Chapter Seven

Tavin wandered through the long elated lane that lead up to the keep, glancing left and right at each of the statues that he passed. His own statue rested outside the gate that lead back into the Commons of the city, inside however Tavin had six statues erected to honor those most prominent to the building of the city, to the war and everything that had shaped Tavin. He first passed a Horde Grunt and an Alliance Private, the two biggest benefactors to wining the war were the footsoldiers that helped conquer everything through the sweat of their brow, and the strength of their backs. But it also showed that both Horde and Alliance were accepted into the city, and that this was a city were everyone was equal in status and manner. He continued walking, arriving at the middle two statues, one depicting Bolvar Fordragon in his war plates, his enormous shield emblazoned with the Lion of the Alliance, showing his pride and loyalty to the King, of whom he had lived for, and died for. Varian had personally worded the plate that was placed along the base of the statue.

Tavin turned his head now, to the fourth statue. Some had spoken rather against the placement of this statue, but Tavin had insisted it. Arthas gazed down upon the lane, his regality regained and devoid of any Lich King taint. He wore his paladin armor, the Crest of Lordaeron visible on his rank sash that he wore ceremoniously, his war hammer held proudly in his hand. But the astute thing about statue was that it doubled as a hidden tomb, and that inside was Arthas' actual body, something that Tavin had personally wanted. Of course he was the cause of the war, the war machine that had lead to the death's of many and the fall of several kingdoms, but because of it the Horde and Alliance were now on better terms, boys had been transformed into men, and most importantly to Tavin, through Arthas' actions, Tavin was made who he was now. A bitter tradeoff considerably, but in the end, good terms to win upon.

He sighed and walked up the lane further, now stopping at the last two statues, which were, to Tavin, the most important. He looked at the fifth statue, glancing straight into Tirion's eyes, thinking that perhaps he was the only one who could see the wisdom, the caring and the love in the eyes of his former mentor. Tirion had taught Tavin many things throughout his time in the war with him, both physical about the light, and mental about life. Exactly like Arthas' statue, Tirion's doubled as a tomb also, for inside was Tirion's body, which Tavin discovered not at the top of the Frozen Spire, but instead at Uther's Tomb as Tavin traveled there after the battle on the Stratholme Bridge, which was now titled Light's Victory Bridge. He smiled softly at his old mentor, then turned to the final statue.

Tavin's hand grazed his father's statue lightly, admiring it with pride. Tavin had tracked down several of the people that had known Faux before he had been captured, and had it constructed in the manner that modeled it as a younger Faux, in his war armor, his medal's and decorations pinned to his chest, which he had alot of considerably.

"I always thought you over-immortalized me there." A weathered voice spoke up behind Tavin.

Tavin turned around, smiling at his father deeply, whom was dressed in embroidered clothing, a slightly smoking pipe held in one of his hands, a dusty tome in the other. "Your going to shut my dead body in that thing?" he asked, cracking a smile, and leaving Tavin mortified. Tavin stuttered for a response, caught off guard by his father's statement, but Faux only chuckled deeply, his baritone voice rumbling in his chest. He swatted Tavin'sarm with his tome, "I'm only jesting son." he said grinning. "What are you doing out here all by your lonesome? I figured you'd be in the castle plotting against yourself or enjoying time with your wife." he asked, changing the subject. Tavin sighed, "Just taking a gander down the lane, I was hoping to find you by chance actually, I need to spend more time with you father." Tavin said, turning to face Faux.

Faux took a puff of his pipe, blowing out a ring of smoke, a feat he rather enjoyed showing off when he smoked his pipe. He sighed contently, "Longbottom Leaf." he whispered. "You know I'm quite alright spending time reading or studying... I know you have very pressing matters on your hand son, you have a kingdom to operate." he said. Tavin shook his head, "I know, but still... those are not excuses to neglect you father." Tavin said. "There was always so much I wanted to talk to you about... Hopefully once this ordeal is over, I can break away for a day and spend it talking to you." he whispered. Faux smiled deeply and clamped around Tavin's neck and brought his forehead to his. "You always did over-extend yourself son, but then again... I would like that one day." he said, releasing his son's neck.

He beckoned for Tavin to follow, "Come, walk with me.. Ask me a few questions." he said, dropping his tome on his statue, figuring he'd pick it up later. Tavin nodded and followed, and they began walking up one of the set of stairs up to the rampart, where they would have a long way to walk, ensuing much time to talk. Tavin pondered where to begin... "What were you in the war?" he asked, wondering why he had never actually seen his father wear armor, nor a big broadsword like depicted with his statue. His father smiled, "Well, like I always say, the statue over-immortalizes me... I was never a warrior." he said, earning a query look from Tavin. "No... instead your father worked for SI:7 and.." he paused and glanced around making sure no one was in earshot. "and part of the Stormwind Assassins."

