Son of Kael'thas
Chapter One: The Knights of the Blood Nexus
Prince Belorim Sunstrider peered down from the balcony of the World's End Tavern in Shatthrath City. He watched orphan children play outside. They screamed for joy at the top of their lungs, enjoying an exciting game of tag. They were a few years older than him, Belorim being only three years old. These little boys and girls were long-legged with knees scarred up from playing rough all day with nothing else to do save be hungry, or beg. But the difference between the two sorts of children was painfully obvious. Maybe the refugee children were worse off than a young Prince of Quel'thalas, but they were happy. Belorim longed for them in his perfectly tailored Thalassian clothing. Everything a brilliant red and gold—of course it was red and gold—though the Bloodknights had been instructed by Lady Liadrin not to call Belorim the 'Prince' out loud. It was too dangerous. For the time being he posed as the Bloodknight Matriarch's adopted son.
Lucia the Tempestraven, one of Lady Liadrin's Bloodknight lieutenants stood nearby Belorim on the black iron balcony. Beyond being irrationally armed, since she wore a green scarab-shell shield, had an enchanted red axe at her hip, a purple longsword on the other side, a long hunting knife strapped over her right arm… she smoked a cigarette too. Obviously, the woman was one of those psychotic ex-Ranger turned paladin types from the old Scourge-era Thalassian army. Normal Bloodknights never wore so much, or felt they had to. She largely ignored Belorim while he stared, and then shrank and sat on the floor to lean completely on the bars. One little arm reached desperately out.
Tempest began to answer a question Belorim never asked. "Those kids are the rabble of the earth. They are dirty, they have fleas, they stink. You'll catch something from them. Besides the fact that they've seen such unpleasant things in this Sun-forsaken wasteland that would make your hair stand on end. You do not want to waste your time with them, my Prince. Now your rich and powerful father on the other hand—"
"You're mean." Belorim squinted up at her.
Tempest looked down at the little boy and huffed smoke out of both nostrils. "Well… that's true too, isn't it? Yes, little Prince, there are bad people in the world. I just wonder… no, I hope Pyorin will turn out to be on our side. I wouldn't want to…" she didn't admit to that part. "Well, if he and the others are doing the right thing, then we won't have to choose whenever we get down to Tempest Keep, will we?"
"What's that?"
Tempest waited a long time while she took another drag. But it wasn't that really, it was the question. "Did no one tell you that your daddy lived in a stolen dimensional warship built by the Naaru? And how he lies to so very many people…" Tempest decided to be maternal towards Belorim for the first time during their journey then. She chose to spare him the rest and settled on, "It's very pretty, Tempest Keep. Maybe we'll all like it."
Belorim pouted and continued to press his round little face up against the cold iron bars.
Eight Bloodknights in black plate stood in the rainy street outside, a story below them. They snapped to attention and saluted someone who rushed past their ranks and into the entrance of the inn below. Tempest grimaced, looked like she wanted to put out her cigarette then didn't.
Moments later, Daphne the Weaver knocked first and announced herself, then slipped into the apartment.
"Thanks for the warning, Virgin."
Kindly Daphne with her loose blonde hair she never did anything with and bright smile knelt and beckoned to Belorim. A gold heart locket slid on its chain and hung out of her shirt as she leaned over. Despite the terrifying black plate armor she and the others wore, Daphne never took off that beloved necklace. "Look what I got for you!"
She waggled an overstuffed teddy bear, hid behind it and started talking. "Hi Belowim. My name is Snuggles, and I'm going to be your fwend…"
Belorim gripped the bars tighter and turned back to the dreary world.
"He's not that kind of kid, Daphne."
"What do you know, letting him hang through the bars like that… and look how lonely he is, you won't even play with him. Just because I'm only a healer, and you're a tank you get to be the one in charge of Kael'thas son? I know better than you do Tempest."
Daphne came over and made the little toy bear hug Belorim. She loved it, but he bristled.
"When did you ever see that boy hug anyone during our trip? I'm telling you to stop."
"What does mean old auntie Tempest know, huh? She's got the maternal instincts of a cobra."
