Arrens was a creature of habit. He awoke well before daybreak every morning, conducted a vigorous workout outdoors that alternated between running several miles, hefting an axe to chop wood for the fireplace or any number of sweat-inducing labor that would provide health benefits as well as wake him from the previous night’s slumber. This particular morning, however, he had another stop to make before heading to the University. As a result, his standard five mile run was cut down to two, giving him plenty of time to wash up and get dressed before heading to Ironforge to catch the tram to the hustle and bustle of Stormwind.

Departing the Deeprun Tram, Arrens summoned his dreadsteed Inigo and raced towards Old Town. He knew Madam Aely lived within the district somewhere, but he wasn’t certain which apartment was hers. And at this hour of the morning, he could ill afford to waken someone from a drunken slumber and be forced to defend himself while staring down the barrel of a gun. He recalled Aely saying something about the Silver Shield. He only hoped the proprietors were preparing for their daily work within the store proper.

Dismissing Inigo, Arrens walked up to the door of the store. Unsurprisngly, it was locked. He knocked gently. The door opened a smidge, “We’re not open yet, sir. And I don’t believe we have anything here you might be inclined to use,” said the sleepy woman’s voice.

“No, ma’am. I’m here about Madam Aelflaed Larsdottir’s pet, Midge? My name’s Arrens Caltrains, Madam Aely’s friend.”

The door opened further, allowing Arrens to step inside. The woman thrust her hand out, which Arrens shook. Her grip was firm and she eyed the warlock up and down. “So your Fiffy’s friend, eh? Hm. Well here you go. Don’t you go overfeedin’ her now. And I’m sure Fiffy told you to keep her away from shiny baubles?”

“That she did, ma’am. I assure you, I will treat the dragonhawk as if it were my own.”

The tired woman grunted one more time before walking him outside. “You take good care of her now, you hear? Or you’ll be answerin’ to me.”

“I will, ma’am. I assure you,” Arrens said before summoning Inigo and departing for the University.