A/N
Sorry I'm a bit late, but RL... and because this was really difficult to put on paper. You sneak a peek at two worlds!
I would like to say thank you for the reviews:
tamerlan110 - for never giving up on me!
Egohan - I really try to keep up the good work, I hope you like this chapter, too!
Guest - well observed! Sylvanas is indeed drawing out more aggressive aspects of Anduin. Being the opposite to her straightforward and playful manner, he downright begs for provocations. ;-)
EarnestShippinglane89 - there will be more comparisons, since Arthas is Sylvanas' nightmare and has a lot of similarities with Anduin! :)
MWhite - OMG! What a wonderful comment! How can I thank you again? You really pushed me forward with this chapter, especially by catching me on a very bad time while writing. This is a chapter with less dialogue, but important for the overall story, so give me a chance for the fourth one when our beloved characters clash again. I hope you enjoy this one - especially the last part -, nonetheless.
dfsdfvh - I already told you how touching your comment was, and this is a promise, I'll stick around.
After returning to his quarters, Anduin had fallen in his bed – and slept. He had probably heard the first and second knocks on his door without acknowledging them, and when he took notice of the third one, Genn was already storming into his sleeping room to roughly shake him awake.
"My king, wake up. - Anduin!"
The young king, heavily ripped off his vital sleep, rubbed his eyes, still fatigued, trying to come to his senses. It sure felt like he had just dropped off.
"What is it now?" Was all he asked, exhaustion still clinging to him.
Genn who was still fully clothed – hadn't gone to bed anyway, Anduin mused – shook his head.
"Hurry, please. There was an ambush at the Stockades. Some prisoners escaped."
With a jerk, the meaning of the words hitting, Anduin was on alert and jumped out of his bed.
Genn followed him into the antechamber where the young man - after shortly detouring in the bathroom - slipped in his royal tunic and grabbed for his boots while adjusting the representative parts in a haste. Every grip sat firmly. At least one thing that goes according to my plan, Anduin thought, weary, in between some yawns.
"You might be interested to hear that your precious queen is gone as well."
Genn's sarcasm wasn't to be missed, yet Anduin had no time to dwell on it. And hadn't he been mocked the whole night? There were more urgent matters at hand now. As quick as he could be, he was already at the door.
"Are you coming?" He asked while racing through the threshold.
Genn scoffed when he hurried after Anduin, who – while adjusting the sash and the belt - already tried to develop a proper strategy to organize the Stormwind Guards and Town criers to avoid wrecking too much havoc in his city. The most important thing was to secure his citizens. And the Guards had to be advised to take their posts, to lower the gates and to block the exits, so the Horde was not allowed to escape. There was also a War council to be summoned as fast as possible when this was over.
Anduin had already issued his first orders in the Throne Room when he thought of Jaina. She currently stayed in Stormwind at the Mage Quarter and had to be informed as well.
Sylvanas had watched Anduin go, for the most part relieved. It was not a question of just being tired of going over all those same old irritating arguments with him – and seeing him purposely missing her point, stubborn prat that he was – there was the question of her rescue, dawn already being close. However, she would have liked to tease the young king a bit more to get him out of his shell. Given how tired he was he hid less behind the shield he usually put on. Who knew, the young boy possessed more backbone than she had thought. She had already watched his careful behavior at the Arathi Highlands. Then, she had thought him naïve, something akin to an ingenuous fool, but not stupid. Fury walled up inside her when she thought of the incident again. They had been both gulled by the Menethil girl... better not to think of it.
She returned to her bench. She had expected their second encounter to end on a much more hostile note, she had in general expected torture and other visitors, but nothing of the sort had happened. Was she perhaps under protection of the young king?
She shook her head. He was far too much in her head for her taste, him being an issue she shouldn't herself indulge in, having more urgent and present matters at hand to deal with. Sylvanas closed her eyes, pondering her next steps in the silence of her cell until the sound of shouts and then the clashing of arms rose her from her musings. My rescue mission is arriving earlier than I thought, she smirked.
Having entrusted this secret mission to Nathanos and the Horde's champion was proving to have been a master stroke. She trusted both of them completely, something which had became rare since certain members of the Horde seemed to feel her recent actions had been indiscriminate. The real objective, however, was not just her, but another political prisoner, too. To win this war, the Horde needed more allies. It played right into her hands that the young boy-king had gotten his hands on something that didn't belong to him – and that could easily change the war in the faction's favor.
The rattling of the keys when the Horde's champion opened her cell door reminded her of another visitor. The one who had taken care of releasing her off the chains. He had made this a lot easier.
"Greetings, Warchief of the Horde."
"Be quick."
"First Arcanist Thalyssra of the Nightborne and Shadowhunter Rokhan of the Darkspear tribe are already freeing Princess Talanji, Dark Lady. Nathanos Blightcaller and Lasan Skyhorn wait for us at the Harbor."
"Good." She nodded while following the champion out of the cell and over to where the others were already standing. There was a quick introduction.
Princess Talanji, the political prisoner whom Sylvanas had come for was easily recognized by her traditional and magnificent clothing. The proud and beautiful young troll princess was accompanied by another troll who called himself Zul the Prophet.
