A/N: I AM CURRENTLY REWRITING THIS STORY with an extensive plot-plan (had none before and fell into plot traps) without having to introduce a billion OCs in Kul Tiras and with more show-don't-tell. My apologies to all reviewers but I think it will be for the best. Jaina deserves the best story possible!
I've made some slight modifications to the timeline in order to make Jaina slightly younger during the Third War. This is done by having the Third War start in year 17 instead of 20 with Wrath of the Lich King happening in year 23 instead of 27 with Jaina born at the arrival of orcs in Azeroth in year 0.
Mostly for flavour, I have used King's Calendar dates (+592 years) with month names from Dragon Age. I will use D&D terminology for weapons and a few spells.
I hope that you all enjoy the premise behind the story and that my writing style is not too hard to follow. If anyone wishes to beta the story and enjoys the plot thus far, I would be extremely grateful for your help or feedback.
Chapter 1: Arrival
15 Haring 615, King's Calendar
Lady Jaina Proudmoore stood in front of the harbour waiting anxiously for the arrival of the tirassian delegation. A formation of seven military vessels appeared in their distance, their dark green sails dominating the horizon.
From her side, Colonel Lorena growled angrily. Lorena had become a traitor in the eyes of her father and nine brothers when she had chosen to side with Jaina instead of Grand Admiral Daelin Proudmoore. Although it saddened her in many ways, Jaina could not blame that her adjutant had grown a deep hatred for Kul Tiras and, more specifically, the man that was the personification of the systematic hatred that was cultivated between Theramore and Kul Tiras.
The hatred in Lorena's eyes was mirrored throughout the crowd that had gathered, all of them with similar tragic stories.
None of which was more tragic that Jaina's story. At the age of five, she had lost her childhood hero, her beloved brother. The only lovers she had taken in her life - though it sickened her to even think of Kael'thas with that term - had become the most reviled men to their people. The event that had truly left her broken was being forced to side against her father, one of the greatest heroes in the Alliance, after he was consumed by his hatred for the Horde. Now, her brother and his family had been brutally murdered by his most trusted lieutenant, the Lord Captain of Kul Tiras.
She shook her head, trying to push the useless but painful memories aside. Jaina looked towards the crowed, they were getting more and more restless as a small rowing boat approached the harbour. Lorena had suggested to ban the public from gathering under the fear that one of them would do what everyone was thinking, shoot the damn dastard. Jaina had considered it but it would not have been right and, after all, her people had proven that hatred never consumed them when they forgave the orcs for their part in the Second War.
Dressed in the navy blue uniform of the Lordamere navy, Catherine Rogers stepped off the boat. Under her coat, she wore the black sash of the Order of Neptulon - an exclusive chivalric order for naval officers of the Alliance of Lordaeron. The requirements for joining the Order were so impossibly high that only six people had managed to join it without dying: Daelin Proudmoore, Tandred Proudmoore, Catherine Rogers, Halford Wyrnbane, Admiral Zelanis Seastar—the Admiral of Quel'Thalas. And that dastard, Jaina added as Rogers roughly grabbed a man and forced him off the boat.
Jaina narrowed her icy blue eyes on Lord Captain Daeldric von Selaniir, the man that murdered her brother, her best friend, and their beautiful daughter. Yet somehow, even though he was chained and dressed in rugged clothes, this vile man had the nerve to saunter down the pier with a wide grin that was at the edge of bursting into laughter.
Captain Rogers nodded curtly. "Lady Proudmoore," she said, "I'd like to extend the Lord Admiral's apologies for being unable to attend the New Year's celebration."
It was an obvious lie. Jaina's uncle had not come to Theramore because he did not wish to be seen with the "traitors". Alverold Proudmoore may have been quite willing to join the Alliance with her help but it did not take a genius to know that Kul Tiras would always see Theramore as a mere colony that was rightfully theirs.
Jaina smiled. "Captain Ro—"
"Lady Captain," Daeldric corrected in his calm, husky voice. "Treason is a quality that is encouraged and rewarded these days."
The crowd shifted uncomfortably at Daeldric's rude interruption. Lorena took a step forward and punched the prisoner with her plated gauntlet. "Be silent, cur."
Daeldric did not even flinch. His nose started bleeding.
In one swift, practiced motion, Catherine Rogers drew her pistol and aimed it at Lorena. "And you stay in line, whitewasher."
The degrading term played on the fact that Theramore replaced the green tirassian uniforms with white ones and, according to Kul Tiras, whitewashed the crimes of the Horde.
Lorena opened her mouth but Jaina interrupted her. "I'd like to apologize for Colonel Lorena's zeal in delivering justice."
The Colonel took the message and walked away from the prisoner while Rogers holstered her pistol.
