A/N: Hello, friends! I'd like to first state that this story has been a long time coming, and has been stuck in my head for well over two years. I have been playing World of Warcraft for nearly ten years of my natural life, and I have never actually sat down and written a fanfiction about it! It's a surprise, and shame, really. Perhaps I thought the world too big? Perhaps I was intimidated? Well, no matter the reason, here I am, writing this fanfiction. I don't expect people to fall in love with this story. Hell, I don't even expect people to like this story! But, I want to get it out.

A word of caution: while this will follow the storyline that WoW has taken since the end of Mists of Pandaria, it will be subject to some changes. Timelines will be messed with, characters who yet live may die, and characters who died may live, and storylines will be altered, some minor, and others drastic. I don't know by how much yet; all I know is that I wasn't too terribly happy with some of the fates of certain characters, or outcomes of events, so I am writing to change them. If you are an open-minded reader, and like to see the plot of something you love get totally messed up, then read on. If you could handle Warlords of Draenor, then read on. But, do so with a grain of salt, if you must.

So, without further ado, here is something that's been rattling around in my brain for a while. It will start before the events of the novel, War Crimes, and continue on through Warlords of Draenor, finishing, or maybe continuing, with the events of the upcoming expansion, Legion. I'd like to keep this story going as the expansions release, but who knows. I make no promises to finish this, but I will see where it goes.

Okay, I've rambled enough. Read on, maybe? For Azeroth!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Katryn Silverbane. All rights for World of Warcraft belong to Blizzard Entertainment, including places, events, and characters.

Of Blood and Arcana

Chapter One

Katryn

The air smelled of smoke and fear. It was surprising, considering there were no fires burning, and there was the distant sound of music and chatter. Magic sizzled through the wind, and a soft glow filled the streets, as Windle Sparkshine lit the lamps of Dalaran, as he did each evening. The sun was getting low in the sky, and the chill that blew from Icecrown began to fill the room. All was as it should be, and yet…

Katryn Silverbane could not concentrate. She had that nagging feeling building in the back of her mind, as though an imp had escaped the watchful eye of its warlock master again, and was tugging on her long, dark, ponytail. That had already happened once in her life, and by the Light, once was enough.

Still, she could not concentrate. She knew it was getting late, and she should be trying to get some sleep by now, but her mind would not stop racing. Tomorrow morning, she would be meeting with Lady Jaina Proudmoore, and Lady Vereesa Windrunner, within The Violet Citadel, to discuss "something of the upmost importance" and she must use "the highest discretion" when discussing why she was meeting with the two most powerful women in Dalaran. The ideas of what Jaina and Vereesa might want was what was driving Katryn almost quite literally up the wall with anxiety at that moment.

She wracked her brain; what could she have done wrong this time? It had been two years since she had accidentally lit anything on fire when practicing fire spells, and one year since the Water Elemental Incident. Could she have forgotten something important when doing her daily errands for Jaina? The new leader of the Kirin Tor did not ask her for much in the way of help; perhaps it was because she was still hurting over the loss of her former apprentice, Kinndy Sparkshine, Windle's daughter, during the destruction of Theramore all those months prior. Katryn was not an apprentice to Jaina by any means, but she had been asked by Jaina herself to help out when needed. It wasn't just her, either. Her friends, Aerin, Claudia, and Tormant, all mages of the same rank as herself, had been asked to help Jaina with any tasks needed throughout Dalaran.

It wasn't that they were incapable, either. Katryn was by no means a weak mage. In fact, she and her four friends had been the top of their classes together, which was perhaps why Jaina had selected them to aid her. Jaina knew that she had a lot of work ahead of her when it came to managing the mage-city, especially since her purge of all the Sunreavers, the representatives of the Horde within Dalaran. Dalaran and the Kirin Tor as a whole had been launched into chaos upon Jaina's decision to purge the city of the Horde, and Katryn had been there for the whole mess. While she hadn't killed anyone, she had captured several Sunreavers within her ice barrier, and their fates were still unknown to her. She tried not to think about it too much, as it only seemed to upset her.

Katryn had never understood the hatred between the factions on Azeroth, nor did she understand the hatred between the various other, factionless races that lived on the planet, either. Before she had been sent away to Dalaran at the very young age of five years old, her mother had told her something that she had carried with her for the past twenty-two years:

"Above all else, Katryn, be kind. The colour of someone's skin, or the height of their ears, or the shape of their teeth, does not determine their character. If the moment allows it, remember that hatred is made, not born. Almost everyone you will meet in this life, is capable of kindness, and change. Remember that, little one, and carry it with you always."