Sylvanas took one look around. "Where's Saurfang?" Of course was the troublemaker of an Orc missing.
Thalyssra only shook her head. "He chose to distract our Guards which is why we must hurry."
The troll, Zul, who seemed to know the way, lead them out of the Stockades. Their action had already caused an uproar among Stormwind, giving the Horde chase throughout the City. Guards were patrolling everywhere.
"We gotta get out of here. I kin help us sneak past all dem guards." Rokhan, known as the Horde's best scout, used his power to their advantage. Due to his ability to stealth the group they arrived securely at the Canals, a series of waterways that winded their way through the city - unfortunately the only way out of the prison - avoiding Stormwind Guards, Stormwind Knights and detector robots on their way. When they were just crossing a bridge, Zul suddenly stopped.
"Jump off de bridge. Now."
Rokhan, who went ahead, shook his head. "Eh?"
But Zul was already jumping. "Now!"
Sylvanas wasn't excited, but she jumped with the rest of the group immediately into the water. She wanted out. Truly out when she realized that, of all things, it was the young king who neared on his white horse – how appropriate, she mocked in her own thoughts, considering their former discussion of the knight in shining armor – surrounded by his Royal Guards and Clerics, personally on duty to protect his people. He was on his way to cross the bridge, the very same bridge they had been standing on, when he suddenly steadied his horse.
There was this one look from the young king. Exactly one. Down from the bridge to the Canal below. To the left side, precisely to where the whole invisible Horde group rested in the water, keeping silent. Sylvanas realized that Anduin looked directly at her. Did he know or feel that she was there? He seemed to be weighing his options. She could still recognize the eye rims, the worn out look. It was almost disconcerting how good she remembered it. Obviously they hadn't let him sleep long. She could hear his clear and bright voice.
"Remain alert. SI:7 has informed us that the enemy emerged near the Keep. They cannot have gone far. Your vigilance safeguards us all."
The decision was made, Anduin was riding on and took on patrolling again. The moment he was gone, Rokhan prompted the group forward - he, too, not fond of staying any longer than needed. They hurried towards the harbor with some minor skirmishes along their way. There they finally met Nathanos Blightcaller. His relief to find his Dark Lady back among them was cut short, however, when Lady Jaina Proudmoore along with her Mageguard Elites arrived, cornering them and forcing Rokhan to give up the stealth spell.
"You have slain many to get this far. But it is over." Jaina said, voice raised. "Surrender, and I will return you to the Stockades where you belong. There, you will await the king's justice."
Ice from the 'Frost Nova' she cast burst out of the ground, pinning them on the spot. Stepping over the frozen ground, ice cracking under her feet, she scrutinized each of them. It was Zul, the Prophet, who broke the silence. Voice smug. "Let us not be hasty. You can finish us, mere pawns of the Horde, or you can quench the flames that will otherwise burn Stormwind to the ground. - Your choice."
And the way he said it made Jaina look upwards, where Zul's torch had already generated high flames that flickered over the big rooks of Stormwind. "No... it can't be."
And just then, the young king's bright and clear voice was heard from the walls high above Stormwind's harbor. If not Zul's threat, then Anduin's cry for help finally took the decision out of Jaina's hand. "Jaina. Where are you? I need you here."
Immediately, the blonde, furious mage turned and vanished with her Elites, teleporting back to the city.
They set sail, away from the smoky flames and the tumult of Stormwind City. The fog that surrounded the coastline and the greyish dawn helped them to disappear more or less unnoticeable. To where now? There had been a short discussion, yet Sylvanas as Warchief of the Horde didn't take part. Princess Talanji decided to take sail to Zuldazar, although Nathanos insisted to sail to Orgrimmar first. Something that resulted in an almost rude response when she addressed him, determined: "Seeing as how dis is my ship I think you will need to adjust your plans. - Regardless of what your warchief wants, I must return to my people. We are going to Zandalar as dis is my ship and dis is your only way out of Stormwind."
Nathanos was only left to agree, although he did so with clenched teeth.
Sylvanas had preferred to stay on the ship's main deck, walking up to the stern deck where she went to the rail, looking backwards. It had been her wish to escape undetected. It would have worked in their favor had it been so. Now the Alliance knew that not only she was gone but the other prisoners as well – and that it was clearly the Horde's doing, not the Zandalari's own! It would not take long for the young king to add one and one together. Damn the male Zandalari troll, his ideas and the fire that not only burned Stormwind but also her plans to vanish quietly with her new allies! Gone were the quiet hours – not always quiet, she thought grimly at the memory of the young king's visit – and the comfort she had taken in them. There was more that would await her, now. Nathanos' approach told her already as much.
"My queen..."
Yet, she wasn't in the mood for receiving news. "Not now, Nathanos." She answered. Impatient, harsh.
He only bowed and announced immediately the issue. "We're heading to Zandalar first, Princess Talanji's wish. We will continue sailing to Orgrimmar, then."
He looked back and dropped his voice. "Do you think it wise to gain the Zandalari as allies?- They have proven their worth so far, yet I don't like that... Troll Princess denying us the right to sail to Kalimdor, first."