As Daeldric had stated, the leviathan-shaped brooch of the office of the Lord Captain was pinned on Rogers' embroidered navy blue coat. Normally, The Lord Captain's and the Lord Admiral's uniform had a shoulder cape integrated on the left shoulder with their insignia. This was not the case for Rogers.
"Lady Captain Rogers," Jaina continued, her smile restored again to her face. "I trust that your duties will allow you to celebrate the New Year with us."
Rogers hesitated. Then, she said: "Only if the dangers plaguing Tel Abim are solved swiftly."
Tel Abim was a large island one-day off the coast of Kalimdor that her father had conquered from the trolls before his invasion in Kalimdor. Although in a quite remote location from Kul Tiras, Tandred had used it as a naval base to increase his influence in the South Seas. The island was extremely popular for their bananas and chocolate. The proximity of Tel Abim to Theramore concerned Jaina greatly.
"Allow me to provide you with assistance; my people know the region very well."
Rogers shook her head. "My fleet is more than capable of handling the issue. I could, however, use your assistance in treating my wounded soldiers after our return," she said.
"Of course," Jaina replied.
"Now," Rogers continued. "Let's get down to business." She drew a sealed parchment.
Jaina took the parchment and broke the seal.
My beloved niece,
I hope that our people were pleased to hear that they are now free to travel or, should they want, return to Kul Tiras. Although your brother's death pained me greatly, it truly brought a smile to my face when Kul Tiras officiated its position in the Alliance. I am afraid that I will have to decline your invitation for the New Year's celebration due to trouble brewing in the prison of Tol Barad.
Now, onto the subject of the traitor, I'd like to apologise for springing this onto you at such an early notice but you will need to hold him under close guard until the day of his execution. After your insistence, I sent Daeldric to be questioned by Stormwind about his relationship with the Defias Brotherhood but the fools tortured him. The Admiralty and the Senate were outraged that a foreigner was torturing one of our own and, to make things worse, Edwin VanCleef was the one to inform them of exactly what was being done to Daeldric in the Stockades. I also cannot keep him in Kul Tiras, Daeldric has far too many influential allies with whom he can freely conspire should I keep him under house arrest. I need you to keep him away from Kul Tiras.
I look forward to seeing you during the celebration of Hordefall in four weeks. King Varian and the rest of the Alliance will be attending.
With love,
Alverold Proudmoore - Lord Admiral of Kul Tiras
Jaina's eyes widened both in shock and anger as she read the humiliating letter. How dare he?
There were three veiled insults on the letter. Alverold had used the word 'our' to describe the citizens of Theramore in an attempt to remind her that Theramore was a rebellious colony rather than an independent city state. The second insult was the invitation to Hordefall, the anniversary of the end of the Second War, which included the burning of orc dolls during the festivities. The most humiliating aspect would be the traditional greeting. Like in Stormwind's Remembrance Day, the traditional greeting used was "Remember well"; for those loyal to Kul Tiras, the appropriate response was "Kul Tiras never forgets".
As far as she was concerned, the letter might as well have said: "Kul Tiras will never forget what you did, orc lover."
Because he knew that attending such a hateful event would unnerve her, Alverold had made it clear that the entirety of the Alliance would be attending. Refusing to attend after using significant political capital to bring Kul Tiras back to the Alliance was not an option.
Jaina met Rogers' gaze without flinching. Let the coward have this small victory. "Tell my uncle that I will gladly attend Hordefall," she said.
Daeldric's body stiffened in shock. For a mere heartbeat, Jaina was certain that she saw a hint of solicitude on his face.
"Daeldric may stay here," Jaina said.
Rogers' handed to Lorena the keys to Daeldric's shackles. "A pleasure, Lady Proudmoore," she said with a curt bow and started walking away.
"Catherine?" Daeldric asked. "Do you remember our bet?"
Rogers stopped and glanced towards him. "Which one? The one that Theramore would fall within seven years after Daelin's death?"
Daeldric grinned. "Well... if I am not alive by then and Theramore has fallen in two years and fifty-seven days, do buy my boys drinks in the Lusting Wench."
Jaina tried to hide her annoyance and smiled coolly. "I'm afraid you will be very disappointed, Daeldric von Selaniir."
Daeldric's grin widened. "Most likely, yes."
"Two Admirals have died under your watch after all."
The crowd chuckled at her rebuke. Daeldric himself tossed his head back and laughed.
Rogers glared at him. "This is hardly a laughing matter," she said.
"Certainly not," he replied. "Thought you must appreciate the irony of having those words coming from Lady Proudmoore while a populace of deserters is glaring at me."
That comment had well exceeded the limits of the crowd. They started shouting vulgarities towards the prisoner. Some fools even tried to circumvent the guards in order to physically attack the grinning man.
Swiftly, Jaina ordered Lorena and her men to grab Daeldric and drag him to the Foothold Citadel. She would deal with his insolence later.