Chapter Two: The Hospitality of the Naga

The office of Tyrande Whisperwind was not built so much as grown. It has been made within a huge ancient, and its bookshelves and desk was actually grown from the floor and walls. Tyrande herself sat there, writing letters with a goose feather quill. Her movements were short and vicious. Shandris was surprised the paper wasn't begging for mercy.

She waited there a few minutes with nothing being said. Shandris ventured to speak. 'Lady Tyrande, you called for me?'

Tyrande halted, then finished writing before sealing the letter and rolling it up. She then sat up and motioned to the hundreds of letters piled up around her with a smile on her face. Somehow the smile only made her seem more enraged. 'What is on my desk, Shandris?'

'…Letters priestess.' said Shandris.

'What kind of letters?' asked Tyrande.

'I don't know.' said Shandris. What was this about?

'They are letters of complaint.' said Tyrande. 'Do you know what they all have in common?'

'I don't know, priestess.' said Shandris. What point was she trying to make?

'Well let me give you a hint.' said Tyrande. 'The people these letters concern have begun working very hard. I have complaints about these people taking other people from their beds. Mostly on trumped-up charges. I have complaints about the misuse of authority — complaints about being harried for trying to go about ordinary business. And several accusations of murder.

And I find myself powerless to do anything about this. Because these people were granted their authority by Cenarius himself. and are therefore out of my jurisdiction. Who am I talking about?'

Ah, so that was what this was about. 'The Watchers.' said Shandris.

'Yes.' said Tyrande, smile becoming sharklike. 'The Watchers. Of course, I have had Malfurion request an audience with Ysera to get the area clarified. Unfortunately, Ysera has taken some time to respond. In the meantime, we must deal with matters as we can.'

'Priestess, you seem troubled.' said Shandris.

Tyrande looked at her seriously. 'I can't afford to not be troubled.' She snatched up a letter. 'I just received word from my contacts in Nendis. Within days of Lady Proudmoore's expedition departing, Maiev commandeered several ships. She took off in pursuit, using the threat of death to motivate the crews.

'Do you know what might happen when she catches up?'

This was a question Shandris did know the answer to. '…She might start a war.'

'Exactly.' said Tyrande eyes hardening.

'What would you have me do?' asked Shandris.

'I want you to walk out that office door, gather the sentinels, prep a fleet and drag Maiev back by the hair if necessary!' said Tyrande, pointing to the door.

'Right, as you wish.' said Shandris, saluting. 'I'll see to it at-'

'Go.' said Tyrande in a voice which brooked no argument.

Shandris fled.

It was a starry night as the small Alliance Fleet cut through the water toward their destination. If one looked over the side, one spot the shine of a naga's tale as they swam through the water. Jaina observed them, while Arthas paced with his hands behind his back.

'Arthas come over here and have a look at this.' said Jaina.

'What is it?' asked Arthas.

'The naga are sending advance scouts out well ahead of our fleet. They move far more quickly than even the fastest of our ships. It's amazing.'

'I'm glad you think so.' muttered Arthas, returning to pacing.

For a moment there was silence, his footfalls sounding on the wooden deck. The sailors eyed him nervously. Even now, he was still a subject of fear from the men of Theramore. Jaina supposed she could not blame them, but that did not mean she didn't wish it were otherwise.

'Will you cease doing that?' asked Illidan suddenly, from where he had been meditating on deck. 'It distracts me. We have no cause to be uneasy.'

'As you wish.' said Arthas, before making his way up to the top deck and looking back. ' Are you sure that our passing went unmarked Illidan?'

'Of course, it went unmarked.' snapped Illidan in the tone of one who took professional offense. 'Our preparations have been flawless. Even the crews do not know the true nature of our mission. None in Kalimdor have any conception of what we are doing. And none in the Eastern Kingdoms could arrive in time to interfere. Get some rest; we've more than earned it.'

There was silence. 'Why do you ask?' asked Illidan suddenly.

'Because there are some ships following us.' said Arthas.

'What?!' said Illidan. 'Impossible!'

Jaina and Illidan made their way to Arthas' position and peered over the side. Or rather Jaina peered over the side and Illidan stood there, blind. Then she realized he was listening carefully to the wind, and perhaps sensing.

'It doesn't have to be anything sinister, Arthas.' said Jaina. 'It is probably just a fleet of merchant ships sailing their wares. Straight into the Maelstrom. Damn.'