Tavin could hardly hide his shock as his jaw dropped, "You?" he asked incredulously. He had always thought his father was a warrior in the war, considering Halford recognized him and fought alongside him, or so he said. Faux however nodded, "Aye, I was part of a clandestine unit within the war, alot of vital attacks actually came from the information my unit provided." he said. Tavin's shock deepened, "So you knew Mathias Shaw?" Tavin asked. Tavin had only worked with the rogue leader of SI:7 on one occasion a few years ago, where he had Shaw's men track down a Scourge Lieutenant still living. But although he had talked to Shaw face to face, he was always hidden and elusive, a chilling air surrounded the man. To learn that his father had been a part of the same organization.. it was rather intriguing, if that was the word.

Faux nodded to Tavin's question, "Aye.. I trained him several times in fact, I worked alongside his Grandmother, Pathonia." Faux said. "In fact, you'd be also surprised to know that Varian was under me for a time there." he said. Tavin raised an eyebrow, "Varian Wyrnn was part of SI:7?" he asked. Faux nodded, "He only went into the field once on a scouting mission, but before long, manhood caught up to the young king and all was forgotten as he now had to become king after his father was murdered." Faux said. Tavin nodded, "And then what of the Assassins?" he asked. SI:7 was secretive within itself, but the Assassin's were a step above them. They didn't have to accord to military rules or ethics of the King. They were freelance, but supposedly worked for the good of Stormwind, despite their more maverick nature. Tavin had seen several of the Assassin's pass into the Stockades back in Stormwind when he was little.. but he knew little of them.

Faux smiled darkly, "Alas, my darkest secret... Aye I was, and technically still am part of the Assassin's, my allegiance to them will never die, but I don't do work for them any longer... I was a First Finger, the highest possible "rank" within their order, where my SI:7 jurisdiction could no longer venture, my mask changed and I became an Assassin." he said. "Did you ever kill anybody?" Tavin asked naively. Faux chuckled, "Well of course son, I've killed many." he said, almost casually. "But it was never in cold blood, no no. The Assassin's always have a reason to kill, no matter how dark or perhaps idiotic it may seem."

"So how would you know another Assassin was amidst you?" Tavin asked. Faux shrugged, "Usually we are so tight knit that we know every man by face, but some times our memory falters, but even then, any trained rogue can sense another of his kind is nearby... Just the way a man walks, positions himself, and looks, can tell me everything I need to know." he said, turning to look at Tavin. "Of course when you wear clothes, I can look at you and see who you are. Broad muscles tell me you do alot of hard labor, rough scarred hands tell me you wield a weapon alot, most likely a sword. Your stance tell's me your used to using either side of your body to attack with. The embroidered clothing tell's me you enjoy dressing nicely."

Tavin raised an eyebrow, and Faux laughed, "It's not to difficult son, just need a critical eye." he said. Tavin nodded and the two began walking again, "So why was I never approached by any member of SI:7 or the Assassin's? Did they know you had a son?" he asked, wondering if his Father had hidden him. Faux nodded, "Aye, it wasn't forbidden by either order to have children, the Assassin's discouraged it slightly, but regardless... And as for why they never approached you was because I requested them not to. Had I said nothing, when you became of age, if you joined the military, Shaw would have met with you, or one of his agents.. and had you not joined the military, a Fourth Finger would have contacted you." he said, glancing at Tavin. "But I didn't want a Rogue's lifestyle for you... I wanted you to become something better than me Tavin, the thing's you've accomplished I never would be able to do, I wanted you to become a respected man Tavin." his father said, smiling softly at him. They stopped and Faux hugged his son, "And yet, you have become so much more." he said. "I am truly proud to call you my Son." he said, releasing Tavin.

"And I am proud to call you my Father." Tavin said. Faux hesitated for a moment, but then smiled, "I am glad to hear... I had hoped you would accept what I am, I just wanted to wait till you were of age to tell you." he said. Tavin nodded, "So where I found you in Naxxramas... how did you arrive there?" Tavin asked. Faux chuckled a bit, "Good business I guess, I was retrieving information on that damnable citadel, when I was flanked and discovered... I could have fought, but they probably would have killed me in the end, so I figured live to fight another day." he said. "Only time in my career I've been captured." he admitted humorously, "Pathonia would have slapped me..." he whispered, carrying off slightly, but he snapped back to Tavin.

