CHAPTER ONE – in which a rather flimsy premise is presented
Weeks of trekking. Weeks and weeks. A ship to Stormwind, the tram to Ironforge and then ages in the saddle. One could never be entirely sure about the safety of the road ahead, but straying from the road was even more dangerous. Saedi would have preferred traveling at night, but the need to embrace the customs of the land to which she traveled outweighed her need for shade, or to rest her eyes. Her sleep at night was fitful, and during the day she felt nauseous from so swift a change. A short stay at Aerie peak did nothing to ease her weariness. Dwarves were always so rowdy – and the Wildhammer clan was the rowdiest, drunkest group of dwarves she had ever come across. Learning to sleep at night with that going on was nearly impossible, so she left as soon as she could. She longed for a rest at an inn, and food that was fresh and tasty, but she was in inhospitable lands, and would be for several months. She tried not to think too hard about that.
Her father and mother had summoned her. Not asked her to drop by, summoned her, officially. She was trembling with anticipation when she opened the door to the room where the ruling council of Darnassus sat. Her mother, the high priestess of Elune sat at one of the two seats of prominence, and her father, Mafurion Stormrage sat in the other. The heads of the noble families, the great teachers of Darnassus, and those elected as elders sat in smaller chairs arranged in a semicircle facing them. Saedi stepped forward. The excitement was making her palms sweat, and she tried to wipe them inconspicuously on her tunic. She was needed, truly needed, after years of training, years of doing mindless tasks in order to earn trust across Azeroth. A post in Shattrah, or Dalaran was waiting. She would be the representative of her people on the front lines of conflict. Negotiations, deliberations, a chance to hone her skills. She stood very straight and still, her shoulders back, her eyes bright. At last, her mother spoke.
"Saedi Stormrage, you have been brought before this council in a time of great need. The time has come for enemies to become friends. It is only out of great necessity that we ask this of you, as there is great danger in this task," She held out a thick parchment envelope, tied with string and sealed with deep blue wax, "This missive is to be taken to Silvermoon City, and delivered into the hands of the current regent, Loth'emar Theron."
Saedi sighed inwardly. How like her mother. Was it really necessary to go to so much trouble to antagonize her, yet again, for her life choices? Summoning the whole council to shame Saedi in front of them was so… over the top. Against her mothers' wishes she had chosen to learn the druidic arts, instead of joining the priestesses of Elune. Her mother wanted her to remain in Darnassus, close to her people and her traditions, but instead Saedi had become the first and only night elf to join the ranks of the Emissaries of Azeroth. Now she was mocking her outright, with an impossible and pointless task. Her shoulders dropped, and her features became distant. "If this is your idea of a joke, it isn't funny," she murmured, and turned to leave. Her and cheeks burned with shame and she could feel her eyes beginning to water. Her father's voice stopped her.
"No, my child, it isn't," She turned back. She'd forgotten he was there. He would never have allowed a trick like this. Suddenly she was alert and attentive.
"It is imperative that this letter reach Lord Theron within two months, if not sooner. It is only the gravest emergency that would call us to send you, as it were, into the belly of the beast. To preserve your safety, however, we have been given permission by Varion Wrynn himself to give you this," He had taken the package from her mother, and extended it along with a carved amber insignia on a leather cord. Saedi's eyes grew wide. The Golden Mark allowed passage of anyone through any territory, into any city, even into the prescence of the leader of any race, no questions asked. This was real, and serious. She stepped forward and took the package and the stone from her father's hands.
"What emergency necessitates our calling upon our enemies?"
Both of her parents looked very grave, and the others in the room shifted uncomfortably. Saedi noticed the set of her mother's jaw had changed, and her face had become pinched.
"You have heard of the strange flu some seem to be infected with?"
Saedi's eyes widened. "You mean…?" She let slip before she broke off, remembering herself. She returned to more formal terms.
"Yes, I have heard, but only vague tales. What am I to tell the regent lord?"
"You will be briefed by Ano, here. He will tell you everything you need to know." Tyrande indicated one of the elves seated at the table, a healer. Saedi knew what was expected of her, but her mind was racing as she the council.