Sylvanas frowned, but responded shortly. "I honor your dedication, Nathanos."
Nathanos knew he was dismissed. Even so, he hesitated. What had happened in Stormwind to put her in such a mood? All had gone well. Nathanos' only focus had been his queen, eagerly awaiting her at the harbor. How glad he was that she was back to safety, at his side.
"My queen..."
"Go. I have much to ponder."
The ship gained speed but Sylvanas rested where she was, looking backwards. She could feel Nathanos' presence lingering, but then he left her. Something rotted her to the spot where she stood, looking back to the shores of Stormwind City and the dance of flames in the distant, black smoke against the slowly clearing sky. There was something biting at her thoughts. A question that wouldn't leave her. Why had the young king let them go? Why had he let her go?
Anduin seethed with anger on the inside. The message that his city burned had reached him just as the flames started to rise over the roofs, the night's breeze fanning their unrelenting advance. Leaving his stallion behind in a hurry, he had stormed by foot towards Cathedral Square, marching passed a deluge of citizens and joining those who had stayed behind to save their houses from the flames.
His first instinct was to blame her. Completely. He had brought openness... and something like trust to her and this was how she paid him back? Looking from a rational point of view, he had suspected from the start what a kind of person she was, so all he could do was blame himself. Yet, there had been some moments during their battle of words when he had felt he had touched something in her that could still be swayed – that could still be convinced to turn back? Never give up hope, he told himself while running around, healing the wounds of his citizens, giving them hope, helping wherever his help was needed and then, finally, looking out for Jaina when he was told she went to the harbor to confront the Horde forces. But that didn't matter anymore. Her frost barrages to get the fire under control were needed here. And so, he went after her himself.
The peaking sun would find Anduin preparing the political summit that would take place the same day. In the back of his mind he was still thinking about the night's events and that particular moment on the bridge, when he had felt Lady Windrunner's presence in the Canals. Looking down into the clear water, everything had seemed fine and he had continued searching – until he heard the news of his city set ablaze and he had been forced to go all the way back, being on the other end, in Old Town. The anger which had been his companion the whole time gave finally way to exhaustion and he fell asleep at his father's desk.
STORMWIND KEEP
The sun – having dissolved Stormwind City's fog and moist from the early day – sent its long and warm rays into Stormwind Keep's Throne room. Inside, a group of people gathered around the big table in the middle. The noises from the repairs of his damaged City – on which task Anduin had set all his craftsmen - were heard as a low echo. He stood on the broadside of the table, staring musingly at the maps and reconsidered the short talk he had had before with Lady Jaina Proudmoore, in private, after taking a visit throughout his City and walking back together.
"Just allow me one word, Anduin." Jaina had said to him, and he had looked at her questioningly.
"Genn told me you visited the Warchief of the Horde in her cell before she was broken out." Jaina had shaken her head, almost shocked. "Are you mad, Anduin?"
Anduin's first answer had been a sigh. Of course Genn couldn't have kept his mouth shut knowing very well that Jaina wouldn't hesitate to confront him. "And what else did he tell you?"
"Anduin." Jaina had recognized immediately the defiant look in his blue eyes, knowing him since his childhood. "I know you are... an angel of peace – but peace is not always the answer. Be careful who you trust."
Anduin had shot her a meaningful glance back. "I am, Jaina, yet - you know as well as I do sometimes we must fight for what we believe in. There'll be peace. One day..."
Jaina had shaken her head, again. "By trying to get the Warchief of the Horde to talk to you, Anduin? We are at crossroads and we both cannot dream any longer."
She had hesitated. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to capture them... you know, she was there, with her champions, along with the two Zandalari prisoners and also... First Arcanist Thalyssra and a troll, I believe they called him Rokhan... - and they were really smug about their escape."
Anduin who had watched her kindly, nodded. "The Horde gathered quite a troupe to free their Warchief – not to say our prisoners. I didn't know they were so ruthless - but then, I guess you would've done the same if it were me they had imprisoned."
He had taken comfort in Jaina's quick smile. "What question is this, Anduin. - Of course we would've done the same. Leaving you in the fangs of this crazy lady and those animals? No way. I would've feared for your life every second. It's not the same justice as you practice here." She had tilted her head. "On another note. The male one of the Zandalari prisoners was the one who laid the fire and threatened me with it. - I decided that teleporting back to the city was more important."
Anduin had squeezed her hand shortly. "Of course. I called for you. Why do you doubt this yourself? Jaina, I know you have been wronged often – but please be the one who believes in me as I believe in you."
What he couldn't have told her was that he was somehow relieved to hear... that it hadn't been Lady Windrunner herself who had put his city on fire. It might be childish to even think in such simple terms, yet this time he was just glad that it wasn't her personal doing. Maybe he could hold onto his belief that there was some good left in her a bit longer.
Jaina had watched him for a long amount of time, finally answering: "I do believe in you. - Never temper your passion for peace, Anduin. May the Light always protect you..."