Belorim took one last look at the teddy bear, said that he was scared and started crying.
"You see!" Tempest shooed Daphne away. "He's been like this aaaall day. I talk to him, and he mostly cries. I try to move him, he cries, I ignore him… he's happy."
"But it's only a bear, Tempest! You're being ridiculous."
Belorim turned red when Daphne dangled it closer and began to scream even louder.
Tempest flashed anger at Daphne's carelessness and growled, "Now it's my bear!" The protective tank seized the present and ripped its head off.
That's when Belorim started smiling. He reached up and a disturbed Tempest handed him the severed toy bear trunk, stuffing coming out of the neck and all. He kissed it and hugged it to his chest. Both women blinked at him.
Wide-eyed Daphne whispered, "Oh no… I think we broke him."
Tempest laughed and went back to her cigarette. "Nope, I think Belorim came out that way."
He took the decapitated toy bear by the arm and began swinging it around. "My daddy's like this! I like this bear!"
Both Daphne and Tempest winced.
The sound of saluting came through the door, and Tempest sputtered. "Dammit, Daphne! You were supposed to warn me—"
"But I just did! That's why I'm here. You're the one who chose not to put it out…"
Lady Liadrin saw them and shouted, "Who told you that you could smoke around the Prince of Quel'thalas!"
The two women stood at attention and clapped their loud salute to the Bloodknight Matriarch. Liadrin grimaced at Tempest and snatched the cigarette from her mouth.
"We've had lots of little talks about this."
"It was only a little one and for a few minutes… Besides, Daphne was supposed to be the lookout, but no, she had to go to the market and goof off buying things—"
"Now it's myfault! You put me up to this in the first place… Whore!"
"Virgin!" Tempest stuck her tongue out.
"Ladies, please—"
"Look, he's going to have a collar, just like daddy!" Belorim raced over and waved the destroyed bear at Lady Liadrin so she could see.
She was horrified. "Who… how did he know that? Did either of you tell him?"
Daphne and Tempest admitted that they didn't know what their leader was talking about. Lady Liadrin motioned for everyone to whisper, picked Belorim up and walked to a table set with chairs. She sat Belorim down and then the three of them took seats. Belorim started hugging and talking to his headless bear.
Dejected, Lady Liadrin ordered Tempest to start the meeting.
"I, Sister Tempestraven—"
"Mother Tempestraven." Liadrin corrected. "Yes ladies, I'm afraid it's come to that."
"I, Mother Tempestraven, convene this meeting of Knights of the Blood Nexus." But Tempest didn't seem happy about it. Beneath the sweep of her short red haircut that gently framed her face, she set her jaw tight. "Now, what is this thing about the collar, and my declaring war on our brothers?"
Lady Liadrin leaned back in her chair and exhaled. "I talked to the Scryers… Kael'thas… he had his head cut off."
Belorim began to hum loudly to himself.
"What?!" Daphne flared.
"Why would he… but how?"
Lady Liadrin furrowed her brow. "Well, obviously Sister Tempestraven, he didn't do it to himself. It was done to him, more than likely by Illidan." She gestured in a ring around her own neck, but doing so made the woman look like she was going to be sick. "So you see… an attempt was made on the Prince's life three years ago, but it was thwarted. No one knows exactly how it happened or why, only that after Kael'thas left Shatthrath City—"
"Wait, Kael'thas was here? With the Naaru? When?" Daphne fretted.
"Yes, Sister Weaver, as I said this was three years ago. His neck was intact then, they noticed. But when their spies saw Kael'thas again, months later, the neck was scarred by vile magic… stitches. They say he wears a collar because he has become Illidan's slave. Maybe that's even true. It's what Kael'thas more or less said when he buried Saturna all those years ago, went mad talking about a Demon in his mind, whom he called his Master. So, you see, we Nexites know some things and the Scryers know the other half. News travels so slowly between Outland and Azeroth."
Daphne and Tempest began to worry aloud about the implications of this.
Liadrin spoke over them, unsettled. "The question is, how did Belorim know that?"