By this time, the two had walked all the way around the outside wall of the city, returning to their starting location as the conversation between them had stretched for longer than Tavin had really anticipated. They silently made their way back into the long lane that contained the statues of heroes, and then Faux stopped dead, alarming Tavin as his focus had been elsewhere at the moment.

He glanced to Faux, then followed his gaze to where he was looking, and figured out why Faux had stopped dead in his tracks. Where his tome once lay, on his own statue, it was now across the lane, in front of the gate to the new King's Square, which was normally closed at this time of night.. however, it was now open. The gate took at least four men to open, and Tavin would have noticed or been notified of anything urgent concerning each subsection of the city, and Tavin was aware that Faux knew this too, so to find the gate open... it raised a few warning flags in each of their minds.

"A trap?" Tavin asked considerably, it wouldn't be the first time this month someone had tried to take his life. Faux glanced up for once that night, partial relief entering his eyes as he noticed the moon wasn't full, whether he was looking up at the moon in regards to Tavin, or another entity that might now be within the city... Tavin knew not. Surprisingly he hand't had outbreaks of his curse within awhile, since his capture rather... and honestly, he wished to keep it that way. Still... his city's security was now in question, and thus he had to act.

"Possibly..." Faux said, breaking the silence. While Tavin's hand strayed to his blade, Faux merely kept a calm demeanor, reaching for no weapons at all, but Tavin could sense he had tensed and was balanced on the balls of his feet. They carefully advanced, approaching the gate slowly, and finally reaching the dropped tome. Faux knelt down and gingerly picked it up, finding no imprints, burn marks, nothing on it. They both glanced up from it, and into King's Square, noticing a few lanterns lit in windows, but the Square seemed quiet and uninhabited tonight.. not even a guard patrolled the area. Faux motioned for Tavin to draw his blade, and he did so silently, before they advanced further into the Square.

The layout of the Square, and every other district of the city, was fairly simple, but also, a bit more strategical. The walls branched off from Remembrance Lane in four different directions, forming square districts, two on either side of the Lane, with the Keep and Barrack's at the head of the lane, and the Common's on the entrance side of the Lane, back towards the gate. Houses lined the walls, the roof's below the rampart, which would allow soldier's to jump down upon the roof's, need be. Then, shops, important offices, or important structures formed another ring opposite of the houses, leaving a final square within the middle of said buildings.

Depending on the district, the center was used for different things. Market Square held an enormous outdoor market and auction within the middle, Crusader's Square held a large Light-infused rock with all the names of the fallen from the Scourge war. Charisma Square's center held the Mage's Guild of the area, and finally King's Square held large fountain gifted to him by the Council of Six of Dalaran. The Fountain, through magical means, changed its water's color, often sprung up into odd shapes, and held many coins thrown in with wishes attached to them. They had given Tavin a Gold Ring with a purple stone in the middle, which when he picked up any coin in the fountain, he could hear the wish attached to it.

He and Faux drifted past several of the houses, and Tavin could see Faux's mouth muttering something, but it was incoherent to Tavin's ears, it seemed as if he was counting although. Faint sounds drifted past Tavin's ears, but he paid no heed to them. They found nothing down the avenue of the side of the Square, no wandering Worgen, or lone Assassins... nothing.

"Tavin... I sense death here, It's a presence I haven't felt in a long time.." Faux whispered suddenly. "It's powerful..." he said, sounding cautious. Tavin nodded silently, and they passed past another few houses, before finally something entered their view:

A black figure drifted around the corner, and Tavin recognized the skull adorned armor that was now turned obsidian black, a wicked replica, if that, of Frostmourne placed in it's apparently undefeated owners hand. Arthas looked at them plainly, his pale white hair returned, but his face was more gaunt, it was grayer, his eyes were not very visible, instead they were a bold bright blue. He only smiled wickedly, before his hand snapped up and a bolt of pure white energy shot from his hand.

They both cursed and ducked into the next tier in, rolling to the back of a building, both heaving from the sudden burst of movement.

"Damnit! First Aydeline, next Garrosh, now this bastard?" Tavin whispered, infuriated, allowing his tongue to slip quite a bit. Faux reached inside his embroidered jacket, and pulled out a single iron key. He hopped up and jammed it into the door of the building behind them, and quickly turning it, unlocking it with a rusty click. The randomness of its opening surprised Tavin, but upon Faux's urgent beckoning, they both rushed into the pitch black house.