Anduin was interrupted in his musings when suddenly someone cleared his throat next to him. He looked up. Right now, he was flanked by Genn Greymane on the one side, and Lady Jaina Proudmoore on the other side. There was a Representative from the Noble Houses of Stormwind. High Tinker Gelbin Mekkatorque from the gnomes had arrived as well as the members of the Council of the Three Hammers in representation of the dwarfs, Moira Thaurissan, Muradin Bronzebeard and Falstad Wildhammer. Lady Alleria Windrunner who substituted for the Silvermoon exiles, stood next to them. High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind who led the Darnassus night elves had also come, yet, Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage, Turalyon from the Army of the Light and Prophet Velen who led the draenei were absent, the latter's absence truly missed by Anduin who would've loved to talk a bit with him in private. - They were all curious to hear about the latest news, some of them having participated in the Battle for Lordaeron only yesterday.
"Greetings to you all," Anduin started slowly, concentrating on the task at hand, "Stormwind honors your service to the Alliance. I've summoned you here to talk about the latest events and to develop new strategies. The Horde has forced our hand again. This cannot stand. Our enemies remain one step ahead of us. We must close that gap. As most of you know -"
It was then that Mathias Shaw, Leader of SI:7, entered. Anduin nodded towards him.
"Everyone is here. What news do you bring, Spymaster?"
"Recently, Horde agents broke into the Stockades and freed their Warchief along with two Zandalari prisoners. A princess. And a prophet." Shaw answered.
Anduin stayed calm. "I'm aware. What of the Warships we sent in pursuit?"
"Only one of eight returned. Survivors say they encountered strange and terrifying magic. And a massive Zandalari fleet."
One of eight returned? And who had ordered eight of them to go, Anduin asked himself with a hint of anger at the slow and not always direct chain of command of the Alliance's navy. He had ordered some ships to follow, but not the entirety of the fleet presently stationed here in Stormwind Harbor. Who had had the final decision on this? - Something to be found out later.
"Impossible! It's one of Sylvanas' tricks. It has to be..." Genn grumbled, shaking his head.
Alleria turned towards him. "She may have lots of tricks, yet that doesn't sound like her."
Secretly, Anduin consented to her elder sister. Lady Windrunner might be responsible for much, but not all. Such tricks spoke of someone else who knew enough magic – mixed with voodoo.
Tyrande was the next to raise her voice. "We are wasting time! They defile everything they touch!"
"New struggles await us with each dawn, and uncertainty weighs upon us all." Genn growled at her. He was still grim at the fact that the Banshee Queen had escaped them.
The night elf's leader agreed, her distaste for the Horde since the Burning of Teldrassil overflowing. "What are we waiting for? This is our final stand!"
"But we've suffered many tragedies!" Gelbin interjected.
Anduin was just about to require attention when Jaina stepped forward. "We must hold strong. The Horde's retrieval party consisted of none other than what is the Horde's new champion I guess, followed by Nathanos Blightcaller, the Warchief's own champion, a troll named Rokhan and First Arcanist Thalyssra, Leader of the Nightborne..."
She was interrupted by Tyrande's annoyed tone. "Speak quickly, I am not in the mood for Thalyssra's doings..."
Anduin groaned inwardly. This was a good start, indeed. "Jaina, perhaps you could help us see what this survivor has seen?" He intervened as gentle as the situation obviously called for. "If the Horde makes allies of the Zandalari, we won't have the power to stop them."
After they had been shown what Princess Talanji's magic was capable of – a vision of the eight Alliance's vessels had risen before them, pursuing the Horde ship and closing in on it, then the Zandalari Princess walked out onto the top of the deck and cast a spell. Thick fog surrounded all ships, and when the Alliance ships finally broke through it and caught up, they were attacked by the Zandalari turrets and their ships. Seven of the vessels sunk in the crossfire while the eighth one turned around and fled -, silence ensued for a moment.
There go my people and my ships, Anduin thought with another hint of anger. Yet, he was the first to speak again to clarify the situation. "The Zandalari fleet is not one to be underestimated. I was informed that the Zandalari trolls are not only well known for their naval abilities, they are also known for their Voodoo power. King Rastakhan, their ruler, is blessed with a long life and a strength beyond most trolls. He has ruled wisely over two hundred years. Princess Talanji is his only daughter which might explain her powerful skills."
"Then we must make allies of our own." Jaina replied immediately.
A short smile played around his lips when Anduin acceded to her. "It is indeed time for us to bring in new allies to join our cause."
Moira's supporting contribution was to be heard, Muradin and Falstad nodded in agreement. "The Alliance needs strength. Unity. The king's plan to bring in fresh blood is a good one."
Gelbin, who stood next to the dwarfs, whispered to them: "The young king reminds me so much of his father. More than he realizes, I think."
"Speak louder!" Muradin whispered back.
Which the High Tinker did: "I'm convinced the young king is the right person to lead this effort and bring new faces into the Alliance."
"But time waits for no one." Tyrande argued.
"Which is why," Anduin picked up her thread, "I was thinking of Kul Tiras, the greatest naval power in all of Azeroth and a former ally." Turning questioningly towards Jaina, he waited patiently for her response. All eyes turned to her.
Jaina swallowed, but nodded and repeated Anduin's words. "My people command the most powerful navy in all of Azeroth. If I could bring Kul Tiras back into the Alliance..."