'Maiev is on the ship.' said Illidan. 'I'd know that scar-faced whore's voice anywhere. Curse that woman. She must have somehow gotten word of us. Yet how?'

Jaina remembered the birds she had seen. Birds that were not native to Duskwallow. 'I just realized, I saw some birds that didn't belong in Duskwallow.'

'What kind?' asked Illidan.

'Owls of some sort.' said Jaina. 'I think the huntresses keep them as pets.'

'Why did you say nothing of this before?' demanded Illidan.

'I didn't think it was important.' said Jaina. 'I… probably should have.'

'No matter.' said Illidan. 'Now that we know they are here it will be a simple matter to remove them. Vashj!'

The Sea Witch emerged from the ocean at his command. 'Your will, Lord Illidan?'

'The Warden is following us.' said Illidan. 'Sink her ships. Kill the crew and bring her to me.'

'In Azshara's name, it will be done.' said Vashj, before turning.

'Hold on! We can't attack them!' said Jaina.

'I see no reason why we should not.' said Vashj. 'There is no possible motive for the night elves to be here save to interfere with our affairs. The very fact that they tail us means we will soon come to blows with them. Better to face them where we hold the advantage.'

'Yes,' said Jaina, 'but they might not be acting with Malfurion and Tyrande's blessing.'

'What do you mean?' asked Illidan.

'I've been in contact with the night elves.' said Jaina. 'I… persuaded Tyrande and Malfurion to forbid Maiev Shadowsong from pursuing you. To my knowledge that order hasn't changed.'

'If that is so,' said Vashj, 'then we may feel free to annihilate them without consequence?'

'Can we?' asked Jaina. 'Illidan, the ruler of the night elves, wasn't Malfurion or Tyrande. It was Cenarius. He was the one everyone looked to for orders. Now that Cenarius is dead, your brother is the closest they have to a leader. But Maiev got her orders directly from Cenarius.

'It is possible that she may regard Tyrande as an illegitimate source of authority.'

'Her reasons do not matter to me in the slightest.' said Illidan. 'Nor do I see why this should matter to you?'

'Because I need the night elves, Illidan.' said Jaina. 'If the Horde turns hostile, then the night elves can create a second front against them. And it isn't in your interest to destroy her either, not like this.'

'Why not?' asked Vashj. 'Very few disadvantages would be worth diminishing that race of savages.'

'Look,' said Jaina, 'right now Maiev hasn't done anything to attack us. She probably will, but we've got the combined forces of the Alliance and the Naga here. She has what, two ships? If it comes to a fight, we'll win easily.'

'If she is fool enough to attack us,' said Arthas, 'we can simply explain the situation. Malfurion can disavow any knowledge or complicity in the affair. If we attack and destroy her, however, it could be considered an act of war.'

'Why should the night elves deny her complicity?' asked Vashj.

'Because they need us.' said Arthas. 'For the first time in thousands of years, the barrens are a threat to them. The Barrens Alliance and the Horde are both growing in power. If one of them were to invade the night elves, they would want help in repelling the invasion.'

'This is all very complicated.' said Illidan. 'Vashj, what is your view on this?'

'I expect we will end up killing her regardless.' said Vashj. 'Yet there is a certain logic to their arguments. I will defer to your judgment.'

'…We will not attack first.' said Illidan.

'Good.' said Jaina.

'Jaina,' said Arthas, 'can you not teleport over to Darnassus? You can confirm whether or not Maiev is here under an official order?'

'Teleporting is not as effortless as I make it look, Arthas.' said Jaina. 'Besides, I'm on a ship. That makes it much more difficult, and one wrong move could send me to the wrong place. Which could make getting back difficult.'

'Ah, of course.' said Arthas.

'How can you not know such a simple thing?' asked Jaina.

'Ripping souls from the bodies of corpses and resurrecting the dead is one thing.' said Arthas. 'Arcane magic is quite another.'

Morning dawned. By the light of the rising sun, they beheld the islands that were their destination. It had taken days of travel, but there they were. They were far more colorful than Jaina had expected. Tropical trees were everywhere on them. Even from this distance, she could see birds flying this way and that. She thought she caught sight of some sea giants as well, but that might have just been her imagination. Here and there as they drew near the shore, she could see shattered masonry, etched with carvings.

