A spark flashed into Thrall's throat and entered his body, seeming to envelop his entire heart. He felt its burning, searing and painful, but he knew this was not real fire. He pressed one hand against his chest over his heart, leaned forward, and pressed his other hand there as well.
Thrall felt that Ithranatus had blessed him. At the very least, he had earned Ithranatus's recognition.
Agna was beside him. She reached out and rested a hand on his shoulder, making him feel cool and comforted. "Go'el, did he hurt you?"
Thrall shook his head. The pain was gradually fading. "No." Thrall touched his chest. "No... not really."
She looked at him questioningly, then turned her gaze toward Ithranatus. The enormous Elemental Fury had already turned and left, paying Thrall no further attention. She took a bottle of clean water from her bag, water purified by a water elemental, but Thrall caught her arm and shook his head.
"No," he said in a rasping voice. "Ithranatus... gave me the passion of fire to do what I must."
Agna nodded slowly. "You knew last night that fire was already burning in your heart, but this is truly an extraordinary gift. Very few receive the baptism of Ithranatus's fire. Such a blessing is proof of a powerful shaman."
She did not say it outright, but Thrall could tell that she herself had not received that honor, so he felt it necessary to add, "I don't think this gift was meant for me alone. It was for Azeroth's elementals, so I could help them better."
"I prayed for that too, to help the fire elementals here," Agna said softly. "But he didn't think I was worthy."
Thrall clasped her hand. "You're very capable, Agna. It must be because the fire in your