Genn could only smirk. "Jaina, you're the reason they left the Alliance."
She turned towards the young king, determined. "And dealing with that is the only hope we have of bringing them back."
"I believe it is... and I believe you can." Anduin answered her softly. "It will be difficult... and dangerous."
Jaina sighed, yet her position was consolidated. "I will return with the fleet... or not at all. - If you'll excuse me, I must prepare my ship."
Anduin who had already foreseen her reaction, tilted his head hesitantly. He was loath to put Jaina in harm's way, seeing her constantly criticized for a decision she made one day, believing so deeply in the promise of peace between the Alliance and Horde that she had betrayed her own father... if one were to call it like that.
"I'll place the Alliance's emissary at your side. He'll meet you in the harbor when you are ready to depart. - Be careful, Jaina. Light be with you."
Nodding towards all, she turned and left the Council heading towards Stormwind's harbor – sailing off to Boralus, accompanied by one of Anduin's most trusted men. In her absence, the Council continued to be in session.
"Now. On to the next topic, since we got that settled." Anduin proceeded to say, his mind filling with options to support Jaina in Kul Tiras furthermore. There was the possibility of sending a very experienced and older person after her, yet he wasn't sure if he ought to address it officially or perhaps later on in a private talk. Genn's reaction from the last night vivid on his mind, he decided to go for the latter.
GROMMASH HOLD
They had continued sailing to Bladefist Bay where Sylvanas, now back in the Capital of the Horde, was greeted in a conservative way. Although her companions assured her that it was a good thing the Warchief returned she knew deep down it was not really meant from the heart. When had all this started, them doubting her loyalty towards the Horde?
The first thing she did was summoning a council. All had to come to Grommash Hold where she now resided. The keep was simple and well designed, the warchief's throne to the head end and there was a small chamber behind the throne room with a curtain. After Vol'jin's death, his glaives were put on display to the left side in remembrance of him.
In the late evening, when the hot climate became bearable and lanterns illuminated Orgrimmar, the flickering firelight throwing dancing shadows on the red canyon walls and creating a mystic atmosphere – something which made it nearly an attractive city to look at - the Leaders of the Horde made their slow way to the Valley of Strength towards Grommash Hold.
Inside, Sylvanas was currently sitting on the warchief's throne, flanked as always by the Kor'kron and some Death Guards, waiting impatiently for the council to start and even more for it to be over and done with. Nathanos who stood beside her was talking to one of her Dark Rangers which gave her time to digress. The question of loyalty was still nagging at her while she took a quick glance at Vol'jin's glaives.
He had had it all. The loyalty. The trust. The respect. From every part of the Horde. That's why Sylvanas still couldn't understand what had made him promote her warchief. She knew it was not because she had saved him and the Horde, on the Broken Shore - he had said it was the Loa that he honored, that had told him and granted him a vision.
"You must step out of da shadows and lead."
No, it wasn't right. Whatever his 'Loa' had seen, it couldn't be. The shadows were her place. Always had been, since...
"Warchief!" Trade Prince Jastor Gallywix's jovial voice tore her from her musings. "What is the urgency?"
Sylvanas looked up and saw that the others had arrived, too. Starting with Eitrigg who had taken the lead for the Orcs in Orgrimmar while Saurfang was absent - and she had yet to explain to him that Saurfang had stayed in the Stockades to make their escape possible, technically she suspected otherwise, but Rokhan and Thalyssra hadn't told her much so far. Standing next to him was Lasan Skyhorn, the chieftain of the Skyhorn tribe, the Highmountain tauren who often substituted for the busy High Chieftain Mayla Highmountain. There was also Baine Bloodhoof, the leader of the tauren, accompanied by his advisor Hamuul Runetotem. A bit behind Lor'Themar Theron, Lord Regent of Silvermoon, talked to Lady Liadrin, the matriarch of the Blood Knights. Nearby was the group that had made up her retrieval party, Thalyssra and of course Rokhan, who also had Bwemba at his other side. Even Ji Firepaw, the Leader of the Huojin Pandaren – holding himself mostly quiet in the background – had followed her summoning.
When Sylvanas had greeted them all, Baine Bloodhoof immediately came forward, his imposing size and colored body decoration making him always one of the leaders of the Horde to look at first.
"Warchief, if I may offer a few words," he began with his sonorous and calm voice, "it is with relief we gather here tonight. Many brave heroes of the Horde fell in the Battle for Lordaeron, but against all odds we have our warchief back."
There was a very short applause to be heard.
Eitrigg, the elder Orc, nodded at him and raised his voice next. "Yet, what happened to High Overlord Varok Saurfang?"
Something I would like to know, too, Sylvanas thought when Rokhan, who had a similar impressive appearance with his protruding tusks and was the public face of the Darkspear trolls, stepped forward.
He started his speech with a smile. "Don't ya worry, mon. I'll be lettin' ya know. - While we were on our trip to free our warchief- " here, he nodded towards Sylvanas, "we split, me and Thalyssra went over to Saurfang's cell, Horde's champion was goin' over to the Dark Lady..."