She had carried it with her always, and would continue to do so. Living in Dalaran, Katryn had met a whole host of different people, from humans, to elves, to orcs, and even a few of the lesser seen Forsaken.

Once, she had been in the Legerdemain Lounge, and had spent the better part of two hours in deep conversation with a blood elf and a troll, over the conspiracy behind the lightheartedness of the Argent Tournament, while the Lich King's forces were quite literally at its doorstep. Katryn had not allowed her mind to be clouded by the old hatred of the Horde, as many of the Alliance Faction Leaders did, and neither did the blood elf, or the troll. They had bid a fond farewell, and Katryn had never seen them again. However, from time to time, she had had other encounters with members of the Horde, who were kind, and members of the Alliance who were not. She would carry the words of her mother, whom she had not seen in the twenty-two years, with her until the end of her days, and she would pass those words along to her children, as she hoped they would pass them along to theirs.

Katryn knew that whatever Jaina wanted from her and her friends, it must be important. Not once since the Mage's arrival in Dalaran as its new leader, had she been so hush-hush about whatever it was she wanted from them. Katryn knew this was important, and she knew she had to get enough sleep to be able to handle whatever it was, but she was also very nervous. What if Jaina asked something of them that Katryn could not do? What if she was asked to perform some spell she did not know? What if –

"Stop it," she said aloud. "You're working yourself up; stop it." She shook her head, her ponytail tickling her neck as she did, and she swiped it over one shoulder, rising from her desk, and moving across the room to lie on her bed. "If you look haggard tomorrow, Jaina might think that you were over-worried, which you are, and conclude that you're not ready for something like this." She lay down and forced her eyes shut. "Go to sleep."

Her evening came to its final close when she had downed two cups of herbal tea, and mediated for another twenty minutes. When she finally felt tired enough to lay down and go to sleep, a single thought crossed her mind:

Whatever Jaina asked of her tomorrow, she would do it. No matter what it was.

The morning dawned cool and bright, and Katryn awoke from a semi-fitful sleep just as Windle Sparkshine was turning off the street lights. She rose, ran her fingers through her disheveled hair, and put it back up in a neater ponytail, before getting dressed. She put on her simple, blue and purple robes of the Kirin Tor, picked up her satchel, grabbed her staff, which glowed a dull blue in the morning light, its glow brightening at her touch, and left her room. She descended the stairs, and entered into the streets of Dalaran, greeted with the smell of fresh bread, flowers, and magic.

She walked up the street, humming softly, her secret means of getting her sleep-addled voice ready for the day, and made her way towards The Violet Citadel. Its spires loomed above the entire city, despite being a good ten minute walk from Katryn's home. She passed the inns, the shops, the blacksmith, and the floating statue of Antonidas on her way. She waved to Windle Sparkshine as he was returning to his home, and flagged down Aerin, her fellow mage and friend, as he too, made his way to The Violet Citadel.

The high elf greeted her warmly with a one-armed hug as she walked up to him. "Good morning, Katryn," his voice was deep and wise, though in elven years, he was barely older than her. "How did you sleep? Were you up worrying all night?"

Katryn's lips twitched in a smile. "You're hilarious, Aerin. You know I wasn't." When he raised an eyebrow, she rolled her eyes. "Alright, I wasn't up all night." That earned her a light chuckle as he fell into step next to her. "But you have to admit, it is odd that Lady Jaina would want to see us so early; all of us for that matter."

"I agree, it is odd." Aerin nodded, looking thoughtful. "I wondered myself if there is not some deeper, dire meaning behind her summoning of us."

"Have you seen the others yet?" Katryn asked as they walked, the steps leading up to The Violet Citadel drawing ever nearer.

Aerin shook his head, his white blonde hair billowing around him as he did, and his blue eyes calm. "I have not; but I am sure they will be along shortly, if they are not already there." Katryn nodded slowly, as they began to ascend the steps to the citadel, her heart beating slightly faster with each step.

The doors to the citadel opened as they approached, and they were greeted with the sight of Claudia, a human mage, and Tormant, a dwarf mage. Katryn and Aerin stopped in their tracks, as both nearly ran into them. Claudia pulled back, her short blond hair bouncing around like twisted ribbon.

"There you both are! Lady Jaina has been waiting for you!" She grabbed them both by the arms, dragging them into the citadel.

"They're no' even late, Claudia," Tormant sighed, shuffling along behind them.

"Even so, with how dire Lady Jaina made this sound, they should have been here early, like we were!" Claudia huffed, as Katryn and Aerin exchanged looks of amusement.

"You dragged me here early…" Tormant muttered, "I wanted ta' keep sleepin'." Katryn threw her dwarven friend a sympathetic look, before she and Aerin were shoved into the portal that teleported them up to the Purple Parlour.