"I accept your charge, and will deliver this as soon as is possible."
"We await your return, with his reply in hand. Goddess watch over you, my child."
The rest of the room rose, and said simultaneously "And may Elune guide your footsteps, Saedi Stormrage of Darnassus."
That was how her journey had begun, with pomp and circumstance. She was nearing its end, and the most dangerous portion lay ahead. Saedi knew she was exhausted, and had decided to rest at the edge of Eversong Woods before she was too deep in blood elf lands. Her back against a tree, she tried to nap while her stormsaber hunted for its dinner. She had to stay alert after this, she had to. It could mean life or death. She wrapped the leather cord around her wrist and in between her fingers, so that the stone rested in the palm of her hand, where she could quickly show it to anyone who approached her. She crossed her arms over her chest and propped her head on the trunk. Her eyelids drooped. The forest was full of songbirds, and the shade was so cool…
She couldn't have been asleep for more than an hour when a booted foot kicked her awake. She looked up, confused, at a female sin'dorei, dressed in a green uniform. The woman had a bow and arrow in her arms, and it was stretched taut, the arrow inches from Saedi's face. Two other blood elves stood behind her, also taking aim.
"Little night elf, what are you doing so far from home?"
The dig at her size hurt, but she didn't have time to acknowledge it. She raised her palm slowly, to show the Golden Mark, and said in Thalassian, "I come with a message for your regent's eyes only. My name is Saedi Stormrage, and I am an Emissary. Please, let me pass through these lands."
The other woman cocked an eyebrow at her, but released the tension on her bow. Then she leaned in to study the amber stone. She didn't seem to like doing it, but she signaled to her companions to lower their weapons as well. She drew away with them, and they had a hurried discussion before returning. She extended a hand, which Saedi grasped, and pulled her to her feet.
"Lieutenant Alyce Swiftmantle, of the Farstriders. If you truly are what you claim, we will escort you to Silvermoon. A mistake of your identity could be… unfortunate."
Saedi ignored the veiled threat, and agreed to the proposal, knowing that it was less for her protection, and more for their own benefit. If she was proven to be a spy, they would know exactly what she had seen on the way to the city, and there would be no way for her to communicate via a scrying glass if they were watching.
The rest of her journey to Silvermoon was uneventful. The rangers were constantly watching her, but she gave them no reason to attack. The blonde woman who had awakened her was obviously in command, and her subordinates scurried to complete any task she gave them. She had an almost snakelike quality, in that the two young men with her were terrified she would spring and attack with a poisonous bite. Over the next three days Saedi took great interest in watching the way she led.
At the walls a messenger was sent ahead to inform those who needed to know of her presence. Then she was escorted to Sunfury Spire by heavily armed gaurds. She hadn't brought a weapon with her, but she was still searched twice before she could enter. She and her (thoroughly searched) belongings were placed in rooms on the top floor. It like a prison cell, only much fancier. The windows were so small that not even a gnome could squeeze through them, and there was a straight drop to paved road outside that. The door had been bolted from the outside. Saedi smiled wryly. It was unsurprising that they wouldn't trust her an inch, despite her credentials.
She was not called to audience with Lord Theron for two days, and when finally she was it came as a complete relief. She felt pent up, and that feeling outweighed the butterflies in her stomach. It was comforting to note that the room in which she was to meet him was small, designed not to impress, but for functionality. There was a long table surrounded with chairs, and a cupboard by one wall that was filled with papers, inks, and other necessities.
She had just sat down to wait when Theron himself swept into the room. She stood respectfully as he entered, but he gestured for her to sit, seating himself directly across from her.
"I would greet you in the manner dictated by custom, but I'm afraid I have very little time. What is your business here? What have you to tell me?" His words were matter-of-fact, but not at all rude. He was abrupt and straightforward. Saedi decided then that she liked him.
"A message, from the High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind." She extended the packet across to him, and he took it. "To make this process as simple as possible, I suggest you read it first, and I will answer any following questions you may have."
He simply nodded before breaking the seal and reading. His expression grew grimmer with each passing page, and his lips became progressively thinner. When he set the letter aside, his manner was grave.