"And to make it short," Thalyssra who already stood beside him, laid her hand upon his shoulder and took up the conversation with her smooth and silky voice, "we freed him while he told us he would distract the guards to allow us to escape as quickly as possible." She raised her voice to emphasize her next words. "Without him, we simply wouldn't have succeeded."
Nobody knew that the two had decided during the sail on Princess Talanji's ship from Stormwind to Orgrimmar to stick to the short version she told here. No need for further political complications, Thalyssra had explained to Rokhan, knowing full well of the meaning of all those in her long isolation.
Eitrigg was startled. "What?"
To avoid more questions, Thalyssra turned towards him and answered him kindly. "We must forge our own destiny. This decision was High Overlord Varok Saurfang's own. There was great honor in it."
The elder Orc nodded upon hearing this. "We are bound by blood and honor. I will not forget it."
Baine who valued Saurfang as well, was quick to present the next question. "So are we gathered here to organize another retrieval party for him?"
Gallywix chimed in. "Yeah sure. But I got a business to run, see..."
Baine interrupted him immediately, not liking the Goblin and his money grubbing schemes very much. "It is my belief – war tests us. Forces us to examine our honor, our convictions which is why..."
Not a fan of Baine's paraphrasing and often flowery language, Nathanos, who had stayed silent up until now, rolled his eyes and muttered: "Make it quick!"
The trade prince, not happy about the interruption either, started louder this time. "But I got a business to run. And a rather delicate one..." He didn't get further, because Eitrigg who bore no love for the Goblin's self-congratulation either, spoke again. "Our fury will save Azeroth!"
Thalyssra, not having partaken in much of these horde council's but watching their dynamic with growing curiosity, took the Orc's interjection seriously and didn't change her kind tone. "We are only as strong as our will."
Motivated by her comment, Lor'Themar joined in. "We have made many sacrifices..."
Lasan Skyhorn supported his statement with a hum. "Time for us to push our advantage. - Remember, most enemies forget... to look up!" His melodious laughter followed and was contagious.
And suddenly, ideas for Saurfang's retrieval from the Alliance came thick and fast from all sides of the Horde participants.
Sylvanas' eyes glowed a low red. The others' tendency to discuss and argue over insignificant matters that were never bound to happen boring her even before the argument started. If Saurfang's archaic way – a recurrent discussion the two of them had had over and over again and with which she had been fed up with the last time in Lordaeron – made it more important to him to save his fellows than returning to Orgrimmar, then so be it. What else was there to talk about? Looking back, those exchanges with the young king of Stormwind had been almost refreshing compared to the boredom overload here. She might be 'brooding' again - as the boy-king had observed so well - but getting out of the dungeons of Stormwind to be pushed into the political dungeons of Orgrimmar wasn't her idea of being saved. Not by a long shot. It was more like 'off the frying pan and into the fire' to use some of the comparisons a lot of humans – including the young king, she thought – were so in favor of using as if it would make sense to explain a situation better by replacing it with a dubious image. Now that she thought about it, maybe she should have grabbed him and tossed him in here, in the middle of this pandemonium. At least there would be a lively and interesting discussion going around. With his unwavering adoration for 'how to achieve peace' in the best way possible – possessing the essential tactical knowledge and the diplomatic skills to steer every argument towards this topic - he would probably make everyone go into cardiac arrest. Except her. Benefit for being undead again, Sylvanas thought. Her lips twitching, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth, she didn't notice that she was keenly observed by her champion.
Nathanos couldn't be more surprised. Rarely did his Queen got in such a good mood while political issues from all sides were tossed around. Yes, they had gotten her out of the Stockades but she had been very offhand with him, then. More brusque than usual. And now? What had transpired that had changed that? He continued watching, fascinated. What was on her mind?
Yet, another one of Gallywix's "Warchief, one moment?" brought her attention back to reality. Where were the talks even at?
"We are still discussing... how to proceed." Nathanos filled her in, quietly.
Sylvanas nodded and stood up, deciding to put an end to all suggestions. "Saurfang chose to stay behind and distracted the enemy so we could escape." Her brief and terse summary left no doubt of the honor in his action. Then, she turned towards Baine and shook her head. "Bloodhoof, I have no time for another secret escape mission. There are other things to do. The Alliance is not to be taken lightly."
"Hmm... what is she up to?" Hamuul whispered to Baine who stood beside him, both surprised that their Warchief explicitly mentioned the enemy faction.
Sylvanas continued. "I'm convinced that we will have an advantage when we win the Zandalari trolls as an allied race. I already left the Horde's champion at Zuldazar to help convince King Rakhastan. Gaining him and especially his fleet will be decisive in our fight against the Alliance."
Thalyssra was quick to agree. "As I said before, we must forge our own destiny. And we need a plan."
Eitrigg nodded towards the First Arcanist whose open and clear words he started to like. This was a topic he was invested in, too. "The Horde needs allies. This is true. But to be worthy of a place here, those we recruit must have honor in their hearts, if they lack it, their presence only diminishes us – I suggest we not only try to win the Zandalari, but also the Mag'har Orcs as an allied race."