No one had an answer.
She went on. "I have a feeling… the Sunwell is not capable of deceit, is she? Tell me honestly what you think."
Tempest and Daphne had no idea what Lady Liadrin was talking about. They did not know Anveena, they didn't know anything.
The older woman realized that she'd perhaps risked revealing too much. Liadrin drummed her fingers on the table. Belorim looked up from whispering to his bear, looked at Lady Liadrin like he knew more than even she did. Then the brief adult comprehension faded from his features and he turned gaily back to the toy.
Tempest screwed up her face. "He's odd—"
"The son of Kael'thas is a miracle. Don't dare speak against our young Prince again." Lady Liadrin pointed at Tempest, then slipped her extinguished cigarette inside her gauntlet.
"Oh, come on! I don't want it back, since you already took it anyway."
"Why can't you be addicted to only arcane magic like a normal Blood Elf?" Liadrin demanded.
"You kidding me?" Tempest coughed a little, "It's totally safer than an addiction to arcane magic. And I hope you're not just going to throw that out, I had to get it on the black market from Goblins… cost me an arm and a leg!"
"Yes, you go ahead and try to see when and where I throw it out. I know you too well." Lady Liadrin eyed Tempest up and down. Tempest hid her angry glare under the red sweep of bang. If not for the alluring haircut and throaty voice, Tempest could come off as terrifying as an Orc woman with all her weapons and bad habits.
"Sister Tempestraven, you are the worst case of Blood Elf assimilation into the Horde I'veever seen." With a wave of her hand, Lady Liadrin dismissed the remainder of objections.
"Well, our young Prince's clairvoyance aside—which rivals that of Scryer spymasters somehow—there are several other things you girls need to be appraised of, so that you can prepare the rest of the Bloodknights before we set out for Tempest Keep. First of all, regarding the status of the last three Knights of the Blood Nexus, Saturna's protégé's… it's not clear if they've turned against us or not. And sadly, if they have, we will be forced to deal with them."
"So that essentially means we have three of the most powerful Bloodknights in existence to contend with if the business with Kael'thas goes badly?" Daphne asked.
Lady Liadrin glanced at Belorim momentarily. It wasn't clear if he was listening or not and it felt rude to speak about his father in front of him… but there was no safer place for Belorim to be than with the three of them, the remaining powerful members of the secret order of Bloodknights.
"Daphne dear… you, me and Tempest together makes three more immensely powerful Nexites for them to deal with. If Brother Immortal, Brother Sly, and Brother Tank—"
"He probably sees himself as Father Tank by now, also trying to take Saturna's place… the way you are pushing me to do." Tempest put in.
"I want you to commit yourself to it whether he has or not. I am not going to wait until we are at blade point to decide what the future of the Blood Nexus will be. If Brother Tank and the others have forsaken their mission to rescue Kael'thas, if they have also succumbed to the dark forces rumored to be influencing our Prince… then you will be the one to cull the flock. Consensus or death. I won't remind you again that those are the rules of the Blood Nexus. It is absolutely necessary to go to these extremes. Rogue Bloodknights with a full mastery over the Light itself, who can bend the Light to their will are not allowed to roam through this life unchecked. That is precisely why Saturna and I founded this sect together. We six…" and she rolled her eyes, recalling Magnus the Unmaker, the wayward seventh no one liked to speak about, "are a testament to what real kind of power Thalassian paladins can do with the right kind of training and talent. That is what the Silver Hand does not want the world to know. But that's a deviation… Ladies, the point is, we all must begin to prepare for the worst. Brother Tank and the others may refuse to accept that they were sired by the Nexus and initiated into her elect network of Bloodknights for the good of all, but no matter what, we must be above that. Our unique strength as Nexites is really all that is giving Quel'thalas a sliver of hope now."
Daphne whispered, "And so we create and slay our own monsters, is that it?"
Lady Liadrin looked at the young blonde. "If you have a problem with being a tractable monster for the Nexus of Bloodknights and for the good of all Quel'thalas, then you should have never taken the rites, and stayed home."
"Yes, my Lady."
