," Kaliye said. "All you have to do is hop that tram to Stormwind and send a message to me through the Druid Enclave there. I'm less than a day away, and I'll be here in half that if you ever need me." Sabre nodded.
"You have more than enough money to buy anything you could need, and your Instructors will be ready for you tomorrow morning." It was then that Sabryel noticed the tear that trickled down her sister's face. She threw herself at Kaliye, hugging her fiercely.
"I'm so scared. I'm so excited and thankful and terrified and I don't know that I can do this alone," Sabryel stammerd out. Kaliye wiped both their tears away and stroked Sabre's hair. "You're made of the same stuff as me. This is what you've wanted for as long as I can remember. Seize it."
Sabre nodded bravely and gave her sister one last hug. Kaliye stepped out into the bustling traffic of Ironforge and out into her own life. Sabryel stood watching at the door until she couldn't see Kaliye any longer. Once she disappeared from sight, she ran down the hall way to her room, flung herself on her bed and cried. Tears of homesickness, of being alone, and the uncertainty of her future.