Chapter 6

           JainaProudmoorehummedalittleasshestrodethroughthegardensofDalaran.She’dbeenhereforeightyearsnow,andthecityneverlostitssenseofwonder.Everythinghereemanatedmagic,andtoheritwasalmostlikeascent,afragranceofeverythinginbloom,andsheinhaleditwithasmile.

           Ofcourse,someofthat"fragrance"wasthatofactualflowersinbloom;thegardensofthisplacewereassaturatedwithmagicaseverythingelse.Shehadneverseenhealthier,morecolorfulflowers,oreatenmoredeliciousfruitsandvegetablesthanhere.Andtheknowledge!Jainafeltshehadlearnedmoreinthelasteightyearsthaninherentirelife—andmostofthatinthelasttwo,sinceArchmageAntonidashadformallytakenherashisapprentice.Fewthingscontentedhermorethansittingcurledupinthesunwithacoldglassofsweetnectarandapileofbooks.Ofcourse,someoftherarerparchmentsneededtobeprotectedfromsunlightandspillednectar,sothenextbestthingwassittinginsideoneofthemanyrooms,wearingglovessoherhandswouldnotdamagethefragilepaper,carefullyperusingsomethingthatwasolderalmostthanshecouldcomprehend.

           Butfornow,shejustwantedtowanderinthegardens,feelingthelivingearthbeneathherfeet,smellingtheincrediblescents,and,whenhungergnawedatherstomach,reachingupandpluckingaripegoldenbarkapplewarmfromthesunlightandcrunchingithappily.