She arced an annoyed brunette eyebrow. "Yes, what?"
"Yes Matriarch. My life for my Prince."
"That is what I thought. Now, beyond the issue of Kael'thas' enslavement to the Demon Lord of Outland, and our own Nexites that we will have to contend with, is the matter of infiltrating Tempest Keep in the first place." She reached down under the table and produced a long rectangular package. "I told a few white lies to get this away from the Scryers, but it should help."
They watched while she opened it and lifted up a beautiful old Sunfury battle standard. A blazing gold phoenix soared across the red flag. There were also two smaller black banners, from back when all of Quel'thalas mourned the death of King Anasterian. Three years later, and many of the black banners, even the ones at the entrance of the Scryers' Tier, had been removed.
"This is the Sunfury battle standard that Voren'thal the Seer threw down when he defected from Kael'thas' army and pledged loyalty to A'dal. Kael'thas will recognize it… it's sort of like a white flag as far as the Scryers are concerned. Now, we aren't Scryers just because we are Blood Elves. We are of the same people, they are friendly to us… but we'd have to prove our loyalty if we wanted to learn all of their secrets. I told a few white lies about the sort of power I hold in Silvermoon City, and then I told them the truth about how I'd rather have someone else other than Kael'thas' Rommath on the throne, and for the people to know the truth about their Prince. They asked why they never heard of me before, and where were Regent Lord Lor'themar, and Ranger-General Halduron and all that… I just told them they were busy with the reconstruction efforts and we took a portal to Shatthrath City. For the most part, it's all true."
Tempest snickered, "And when they find out that Rommath wants to do us in for threatening all his Magisters with death for a few hours while he was drugged up?"
Lady Liadrin smiled. "Do you really think they care? Besides, it doesn't matter how we got here. Fleeing to Outland bought us all time as far as Rommath is concerned. The most important thing is that the Scryers believe us."
"So, then they also believe Kael'thas is a better leader than Rommath could ever be?" Daphne said sarcastically.
Their leader was firm. Liadrin said, "I knew his father, and I know him. I'm sure of it. But the Scryers took that phrase, telling the people 'the truth' to mean something else. And they also believe that I'm starting a sort of propaganda museum back in Silvermoon City to go with the Whiteblade our Brothers stole back from the Scryers Tier, and ended up in Saturna's gravestone three years ago. Too bad for them, they assume I'm going to spin the story of Prince Kael'thas in Outland their way."
"When you assume… you make an ass out of you and me." Tempest nudged Daphne with an elbow, recalling those times they spent together in the Thalassian army. "That's what Sylvanas Windrunner always told us Rangers. Now we're using it to our advantage against the Scryers."
Daphne smiled, briefly, recalling the good times before the Scourge.
"So ladies… Our current plan is to travel far north to Netherstorm, make camp at the base of Tempest Keep, put this up and wait. All very simple and non-confrontational. I hear that he keeps no guard or anything like that at the edge of the world… seeing as how the edge of the world should be more than enough to discourage an attack on a flying dimensional fortress. Hopefully, Kael'thas will see our great effort to surrender and have enough sense to greet us warmly."
"And, if not?" Daphne worried.
"We get the hell out of there." Tempest acutely perceived, and got up from the table. "That is, f the other Nexites let us."
Daphne averted her eyes. "Tempest, I hope you're not thinking of your ex again. I'm sorry to say it but if Pyorin has turned against us, we won't have a choice. We'll have to fight them. And you're my tank so I hope that you're ready for a possible confrontation with your old friend by the time we get to Netherstorm."
Lady Liadrin settled what fast turned into an argument between the two women. "If they start a fight, you two are responsible for ending it. However, you are to make every effort to settle it peaceably first. I told Belorim that we are going to try and see his father because the boy deserves to know Kael'thas. He deserves a chance. I want Belorim to see you try. If I can avoid fleeing with him, that would be best."
Tempest cleared her throat. "Before we end this meeting though… there's one more thing I have to ask. During your visit with the Scryers, did you learn anything about how… Saturna died?"