The door was shut, and all went black, before two hands suddenly grabbed Tavin on either side. He brought his leg around, kicking someone's shin, of which resulted in a sharp, "Damn!" from someone beside Tavin. Before he could maneuver to attack again, a lamp was lit, illuminating everyone's faces. A man with a rugged grey beard glanced at Tavin, a lantern in one hand, a very balanced dagger in his other. On either side of Tavin was an ebony skinned older gentlemen wearing only black trousers with a red sash, much like a monk, and another deeply tanned man with a scar running down his left cheek. The one holding the lantern raised an eyebrow, and glanced back at Faux, whom had a younger man in an armbar, a dagger discarded on the floor.

The two men holding Tavin instantly let go of him, the ebony skinned man rubbing his shin slightly.

"Faux, I hope you have a good explanation." The man with the lantern said, placing it down upon a table whose content's included cards and wooden chips. Apparently, they had interrupted a card game in session.

Faux let the younger man go, and stood up. "Well, Arthas is outside.." Faux said casually, and everyone's head snapped to him. "And the King of the City is in here, two very odd things to be said." the man replied, but he smiled slightly, "Has the guard's been alerted, or anyone else?" he asked, his tone changing from aggravated, to strategic. Tavin sensed a hidden nature around these men.

Faux shook his head, "Only me and Tavin have encountered him." he said. Tavin nodded, "We were wondering why the gate to the Square was open and we found h-" but he stopped midsentance, his left hand snapping to his marriage ring on his right finger. It not only signified his marriage to Aydeline, it also linked him to her, and allowed him to sense her feelings, where she was, and to an extent, if she was in danger.

This extent now triggered, and he could sense she was in some form of danger, obviously the Shade of Arthas.

"He's going after Aydeline." he said quickly.

Faux nodded, "Then we have little time." he said. Each man pulled off their jackets, with the exception of the ebony skinned man, to reveal an extensive harness underneath, holding at least five dagger's each. Faux pulled two from under his arms, "We must move." he said. Tavin nodded and grabbed his sword, and they all departed. Tavin knew not the men's names, nor anything about them, but for some reason, he suspected they were close colleagues of Faux, meaning they were probably Assassin's as well...

They sped out the house, rushing across Remembrance Lane, and into the main Courtyard before the entrance to the keep. The separate rampart's from here, led straight up to the Keep's rampart's, which in turn one led up to Tavin's balcony. From a silent signal, three of the men clambered up the wall with ease, swinging onto the rampart, which was devoid of guard's, a bad sign. Either they were dead, or the shade of Arthas could influence minds, perhaps to make other's walk away.

He hoped for the latter.

Tavin, Faux, and the man who had held the Lantern rushed into the keep, earning alarming look's from the band of Guard's patrolling the inside of the keep. "Lock the gates! Man the walls!" Tavin shouted as he rushed past, if he could trap the shade of Arthas within the keep, thing's would be simpler... he didn't need a riot of panic on his hands from the citizens.

They sped around the throne and back through the open doors into The Strategy Room, which held all the tables, scrolls, and everything needed for the military. Tavin grabbed the wooden oak doors at the back of the room, and swung them open, revealing the entrance to his, and Aydeline's, personal "home".

Tavin's eyes snapped to the balcony, where he found himself looking at his wife fighting the shade of Arthas, one of Tavin's swords already placed in her hand. Arthas' hand snapped back, and he cast a bolt of energy at her, but Aydeline raised a wall of holy energy to counter it, the two meeting with a display of sparks, but dispersing none-the-less.

"ARTHAS!" Tavin roared angrily, charging out onto the balcony. Arthas' whipped around, smiling wickedly, and raising Frostmourne to both Aydeline and Tavin. "I thought I killed you..." Tavin whispered. The smirk remained, and as if on cue, the shadow's swelled and from them, came shadow's of many Scourge, reminiscent of the War.

Tavin stepped back a bit, with these many Scourge, or rather shadows of the Scourge, Tavin and Aydeline couldn't take them, and Arthas. But he had completely forgotten about his father and his "friends." As the three hoped over the wall, taking a few Scourge with them, their dagger's a blur of speed.

Faux rushed past Tavin, embracing a few Scourge himself, "Take Arthas son! We'll handle these beasts."

Tavin nodded, and focused back on Arthas, who, interestingly enough, hadn't said a word.

Tavin took no time to exchange pleasantries, and swung at him, Frostmourne instantly snapping up and meeting the Ashbringer head on, exactly the way it had been a decade ago. Tavin growled and twisted around, weaving his old combat forms with several new he had learned over the years. Still, it was equal for Arthas, as he blocked Tavin and Aydeline's advance's with ease, their blades a blur of steel.