"You're entirely certain that this affects both our races?"
"The first we knew of the illness came from two high elves found near death in Dalaran. When our own people contracted the disease we knew that neither race was safe."
"And it affects no others?"
"As you read in the letter, we have found evidence that the disease has… magical origins. We cannot tell if it was accidental, or sabotage, but elves are the only peoples who can be infected. Other races cannot even be carriers. Our concern arises from Dalaran – it is a haven for both out allegiances, and within the sewers, well, anything can fester. You may have some amongst you ill already; we have no way of knowing."
"It is true that a rather strange flu has been present, but few have died so far… What exactly is it that your leader proposes? How we to collaborate when there is a mutual hatred between our races?"
The Priestess wishes you to send a representative who can continue communications with you. We have much information to share, but it is sensitive and requires a knowledgeable mind. She wishes you to send an alchemist or healer of your own, one who may examine what we have collected and relay what they find to you. If you agree with us that this is a deadly issue we are dealing with, further negotiations must find a neutral venue for collaborative study, that we may eradicate this plague from both our peoples." Finished with her speech, she took a deep breath. Lord Theron still looked grave, but the corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement.
"Did you spend your time awaiting my presence practicing that little speech?" Saedi nodded, blushing a little. "I have not heard your name amongst the ranks of the Emissaries until recently. You are quite new?" again she nodded. "So how am I to know an agent of mine will be able to pass through your city unharmed?" Her answer was hurried, but the thought occurred afterwards that he might have been joking.
"You have my word as an Emissary. I am Kaldorei, but my duty as a negotiator comes first. I can assure you that no harm shall come to anyone you send."
"Provided of course, that they do not provoke any harm."
She raised her eyebrows at him, unsure what he meant. "Sir?"
He rubbed his face with his hands, as though tired. "Nothing, do not worry yourself. I should like you to see all that our city has to offer in the name of knowledge that you can return with a favorable report of our abilities. A decision will be made within the week, and a representative will be chosen to return to Darnassus with you."
"Thank you, sir."
"I believe there is someone waiting outside to take you around the city. You are dismissed."
She stood, bowing to him, and exchanged a few parting pleasantries. When she exited the room, there was indeed someone waiting for her, the young woman who had escorted her to the city. She was no longer wearing green leathers, though. Now she wore a long sage green dress that accented her blonde hair and fair skin. She smiled thinly at Saedi.
"My father would like me to show you our city."
Saedi was a little taken aback. "Your… father?"
"Lord Theron. I took my mother's name when I joined the Farstriders."
"I see." She didn't know what else to say. Alyce was intimidating, to say the least. She was much healthier in appearance than her fellow elves, and her eyes were a darker green and glowed very little. There was a sharp intelligence behind those eyes, and Saedi thought, a hidden cruelty. It made her flesh crawl.
She behaved and dressed in the current fashions – gold trim and embroidery on every square inch of fabric, and her eyes downcast, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She was restrained, but coy, spoke softly and lightly about nothing in particular, and took small neat steps that made her hips sway gently. She was very different from the officer that had escorted her to the city.
Saedi was shown the fountains and sculpture in the Court of the Sun, which she admired appropriately. They had just passed through farstrider square (rather hurriedly she thought, but of course she wasn't going to be allowed to examine their military apparatus closely) on their way to the royal exchange (she would, however, be shown their tremendous wealth. Always vanity with blood elves) when the bright blue sky suddenly clouded over, and fat drops of rain began to fall. They raced back to the spire, but it was absolutely pouring by the time they got indoors.
Alyce wrung out her wide sleeves a bit, and apologized for the abrupt end to the tour still looking demure under her dripping bangs. She assured Saedi they could complete it another time, perhaps the next day. Saedi was again showed to her rooms, and her wet things were taken away to dry.
She set about oiling and polishing her armor, and repairing any damage or wear it had taken on the long journey. It was tedious, but she had little else to occupy herself with, and the pounding drum of rain on the rooftops was very soothing, and so she passed the afternoon quietly.