Lady Liadrin reached out and smoothed back some of Belorim's short blonde hair. He was busy flipping the headless bear around in circles.
"Voren'thal the Seer saw her die. She tried to save Kael'thas in the end… it's all they know. That, and the next time that anyone saw Kael'thas he had a collar around his neck and he did not look happy."
Daphne was afraid to look at Tempest when she said, "Do you think Brother Tank and the others did it? There really was no reason for them to flee Silvermoon the way they did. And maybe there wasn't consensus where Saturna was concerned, forcing them to—"
Tempest stood and knocked her chair over. She was not able to say anything though. Liadrin and Daphne looked up at her and dared her. Insisting against something so very possible at this point was illogical. And if Tempest broke consensus with them and the Nexus could no longer check her powers, she realized that her very life was forfeit…
Liadrin filled in the tense silence. "We can't be sure of that, Sister Weaver. But take heart in the fact that many of our kin changed their minds about Saturna. They saw how she sacrificed her life to bring Kael'thas to Shatthrath City and save him from Illidan. Maybe he never made it within the gates, but her nobility left an impression on the Scryers. To most them at least, she is a hero, however tragic. Perhaps one day soon… Kael'thas could be the same. We can bring him home, we can change the minds of even his enemies. If not for Saturna's example, we might not even have that chance, but fortunately now we do." She picked up Belorim and carried him to the door. "You should be proud of your mother, Belorim. She was a good woman."
He'd begun to chew on the bear's arm. Lady Liadrin kissed his forehead and bounced him around. "You are a cute little monster, aren't you?" then to her soldiers, "Now go and don't waste any time with more of your antics. We have work to do."
"Yes Matriarch." Daphne and Tempest saluted and went outside to give the other Bloodknights their orders.
Several weeks later in Netherstorm…
As planned, they camped near Tempest Keep at the edge of the northernmost region in Outland called Netherstorm. The white airborne fortress hovered many miles above and was so large it dared to blot out the pale yellow moon. Veins of rose energy sparked at intervals in the deep violet sky. As Lady Liadrin had told them, the dry purple rock landscape was desolate. Not one Sunfury soldier or any of the Prince's men patrolled the area just below the keep. The Goblins at a nearby town called Area 52 reassured all of them that Prince Kael'thas never used such defenses and didn't look like he would ever waste effort on it in the future. Not when miles and miles of charged air formed a natural moat around the dimensional ship.
So they set up their tents, placed the old Sunfury banner close to the campfire so it could be seen, and settled down for the night. Five of the ten Bloodknights milled about, keeping watch. But there was no sign of reaction from Prince Kael'thas or his forces. Many hours passed and at last Lady Liadrin wanted Belorim to get some rest. She, Daphne and Tempest went inside. They were prepared to wait there for days if need be. However, it was a little disappointing, that they should come all this way—certainly drawing attention to their pilgrimage throughout Outland—and have no reception, be it fair or foul, whatsoever…
Until two men strode out of the darkness. A guard went to challenge them, but the one on the left, a shorter man with a wild ponytail made a hand gesture. His cohort stopped walking immediately, began to conjure gold Light magic…
When the alarm could have been raised, Sunthraze the Sly raised his red sword in the firelight. There were too many of them and he was stabbed midswing, but his healer unleashed his spell then and he was fully restored. Only perfect confidence in his healer's abilities could cause someone to keep fighting without uttering a word, without fear of even death. Fennore the Immortal, he was called. The most powerful Bloodknight healer in existence.
With that quickly and quietly done, Sunthraze made another swift hand gesture in the dark. He and Fennore split up to check the rest of the tents.
In their tent, Lady Liadrin sat cross-legged with Belorim asleep in her lap. He held the headless teddy bear in a miniature death grip while he slept. When there was a noise outside and the little Prince stirred, she readjusted his blanket.
The Bloodknight Matriarch frowned. "Let me guess, Tempest wanted a cigarette more than she wanted to see to the problem. It's been too long since I sent her to see what the noise was."