'I knew of these islands back from the stories my father would tell me when I was a teenager.' said Jaina. 'It was Gul'dan who came here first, wasn't it?'

'Yes,' said Vashj, 'the sorcerer used his formidable powers to raise it up from the depths. It destroyed several settlements of ours in the process. Since then they have been refounded.'

'I'd like to see some of these settlements if you don't mind.' said Jaina.

'Then you are fortunate,' said Vashj, 'we will pass right through one of them soon enough.'

They soon were navigating between a number of different islands. As they did, they passed strange settlements of a design Jaina did not recognize. She peered at them in wonder, for they seemed to consist of many colorful growths in shallow water. It took a moment for her to recognize them.

'Those are… coral reefs.' Jaina realized. 'How were they not destroyed when Gul'dan raised the island?'

'They were not here.' said Vashj. 'The coral reef is essential to the ecosystem of many undersea creatures. We naga create them as a means to shelter them. This makes hunting for our fish convenient.'

'So, fish farming then?' said Jaina, noticing now the shimmering of naga scales amid the communities. 'That's really clever.' There were other things. In particular, a huge ziggurat-like structure immersed in the water. There were three pillars rising high. Around it was strange creatures, that looked like they were related to murlocs. 'What is that huge building?'

'The Temple of the Tides.' said Vashj. 'Where the ruler resides. There is also where the mur'gul's bring their tribute.'

'And the one with the wings?' asked Jaina.

'That is the Shrine to Azshara, where my sisters and I are trained and sleep. It is also where the couatls roost.' Jaina glanced up to where some of the flying serpents Vashj spoke of were flying. They were remarkable creatures, weren't they? 'And then there are the spawning grounds. There the males look after the eggs, alongside some of our more formidable creatures.'

'You mean that square well thing?' guessed Jaina.

'Yes.' said Vashj.

'So the genders are segregated?' surmised Jaina.

'They are allowed to interact during the time of feasting near the coral reef.' said Vashj. 'That is where courtship takes place. Usually, there are several males for every female. Our males are more numerous, stronger and less intelligent than our females.'

'Some would say the last two is true of humans.' mused Jaina with a slight smile. 'So, do you fertilize eggs or-'

'We reproduce by the same means as surface dwellers.' said Vashj, sounding surprised at the question. 'A remnant of our former natures.'

'Ah, right um… So, Azshara, she is your goddess?'

'In a manner of speaking.' said Vashj.

'I heard some unflattering stories from the night elves.' said Jaina.

'Of course, you did. The night elves are a stagnant race. They are doomed to be wiped away. Their every action is dedicated to continuing their gradual spiral into oblivion. With the exception of Lord Illidan, of course.' said Vashj. 'Azshara is a being of unsurpassed beauty and wisdom. That wisdom and power have only increased with time.'

'Didn't she try to summon Sageras so they could… uh…' Jaina paused, '…live happily ever after,

'Night elf propaganda surrounds that story.' said Vashj. 'They would have you believe her entirely vapid and selfish. Sageras had no intention of destroying Azeroth. He was in love with Azshara.'

'And you are sure about this?' said Jaina.

'I was Azshara's handmaiden long before the War of the Ancients.' said Vashj. 'I had to listen to some of their conversations. No one who was not lovestruck could act the way the two of them did. The night elves didn't stop Sageras to save the world. They did it to prevent their rebellion from being crushed.

'Sageras was hardly alone anyway. Azshara is a very easy person to fall in love with.'

This conversation was getting remarkably awkward. 'Ah, you know, I met Archimonde.' said Jaina. 'Uh… you'll forgive me if I doubt that his master was-'

'Archimonde and Kil'jaden thought Sageras was merely using Azshara.' explained Vashj. 'One does not reveal that one is madly and desperately in love with someone to one's subordinates. It is a sign of weakness. Because of that once Sageras was slain they continued to operate on what they assumed was his will.'

'Yes but, the Legion has destroyed many worlds.' said Jaina. 'Why would Azeroth be special?'

'There is nothing special about Azeroth.' said Vashj. 'Only Azshara. Had Sageras succeeded in his agenda my people would have become his favored servants. And Azshara, his queen. Only the intervention of the wretched night elves prevented that glorious event.'

'Well, you'll forgive me if I say that I'm glad my species had a chance to exist.' mused Jaina, suspecting that a large part of what was being said was naga propaganda.