When the magic cleared from her eyes, Katryn found herself standing within the Purple Parlour, and the first thing she saw was Jaina Proudmoore, seated calmly at a small table, with four empty chairs around her. Beside her, standing, was Vereesa Windrunner, who looked as exhausted as ever. Katryn's heart ached for the high elf every time she saw her. Rhonin, former leader of the Kirin Tor, and Vereesa's husband, had been killed in the bombing of Theramore, and she had not taken it well. Upon seeing Katryn and her friends all materialize into existence, Jaina stood to welcome them.

"Ah, good, you're all here," Jaina's tone was warm, but Katryn saw no warmth in her new, ice blue eyes. After the bombing, Jaina had changed not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, as well. She was colder, like her eyes and hair, and filled with much more vengeance than ever before. At one time, Jaina had been an advocate for peace between Horde and Alliance. Now, however, she was the farthest from that. "Please, take a seat here. I will conjure some tea." Katryn, Aerin, Claudia, and Tormant all exchanged looks of nervousness, and also intrigue, as they sat themselves down around the table.

Jaina conjured a few cups of tea, handing one first to Vereesa, before bringing the rest to the table. Once everyone had helped themselves, Jaina addressed the group as a whole. "I am certain you are all wondering why I have asked you to gather here today, in such a discreet manor." They all nodded slowly, and Jaina continued before any questions could be asked. "You have all heard, I am sure, of the news out of Orgrimmar." There was a silence, and Katryn saw a small smile form on Jaina's lips. "The traitorous pig, Garrosh Hellscream, has been brought to his knees." The silence thickened, and Katryn broke it tentatively.

"The… Warchief?"

"Former Warchief, actually." Jaina let out a bitter laugh. "Vol'jin, of the Darkspear Trolls, has been named Warchief now. He leads the Horde."

"A troll?" Claudia said in disbelief, "Such a thing is unheard of amongst the Horde."

Jaina gave her a wry smile, "Indeed. But, it has happened, and King Varian has accepted it." She took a sip of her tea before continuing. "Hellscream has been taken into custody, and will stand trial in Pandaria." She put her cup down, fixing her gaze upon the four of them. "This is why I have asked you all here today."

"Do you wish us to accompany you to the trial, Lady Jaina?" Aerin asked, not even bothering to hide to excitement in his voice. Katryn knew of the high elf's distaste for the Horde, especially orcs, and especially Garrosh. The orc had not gained a very positive reputation amongst his people, nor the other peoples of Azeroth, during his time as Warchief of the Horde, to put it mildly.

Jaina let out a light chuckle. "Yes, and no, Aerin. I have asked you all here today, because I have a certain… Delicate task for you all." She laced her fingers together, and Katryn knew she was gearing up to deliver the news that she would relish in delivering. She could tell by the way Jaina was keeping them on the edge of their seats. "Garrosh Hellscream will stand trial in The Temple of White Tiger, in Pandaria. The Alliance and Horde, amazingly, have come to an agreement, with regards to how Hellscream will be transported there." A silence followed, so she continued calmly. "I, personally, wanted him to be chained by the neck, and dragged there, all the way from the Jade Forest." Katryn had to stifle a sharp intake of breath. Even for Jaina, that sounded cruel to her. "However, that suggestion was deemed too barbaric by the other faction leaders." She let out a bitter chuckle.

"Why not simply teleport him there?" Katryn asked suddenly, and her friends turned to look at her in surprise by her directness.

Jaina fixed Katryn with a look, before continuing. "Hellscream has committed many crimes, Katryn. Many of those affected would have been him executed on the spot during the Siege of Orgrimmar, myself included. However, the Pandarens, and the August Celestials, wished to see him answer for his crimes, and have a trial. So, that is what must be done. Nevertheless, they said nothing of how Hellscream would be transported to the temple, and to be teleported there would be too kind for the likes of him." She turned to gaze to address them all. "The faction leaders, and myself, have come to the decision that fits the barbaric nature of Hellscream himself. He will be transported from the Jade Forest, to the Temple of the White Tiger in Kun-Lai Summit, in an enchanted cage. There will be guards, of course, accompanying him, to ensure there is safety in numbers. And," she looked each of them in the face, before she spoke the reason that they had been summoned in the first place.

"The four of you will enchant this prison, accompany the guards, and bring Garrosh Hellscream to his trial in a box, like the animal he is."

A/N: Attempt one. I hope anyone who reads this like it, and remember, this is not an average WoW story. I am messing with plot. If you do not like plot being messed with, do not pass go, do not collect 100g, and do not continue reading this story. Until the next update!