Daphne lifted her shield into place and dragged the Whiteblade nearby. It no longer glowed but the silver metal was such an uncharacteristic hue it could have been made entirely from white gold. They rushed to arm themselves, but before Liadrin could give the Lieutenant any directions the tent flap opened.
They never saw who it was, because the man was made of golden light itself. The magic he'd conjured into his body was bright, nearly blinding. Like looking into the sun.
Fennore the Immortal reached for the Matriarch of his order first. Both hands flashed from gold to white in a powerful sparking hot retributive spell. If he and his brothers were to continue living beside Kael'thas, she would have to die along with the rest of the Nexus…
But then Belorim hopped out from under his blanket and into the ambusher's way.
"Fennoweh! Uncle Fennoweh! Hiiii!" he sang.
"What the—"
The sight of an innocent child in danger who also knew him for some reason, coupled with the headless teddy bear hurtling fast at his face caused the molten Bloodknight to spook. Fennore fell backwards in surprise and crawled out of the tent. Belorim skipped after him, screaming for his 'Uncle Fennoweh' to come back.
Daphne gaped at Lady Liadrin. "I've never seen Brother Immortal before… was that really him? How did Belorim even know—"
The older woman rushed out of the tent. Her eyes adjusted to the dark at last and she recognized the long stringy hair, the bumbling awkwardness that was sometimes the most powerful Bloodknight healer in existence. She smacked her forehead. Of course Fennore had figured out how to turn himself inside out with a Divine Intervention spell… a healer made of pure light, invulnerable.
Well, invulnerable until now. Fennore cowered and covered his face when the little boy made from the magic of the Sunwell itself managed to hug—to actually touch—pure Light, that which was supposed to be untouchable. Fennore the Immortal was just a healer. He couldn't fight them with anything else. That lone invulnerability spell was supposed to be his edge. Belorim giggled and came in fast, tiny hands reaching and poking everywhere…
"Sunthraze!" and when there was no answer, "PYOOOORIIIIIIIIN! Help!"
Speaking of Pyorin, moments earlier…
Tempest smoked her cigarette, stared at nothing in the darkness. Everything was violet-black, so how could she ever have hoped to see the shadow closing in on her? The tall woman turned to the sound of scraping earth, someone running directly at her… but couldn't decide whether to finish her smoke or pitch it aside in time.
The strong man forced a hand over Tempest's mouth and tackled her to the ground. All her clinking weapons went too.
"Don't panic Tempest, it's me Pyorin."
Tempest lay still and impatient for him to realize that she didn't mean any harm either.
When at last she could talk, "Duh. Do you really think I'd stand out here all vulnerable on purpose? Oh, Pyorin! I knew that you'd come find me. Lady Liadrin's gone nuts and she wants us to fight each other." she hugged her ex-boyfriend and kissed his face with relief. As always, Pyorin was reluctant.
"Dammit! Are you still like this?" Tempest complained. "I'm not trying to get back together with you, meathead. I'm your friend. We are stillfriends aren't we? You didn't come out here to say goodbye and kill me softly, have you? Well, HAVE YOU?! Say something…"
Pyorin really hesitated. He lay down next to Tempest behind the scant wall of rock just beyond camp. She could barely see the thick neck, the strong shoulders. It distracted her instantly. "Ooh, you cut your hair. I think I like it."
Pyorin grunted and clamped a hand on Tempest's wrist before she could run her fingers through his hair. And those were still clamped around a steadily going cigarette by the way.
"Look, I didn't come out here for this and we haven't much time, Tempest. Certain things have happened over the years that I can't get the other Nexites out of. It's not exactly our fault but… Lady Liadrin is sure to take it the wrong way, trust me on this. I can't really explain it all but you have to make everyone turn around right now and leave before it's too late! I don't want us to come to blows over this but Sunthraze and Fennore are really angry and waiting out there for my signal. But I lied, Tempest, I had to lie and tell them it was an ambush like we planned. You see, if they find out I disagree with them in any measure…"
Tempest finished for him. "Yes, I know. The rules of the Blood Nexus are consensus or death. I'm in the same sort of fix. The Lady wants Kael'thas saved and she wants to reunite him with his son. Anyone who stands in the way, even Nexites, is going to get—"
"What! Kael'thas is not a father, he can't be. That man's not been out or slept with a woman in three whole years!"