'You should thank Illidan for that, not the night elves.' hissed Vashj. 'Here we are.'

Thank Illidan? Why?

'Why Illidan?' asked Jaina.

But Vashj did not hear her. She'd already leaped over the side and was swimming toward a large naga settlement. In the distance, she could see a gigantic structure of tan stone, overgrown with foliage and vines. It was on a patch of dry land hardly larger than the structure itself.

The gangplank was thrown down, and Jaina stepped off the vessel into the ankle-high water. A huge naga male appeared before her as her men came down, carrying a trident.

'I bring greetings on behalf of Lady Serpenthra.' said the naga. 'I am to escort you to her hall. You had best watch your step and follow me carefully. Some parts of this settlement are very deep. It was not made for surface dwellers.'

'Your hospitality is greatly appreciated.' said Jaina with a bow.

Arthas and Illidan came by her at a fast pace, and she followed after them, leading her troops forward. Several times her men misstepped and stepped into the deeper water. Fortunately, the naga were quick to fish them out, so no one died, but Jaina couldn't help but feel ill at ease. Her unease grew when she saw some of the mur'guls she'd seen before. It was lying on its knees, resting when a massive naga male loomed over it. A whip was in his hand.

'Wretched creature! Get back to work!' snarled the naga.

There was a crack, and the mur'gul scrambled back to its work, but not before receiving several more lashes. The naga then delved back into the water. Jaina felt a sense of pity for the creature.

'Shouldn't you do something about that?' she asked Vashj.

'Why would I?' asked Vashj, perplexed. 'The Mur'gol's purpose is to serve us. If it will not work, it is right that it should be whipped.'

'…You know, among humans it is generally considered a sign of tyranny to whip one's peasants.' said Jaina.

'Remarkable.' mused Vashj. 'How do you keep them in line?'

'Incentives generally.' said Jaina. 'People work harder if they have a stake in the system.'

'Interesting. Whatever the case, they are not my slaves to discipline.' said Vashj. 'Thus it is out of my hands. We Sea Witches each rule our own subordinates and are united only by our loyalty to Azshara. Quiet, here is the Lady Serpenthra now.'

Serpenthra was a bit taller than Vashj, and the snakes she had for hair were shorter. She held a trident in one hand as she slithered forward and bowed to Illidan. 'Lord Illidan, your coming has been foreseen by Azshara. Though the strands of fate did not speak as loudly in regards to some of these.'

'As in all things, Lady Serpenthra, fate is as always a cunning mistress. Only those such as your Queen may know it fully.' said Illidan, bowing in turn.

'If Azshara withheld such knowledge from us, then I am certain it is part of her plan.' said Serpenthra. 'Come, we have prepared a meal for you and your assembly.'

'Among the younger Sea Witches it has become a custom to refer to Azshara as omnipotent.' said Vashj, voice cold.

'And you don't?' guessed Jaina.

'Azshara's will is not to be questioned. However in my role as one of her advisors it is my duty to provide alternative plans.' said Vashj. 'I grew up with her, watched her learn to sing. We braided each other's hair when we still had it. So perhaps I am not as much in her spell as the others of my rank.'

'Was your alliance with Illidan one of those alternative plans?' asked Jaina.

'You are perceptive.' said Vashj. 'My people are impatient for war, and many wanted to launch an all-out assault on the night elves. It was I who suggested an alliance with Illidan.

'Your own people's assistance was an unforeseen windfall.'

'Yes, I guess it was.' said Jaina.

The meal, as it turned out, was fish. Lots of different kinds of fish, actually. The greens were various kinds of undersea plants. It was served by mur'guls upon tables of stone set in the dry land. Jaina's men camped some distance away, while the leadership feasted. Serpenthra proved a hospitable host and had food sent to her men as well.

Arthas remained in Illidan's shadow, speaking little save to answer questions. Illidan, on the other hand, told a full account of his doings. Jaina was called to explain others. Arthas related his own story only reluctantly.

Eventually, the conversation moved away from Jaina. She looked to Vashj, a question on her mind. 'Vashj…'

'Yes?' asked the Sea Witch.

'Why are you helping us against the legion?' asked Jaina. 'If, well, considering your history…'

'Sageras was our great hope.' said Vashj. 'Kil'jaden and Archimonde were, but his lieutenants and they are a grave threat to us. If they are victorious, all of us will burn.'

