Water Over Stones

On the Ghostlands coast of Midnight-era Quel'Thalas, where the land has healed but the sea still sends up things from the deep, Lord-General Esren Sunmourn agrees to marry the youngest Larethian girl because the Regent Lord asks it, and makes her a promise: a fine house in Silvermoon, every comfort, and she will never need to see him. Ilsa, who laughs at everything and trained in secret with a pandaren at the bottom of Murder Row, packs her staff and rides for his fortress. She puts a bandit down in a river ford on the way, laughing as she does it.

Esren has held Saltwatch for six years by never once looking north, toward the village whose bells he heard ringing all night and didn't answer. The last thing he wants is a wife who sounds like joy. But Ilsa has never let anyone stay still when they're hurting. On a coast where the dark water is rising again, she means to teach the grimmest man in Quel'Thalas how to breathe out.

Follows On Her Word, the tale about Talenna Larethian, retribution paladin, and Reading the Unbidden, the tale about Faeryn Larethian, beast mastery hunter. This is book three of three, focused on the Larethian sisters. Part of The Hearth-Rooms collection of stories.

This story is non-commercial fan fiction. World of Warcraft and Azeroth belong to Blizzard Entertainment.

Contents

Chapter 1: The Match

Chapter 2: The Road

Chapter 3: Saltwatch

Chapter 4: The Yard

Chapter 5: The Isle

Chapter 6: Naga

Chapter 7: The Arsenal

Chapter 8: Court Comes Calling

Chapter 9: The Dark Water

Chapter 10: Saltwatch Laughing

Epilogue: The Morning Room, The Scarred Table