"Wow." Was all Tempest could say. "That's… pretty pathetic."
"He's a really big geek when you get right down to it, plus with Saturna gone and all… Wait, we're getting way off topic here. I told Sunthraze and Fennore to wait before attacking, but I've been gone too long looking for you as it is. Tempest, you said we're still friends right? I'm giving you all one last chance to turn around and take this performance elsewhere. I don't want to fight you. Do you think you can convince the others to just go back to Silvermoon and leave us be…" then he slyly added, "for me?"
"It's Saturna's son, Pyorin."
"Don't joke like that… do you know what we all went through after she died?! Maybe you want Kael'thas back in Silvermoon but making up something like that is going way too far—"
"Making it up? How could you accuse me or any of the others of doing something like that? Why would we lie about something so important? Saturna wasour friend too." Tempest thought quickly. "Why be this difficult, Pyorin, hmm? You could just agree with me and help us take Belorim to his father, but I think you're hiding something." She sat up. "No… Unless… Why would you assume the rest of the Nexus came all this way to do you in, unless you were really guilty of something? Daphne said it earlier, but I didn't want to hear the truth." She got upset. "But that's just my bias over you isn't it? Pyorin, are you the other brothers responsible for Saturna's murder!"
"How in the…" Pyorin sputtered, "You're taking this the wrong way! How dare you accuse me. Well, if that's the way it's gonna' be after everything we've been through together—"
Their heated argument had shielded a lot of the commotion already coming from camp. When someone actually went as far as calling Pyorin's name, the two ex-lovers fought each other in their scramble to get back up and race to help whichever side they now supported…
Tempest caught up with Daphne and Lady Liadrin, weapons drawn. Pyorin had to concentrate for a moment before he realized exactly what was bothering his man Fennore.
"What in the—Is that a headless teddy bear he's beating him with?!"
"Uncle Pyowin! Hiiii! Pick me up!"
"Gah!"
"Stay back, Brother Tank, it knows us… it knows our souls…"
A third man came to the campfire. He held a long red sword slick with blood in one hand. The other was a bare fist, turned blazing white.
Sunthraze the Sly pointed at Lady Liadrin. "This is at an end, Matriarch. Do you really think my Brothers and I would go down so easily? We're not slaves to your manipulations or your games anymore. As Nexites, we've made our choice to stand by Kael'thas, and so help me—"
Tempestraven crossed the line and shoved him. "Get away from the Prince!"
Sunthraze came back up swearing. He found himself face to face with a giggling little boy who kept calling him 'Uncle Sunfaze.' A woman held him protectively in her arms. The young Bloodknight felt compelled to go a step further and crane his neck a bit, because Tempest was so tall, and look the beautiful woman in the eye. A sultry redhead glared at him, cigarette hanging casually out of her mouth. Sunthraze went back to ogling her body, at his eye level. Tempest stared him down.
Fennore, free of the little monster, got to his feet. "Um… would anyone care to explain what is going on—"
"You got a problem with your eyes, short man?" Tempest taunted Sunthraze.
"No. They're looking right where I want them to."
"Sunthraze…" Pyorin cautioned, "Mind the seductress."
"So this is your ex-girlfriend. What the hell is wrong with you, bed-head?"
Lady Liadrin spoke over everyone, "It seems we are at an impasse. Let's discuss how—"
"Look, I have to ask this. How are you doing that? You're Brother Immortal, I'm assuming?" Daphne had wandered over close to Fennore.
The man made of golden Light was charmed by the compliment from pretty woman and forgot himself. He smiled and bowed. "Yes, Fennore the Immortal at your service. You must be a fellow healer, I can tell. I'd be happy to show you, it's very simple really…"
Pyorin yelled, "No one is helping or showing anyone anything! Did you guys forget the strategy already, or are you just going to butter up our spells and hand them over on a silver platter for the rest of the Nexites to copy! Now stop messing around and—" He put a hand on Daphne to get her away from their healer…
That was when, in the fire light, Pyorin got a good look at her too. "Oh, um… I'm sorry ma'am."