'You have asked me many questions. May I ask you one in turn?'

'Yes, of course.' said Jaina.

'Why do you trust Arthas?' asked Vashj.

The question hit her hard. She'd been asked exactly the same thing by a lot of other people, among those the people she ruled. 'Oh, um… he helped us out a lot. We've been close for years. I know he has made some mistakes, but he's trying to make up for them in his own way.'

'He has far from cut his ties with the scourge.' said Vashj. 'You seem to regard him as a subordinate when in truth this is more an alliance.'

'Look, Arthas has done… terrible things.' said Jaina. 'But I don't think he's going to keep doing them. I think he has the world's best interests at heart, or he would have joined Archimonde.'

'Perhaps,' mused Vashj, 'yet you are very naive to think that his means of helping the world must align with yours. He has some plan of his own in all this, and you should know that before he springs it on you.'

Jaina felt very uncomfortable with all this. The food was excellent, but she wasn't hungry. 'I… I'm going to see how my soldiers are doing.'

'As you wish.' said Vashj.

Jaina made her way over to the men and approached Colonel Loreena. As the woman ate, she sat up and nearly choked on her food while trying to salute. 'Lady Jaina, we weren't expecting you. Is something wrong?'

'It's nothing Loreena.' said Jaina. 'How are things doing?'

'Well the snakes have been nice enough I guess, but some of my men get the creeps from them.' said Loreena. 'Actually, I do as well.'

'Just bear with them.' said Jaina. 'They are a different culture from ours.'

'And a different kind.' said Loreena. 'Have you seen how they treat those mur'guls?'

'Have you seen how some human lords treat their subjects?' asked Jaina, annoyed by the implication. 'The naga don't have a monopoly on bad intentions you know.'

'Yes, ma'am, I understand.' said Loreena. 'Sorry for bringing it up.'

'And don't call them snakes.' said Jaina. 'Some might take offense.'

'Yes ma'am.' said Loreena.

'Good, stay sharp. I'm hoping we can avoid any combat, but if Maiev attacks us we'll have to defend the naga.' said Jaina. 'I've got to get back.'

As Jaina made her way back, she couldn't help be troubled by what Vashj said. It had the ring of truth. She wanted to trust Arthas, but could she?

It was an unbearable hesitation which now possessed Maiev. With every moment they got closer to the island. She became more and more convinced that this would end in disaster. Illidan had formidable forces. What could she do against them with these few watchers?

Then she noticed something. Naisha was holding a bottle, and there was a familiar scent. Maiev made her way over. 'What is that?'

'Oh this?' said Naisha. 'It's just… uh… perfume. I bought it in one of the markets on the way.'

'Why?' asked Maiev.

'Well, I'm told it makes one more attractive.' said Naisha.

In a fury, Maiev snatched the bottle and hurled it into the ocean. Naisha grasped for it, but it landed and fell into the water. 'There is no time for this, Naisha. I'll let the matter pass, but this had best not happen again.'

'Yes mistress.' said Naisha.

Maiev turned away and looked to the islands growing larger in the morning light. Suddenly she felt tired. ''I should have started out earlier, Naisha.'

'What?' said Naisha.

'Illidan escaped my grasp in Ashenvale.' said Maiev. 'If I had struck earlier, we could have avoided all this.'

'Mistress Shadowsong, Ashenvale was in chaos.' said Naisha. 'Cenarius was dead, and no one knew who was in command. The demonic remnants were running rampant, and Califax was dead as well. If you'd set out after Illidan hundreds, thousands of innocents may have died in the chaos.

'And once he was in Theramore we could not have taken him without risking open war.'

'Perhaps, but we risk open war even now.' said Maiev. 'We must tread carefully Naisha.'

They had tracked Illidan to a strange chain of islands. Now the only question was what he was doing here, and if they could stop him.

Authors Note:

Okay, so this chapter came out longer than I expected. Most of it ended up being dedicated to elaborating on the naga's culture, which was fun. Don't worry; I promise there will be some action in this fic.

Now for those just joining us, I have a policy. If Warcraft III and WoW disagree, I will almost always favor Warcraft III. This is because Warcraft III was well written, while WoW is… not

Thus the naga worship Azshara as a god.

Edit:

Okay, so I remembered something wrong. For some reason, I really thought that Elune and Ysera were revealed to be the same entity. I can't find anything on WoW wiki, so I've removed the text in question.