"Who knows, my dear child. Who knows." the old man patted her head, lifting the corner of his face in a smile, "Many who have seen him tell differing accounts. Some even say he was immortal. But one thing is known... he was a rock, a tower, a tank. Few since then have matched his heart."
"Did he die?" the girl swallowed the word as if suddenly afraid.
"Few know for sure." the sage shrugged, "All I recall is that one day, he was simply not there anymore. But while his enemies claimed to have slain him, it is not likely so, for the Silvermoon Guardians tell a different tale. And he was one of them."
"What do they say?" the sparkling lights of the fire danced on the child's skin.
The elder tilted his head pensively to the side, "They talk of his passing in a different way. You see, dear child, a few days after he supposedly departed, the Guardians have all met in the Stormwind's most sacred cathedral, large in number and glorious in attire. And they held a service for him that was quite unlike the funeral rites of men."
"What did they do?" she looked up.
"They spoke, they grieved, they cried. And when emotion swept the very Light into sorrow, they cheered and celebrated, changing the mood. Unusual perhaps, but true. And only this verse of that night remains..."
The Warrior Ascendant
It was a normal day, much like today, the sun ground to a lingering crawl,
In Elwynn Forest the trees shimmered calmly and little seemed active at all.
But only those bitter with hearts made of stone could not feel a thundering might,
For a warrior has passed, and Silvermoon Guardians have gathered in the Cathedral of Light.
The birds stopped their chirping, the wolves paused to listen and warriors in Azeroth stood still,
The dwarves of Dun Morogh with picks on their shoulders ignored the strong evening chill.
For from the temple in towering Stormwind a glow wafted into the sky,
Gentle at first and then blinding strong, pervasive like a silent war cry.
Some ran confused, some fell to their knees, but those experienced did know,
And they smiled at the light and stood at attention and rose their right hands to their brows.
For they knew very well that this very day the heavens were sending their thanks,
As one of the finest of Azeroth's champions was joining their immortal ranks.
The mighty cathedral, resplendent and timeless, proud like a warrior of Light,
was full of hushed voices and heartfelt emotions and feelings held painfully tight.
But soon it erupted in shouts and explosions for no one in their right mind,
can honor a warrior - a strong, mighty warrior - with hearts reserved and confined.
And praises soon thundered and thanks soon arose and fireworks covered the sky,
as Silvermoon Guardians in their roaring remembrance screamed out their collective goodbye.
And everyone learned that day like today, that warriors don't fade into night,
But thunder and roar as they march proudly forward straight into the source of the Light.
Oh mighty warrior, our shield, our spirit, your job is not yet complete,
So strap on your armour and step into battle and keep us from any defeat.
For we are the Guardians and guardians don't part, but back you with eternal love,
Our work just began - we'll guard down below and you will guard from above.
In Elwynn Forest the trees shimmered calmly and little seemed active at all.
But only those bitter with hearts made of stone could not feel a thundering might,
For a warrior has passed, and Silvermoon Guardians have gathered in the Cathedral of Light.
The birds stopped their chirping, the wolves paused to listen and warriors in Azeroth stood still,
The dwarves of Dun Morogh with picks on their shoulders ignored the strong evening chill.
For from the temple in towering Stormwind a glow wafted into the sky,
Gentle at first and then blinding strong, pervasive like a silent war cry.
Some ran confused, some fell to their knees, but those experienced did know,
And they smiled at the light and stood at attention and rose their right hands to their brows.
For they knew very well that this very day the heavens were sending their thanks,
As one of the finest of Azeroth's champions was joining their immortal ranks.
The mighty cathedral, resplendent and timeless, proud like a warrior of Light,
was full of hushed voices and heartfelt emotions and feelings held painfully tight.
But soon it erupted in shouts and explosions for no one in their right mind,
can honor a warrior - a strong, mighty warrior - with hearts reserved and confined.
And praises soon thundered and thanks soon arose and fireworks covered the sky,
as Silvermoon Guardians in their roaring remembrance screamed out their collective goodbye.
And everyone learned that day like today, that warriors don't fade into night,
But thunder and roar as they march proudly forward straight into the source of the Light.
Oh mighty warrior, our shield, our spirit, your job is not yet complete,
So strap on your armour and step into battle and keep us from any defeat.
For we are the Guardians and guardians don't part, but back you with eternal love,
Our work just began - we'll guard down below and you will guard from above.