Once more across the campfire, "Uncle Sunfaze, where's daddy?"
"So Tempest, I hear you're the one who broke Pyorin. Wanna' try breaking me too?"
"Oh, you're bad…"
Lady Liadrin covered her face. "Ugh… not again with these horrible girls!" After many failed attempts to put a stop to it, the Bloodknight Matriarch put fingers in her mouth and let forth a sharp whistle. Nearly all conversation, naughty and nice ceased. Except for Pyorin. He was busy asking Daphne why she smelled like peppermint. Tempest glared, then swatted through the fire at her ex-boyfriend. She should have burned herself but didn't seem to notice. Everyone winced at that sort of jealous fury.
"Since we're the only ones awake, I can see now that eight of my Bloodknights have been slain! I demand that you three explain yourselves."
Pyorin came forward and glanced nervously at the other men. "I am Father Tank now. I didn't want to meet you all again this way, but it's become necessary. We have decided to support Kael'thas, no matter what. You're the ones who have come to attack us. We know the rules, consensus or death. I'm not going to stand here while you and your cronies—"
"Cronies?" Tempest interrupted, newly irritated with her ex. "I am Mother Tempestraven now, not just a Nexite. And I say that you are the ones out of line. They're hiding something, Lady Liadrin. I can tell! I know Pyorin and when I asked him…"
Lady Liadrin put hands on her hips. "When did you have time to speak privately with the enemy? Why am I not surprised!"
Fennore flashed a disappointed look at Pyorin. "'We have to attack them,' you said, 'before Kael'thas finds out that we were behind everything,' you said…"
Sunthraze boggled, "Wait a second, was I the only one who was willing to go through with this? Why didn't you guys just tell me! What iswrong with this organization!"
Lady Liadrin heated, "So you all aren't acting on Prince Kael'thas' orders? You've come down here to start a fight with us all on your own? What a rare show of loyalty to the Prince of Quel'thalas Pyorin, going against his will like this."
"Look everyone, it wasn't really like that! I wanted to come here in the first place to prevent a fight. You see, I was trying to convince Tempest—"
Daphne tapped Pyorin on the shoulder. "You've got… a little lipstick," she motioned to the corner of his mouth.
Pyorin had nothing to say in defense of himself after that.
There was a very long uncomfortable silence between the six Knights of the Blood Nexus. Belorim sensed it too. He hugged his headless bear and sucked his thumb nervously.
"Well…" Sunthraze smiled kindly at Tempest and tried, "at least that answers one of my questions. You're easy so I shouldn't have a problem."
Tempest tensed. Daphne wordlessly came over and took Belorim from her. "Thanks, Virgin."
"Wait," he laughed, "Who's a virgin? Not you—"
Tempest reeled back then punched Sunthraze hard in the face. He fell over. Again.
Fennore ran in to heal his friend, but Daphne warned him not to get in her friend's way. Pyorin didn't want Fennore fussing with Daphne for some reason and Tempest took that opportunity to strike her ex-boyfriend once more. Sunthraze came back then, red-faced, jumped onto Tempest's back and started pummeling her like some little kid, which was pretty accurate considering their size difference.
While the tall woman turned in annoyed, helpless circles and everyone else around Tempest and Sunthraze shouted and shoved, Lady Liadrin and Belorim watched. She'd wisely retrieved Belorim from the fray just in time.
She mourned to the little Prince, "This was supposed to be such a respectable secret organization of Bloodknights… When your mother and I started to recruit years ago, we had such high hopes. What has the Blood Nexus come to?"
Belorim pouted and handed Lady Liadrin his headless bear.
"Thank you, my Prince."
"My daddy's gonna' put dem all in the corner. They're bad." He observed.
Lady Liadrin glanced up at Tempest Keep hovering in the sky. Well, they had to actually get up there first. And that sort of reaction from Kael'thas would definitely be a best case scenario at this point…