Sylvanas turned towards him, not sure whether she should welcome more Orcs in the Horde or not. But then, if they were to bring the Alliance to its knees, they needed all the help they could get. The battle for Lordaeron had taught her that the young king and his forces weren't to be underestimated in the oncoming warfronts.
"Something to ponder." Was her short answer while she sat down again.
Baine's calm voice got involved. "We must unite if we are to survive."
"Highmountain stands!" Lasan added who wanted the Council now to be finished as quick as possible, not a friend of long sessions he feared this one would grow into.
Yet at this moment, Lady Liadrin chose to interfere as well. "Really?" She addressed Rokhan. "Can you give us your word that these trolls are to be trusted?"
Rokhan shook his head. "Don't ya worry, mon. Dis people be comin' from old, ancient traditions. Their spirit is still strong in dis land. Da work they be doin' honors us, the Horde."
The Lord Regent's pleasant voice was to be heard. "Like our people, the Horde is always in motion."
Her head in hands so nobody could see her displeasure that the most important discussion was drifting away again into nothing, Sylvanas decided to interrupt him, tired of how the leaders of the Horde insisted in leaving the immediate threat out of sight. Her clipped voice echoed the sentiment. "So is the Alliance."
Nevertheless, Lor'Themar skipped her comment. "The Horde is always changing..."
Yes, Sylvanas thought annoyed, we know, but since the young king is on board, this applies to both factions. Why was it only her who realized this?
The blood elf continued. "But make no mistake. We will endure."
Knowing how Lor'Themar loved to bathe in his wail of the old ways being lost, Sylvanas just rolled her eyes. Hell, why were they all in such a talkative mood tonight? How long had this council to go on before she could end it? Suddenly, she wanted nothing more than to return to Undercity. Looking around, Grommash Hold lacked the riches and statues of a human palace, and Sylvanas, used to the beautiful architecture of Lordaeron that extended down to Undercity which she valued as an elf - even an undead one - became once more angry at the young King of the Alliance who had forced her to destroy her residence in the Eastern Kingdoms where she had felt far more comfortable. And her thoughts began drifting by themselves when she tried to imagine what that council of him would look like. Something akin to: The Horde is evil. The Horde wants to take all away from us. Ha! He would've been right with that one. Would he have mentioned having talked to her? During the second visit he had admitted that nobody had known that he had gone to her. So was she his dirty little secret? A mischievous smirk was on her face. Poor boy. It must have cost him sleep, his goody two shoes conscience forced to keep silent about this. -
Something Rokhan said gained suddenly her attention. He wanted to return to Zuldazar to make sure the Horde's Champion got every help she needed? And Baine wanted to accompany him? Hell, the more the merrier. The prospect of something like quiet returning to Orgrimmar made closing this council much easier. Taking them both up on their suggestion, she rose to speak. "It is decided that the both of you can leave tomorrow. The Horde's presence is required there for now, and who better than you, Rokhan and Bloodhoof?" She waved her hand. "We'll continue when you returned."
Lasan Skyhorn stepped towards the other tauren, seeing a chance to visit Miwana's Longhouse, the inn in the Valley of Wisdom of Orgrimmar. "Well then, I shall show you how to properly break wind!"
Hamuul started to grin. "Can't wait for the call to the skies?"
Lasan's deep laughter – or was it more a guffaw of laughter? - made Sylvanas roll her eyes. What was this now? A comedian council?
Baine couldn't resist to join in. "There is much at... 'steak' here."
She shook her head when she heard the other ones' cracks, watching Eitrigg rhyme and Rokhan continue.
"I come from the Orcs. We eat with spoons and forks. We love to eat our pork!"
"Cooking's done. Stew here!"
This wasn't really happening, was it? Sylvanas rose to her feet. "The council is officially over."
Now all was left was to plan the next event. When all the others immediately turned to leave, however, she held the goblin back.
"Gallywix? What's your status?"
STORMWIND
Anduin returned to his private quarters late in the night, for once having them all to himself. Although he was dead tired, he took his time to sit by the fire and to have the flames not only give a flickering light but also warm his tired bones. He leaned his head back as his restless mind bothered him again.
The thoughts slipped away... needless to say, to her. He sighed. Since when had this fascination for her started? Since she had begun a discussion with him? Allowing him to say what he meant, to not being measured by everything he did, not being treated either as an egg that could crack at any instant nor with the respect he was used to be met with. Had he grown so tired of having people silence what they thought for fear they would cross a line, he was now searching for someone who would? He was still mulling over the fact that he had admitted by choice that he felt comfortable with her. Because her aggressive behavior and her belligerent attitude reminded him of his father? Was that the reason he didn't feel in the slightest threatened by her? Did he miss his father so much that he sought deliberately the attention of another fierce warrior? Because it was a ground position he knew by heart and felt safe treading on as well as one he knew how to navigate through? He shook the head about himself. That wasn't it. Yes, she was a warrior like Varian. Yes, she had sudden violent outbursts, like him. Yes, she tended to stomp one down, using her arguments like weapons. Not like tools. But at the same time she wasn't him in any of that. If he had only caught a glimpse of her comprehension or of her compassion. If... no sense of posing this questions all over again. It was like it was, and the Warchief of the Horde was a puzzle which he would perhaps never solve.
He was also thinking of Jaina and his decision to send Genn after her. He still wished to talk with him first thing in the morning. After the council, there hadn't been enough time to catch on him and he had realized that the Worgen avoided him to a certain degree. Probably not wanting to take up on the last discussion either. But Anduin was convinced that Genn was the best for the job, since he knew Jaina's mother, Lady Katherine Proudmoore. And mustn't they share nearly the same age?
After breakfast, which he took alone, and a short visit to the harbor, he went immediately in search of Genn, inquiries finally leading him to Lion's rest, a place of contemplations and remembrance close to the sea, where Genn seemed to have taken refuge. Oddly enough.
"Here you are. - I was looking for you."
Genn looked up from the bench in the park without a word. His silence not letting on if he was glad or not that Anduin showed up.
The young king sighed. "How long do you plan on staying here in order to avoid me?"
The elder Worgen shook his head. "Can I not just enjoy the beautiful weather?"
Anduin took his place beside him, slightly bent forward. "You can have both – because I would like to ask you to do something for me."
"And here I thought you came to apologize and mend your ways regarding that precious queen of yours?"
Anduin's mouth twitched. "She's not mine, Genn." And since he thought to take it with a grain of salt – although not much into gossip - he added: "And as far as I'm informed, she already has a champion."
Genn growled. "I'm not in the mood to talk about this crazy bitch, Anduin. - What is it you came for?"
"Jaina." The young king answered.
"You're constantly worrying about almost everyone, my king."
"I'm really worrying about her, otherwise I wouldn't be here, asking you." Anduin revealed, not knowing how else to express the bad feeling he had since having allowed her to go on a task she had nevertheless suggested herself, but was ignorant to the fact that she put herself in danger with it. "You know as well as I do that she is willing to do anything to defeat the Horde..."
"...which is a good point, Anduin, one only you can't tolerate."
"May it be as it is, yet I am afraid of her returning home with all the background she brings with..."
"Everybody is the architect of his own fortune."
But not everybody is as headstrong as you are, Anduin was thinking, trying to go for another approach.
"You do know her mother, Lady Katherine Proudmoore?"
Genn, mumbling, only nodded.
"Then you can guarantee that she will be welcomed with open arms?"
Here, the elder Worgen hesitated answering. "I've heard about some changes in Kul Tiras from Mathias Shaw..."
"So now you do understand why I'm here, pleading for her?"
Genn watched him with raised eyebrows. "And why am I the right person for this?"
The young king granted him a small smile. "Experience and connections?"
He got a snort as an answer. Anduin was well aware that there was still something lost between them that needed to be talked about – but perhaps later. For now, he would be content if he were to make Genn sail over to Kul Tiras.
"I was just informed that a ship of our fleet which was in the technical overhaul left the dry dock today, ready for use again. You can take the 'Flame of Hope' and sail over to Boralus. Grand Admiral Jeres-Teth," - with whom Anduin had earlier had a formal talk about the eight ships that were in pursuit of the one ship of the Zandalari princess - "will accompany you. - Genn?"
The elder man shot a brief look back at him, but finally nodded and stood up. "My king."
Anduin stood up as well trying to find the right words, not wanting to let him go that easily. Was there no way to fix this between them? When the Worgen turned to leave, he stepped in his way. "You still haven't forgiven me for visiting Lady Windrunner."
"No." The response was terse.
Anduin's face betrayed no emotions. "I see."
Genn's hands wandered behind his back. "But I will take care of Jaina."
"For that I'm grateful." Anduin replied and gave way, albeit hesitant.
"I'll find the way to the harbor by myself."
Anduin nodded. "Safe journey."
And Genn passed him by, not looking back. Anduin's eyes followed him until he had left the park and was out of sight, feeling more lonely than before. His look turned towards the tomb of stone at the end of the park. Father, he thought to himself, you never taught me that being king also means to be left behind.
The Warchief of the Horde sneaked in his thoughts. Was leading her faction as lonely as this? In retrospective, him visiting her had caused a lot of trouble. He had achieved next to nothing in their discussion about a truce - the only thing he had was clarity about his father's death. Anduin was strongly convinced it had been worth to try nonetheless, to try to achieve peace and to try for a better understanding between each other. For trust.
It was already late in the afternoon when Anduin finished the official hearing of his citizens and was about to sign the petitions of the day, that Shaw entered.
One look at his face and Anduin knew there weren't good news waiting for him.
"Jaina? Genn?" Were his first questions, but the Spymaster shook his head.
"I just reached news from one of our warfronts. Stromgarde."
"Stromgarde?" Anduin needed a moment to sort his thoughts. Stromgarde served as the Alliance's base of operations to control Arathi Highlands - and reminded him of another crucial event not that long away. By the Light, too many things were happening too fast.
"There was an incident, your majesty."
Shaw wasn't one to hesitate with bad news, so why was he waiting now? Anduin had just signed another petition and was looking up, directly at the spymaster. "Yes?"
With raised eyebrows, Anduin waited patiently.
Shaw inhaled deeply. "You should go look for yourself, your majesty."