Arthas, however, was stronger. Stronger than he was years ago, and stronger than the other shades Tavin had faced already. Although Faux and the other's were almost done dispatching the Scourge, the fight against the shade was only beginning... Tavin exhaled deeply and moved forward again, trying to advance on Arthas ground a bit, using alot of aggression in his attacks, using more a Warrior's form, than a conservative Paladin's form.

Arthas brought Frostmourne across, down, up, and all over in a blur of blue steel, as he parried Tavin's every move, yet again, his lightning speed actually allowing him to bat Frostmourne around and score a razor thin cut on Tavin's upper thigh.

Tavin grunted and ignored the searing pain, like before, and continued attacking, and at this time, the other's had joined in, now seven against one. In unison, three of the Rogue's dove at Arthas' flanks, aiming for his legs, but he jumped back and clove Frostmourne around, scoring gash's along their legs, torso's and arms, sending them back to the ground also with the shear force of the swing. Tavin grimaced as the odd's were getting worse.

The Lantern Man and Faux, in unison, cut at his legs and torso, one ducking low, one soaring high, in an amazing feat of tempo and timing, and they were joined by Aydeline and Tavin who dove for the flanks. Through this, the four began trading blows with Arthas, back and forth, driving him back slowly, but surely, but he still allowed no attacks to be scored on himself.

Arthas sudden kicked out, knocking the Lantern man back and on his back, then using the forward force and leverage to drive him forward, his shoulder slamming into Tavin, the very tip of his shoulder driving into Tavin's face. Tavin reeled back in pain, feeling blood pour down his face from his now broken nose.

Faux and Aydeline tried to advance, but he only uppercut with Frostmourne, slicing Aydeline across the thigh's, staining her white nightgown red, and cutting up a slit along the bottom of it. As she went to move, the open in the dress caught on the bottom of her knee's, and tripped her up, and brought her down to her knees; a perfect target for him.

Arthas brought his leg around, clipping Aydeline perfectly under the jaw, actually lifting her into the air, before slamming her back into the ground, now unconscious. Tavin recovered slightly, and, driven by anger, roared and swung at Arthas, feeling his Worgen side rising a bit. He struggled to contain it as he and Faux began trading more blows with Arthas.

It did little avail, and midway through a swing, Tavin caught the blunt end of the Frostmourne and was knocked back a bit, and while staggering back, he knocked over one of the brazier's illuminating the rampart, spilling hot burning coals' along their path. He moved to recover, but before he could, Faux stepped in.

He brought his palms out, then back in, setting into a martial artist's stance, before spinning around and kicking out at Arthas. Instantly, the flames from the coals seemed to obey his movements, and shot out at Arthas, slamming into his chest and burning his upper torso. Arthas roared in anguish, and glanced down, but only to realize, it was a distraction.

His head snapped up, and right on time as Faux whipped his dagger up, balanced it, and chucked it. The spinning arc of steel crossed the distance between them in no time, and the tip of the blade buried itself into Arthas' left eye. He cried in agony, clutching his eye, and Faux charged forward, driving his remaining blade into Arthas' side, twisting it, then running it up his midsection... a rather gruesome attack.

Arthas gasped in pain and his eyes went wide, his body beginning to turn back into ash. As he died away, again, Faux whispered one thing in his ear, "You will never kill, the Wilhelm's." he said, realeasing his body, and allowing it to be turned to ash.

Tavin picked Aydeline up, while the other's recovered, and Faux turned to his Son. He nodded approvingly, "We did it soon." he said, smiling. Tavin smiled, but raised an eyebrow, "Since when can you do magic?" he asked, seeing how his father had casted a fireball at Arthas. Faux shook his head wearily, "I'll tell you another time Son." He then turned his head to the other's, specifically lantern man. "Tavin, meet Halt." he pointed to the man Tavin had called lantern man. He pointed to the ebony skinned man, "Jessie." he pointed to the scarred man, "Estabon." and finally the younger man, "Arby." he explained. "These, are the men from my former unit." he said, "Also First Finger Assassin's, if the question arises." Faux added with a query smile.

Tavin nodded, his smile probably a bit bloody from his broken nose.

Halt smiled, "The Wilhelm family contain's the finest people I know." he said, "I was honored to serve with your father." Faux grinned, "Interesting times, when we were younger..." he whispered, but looked back up to Tavin. "We'll take our leave, I'll check on the guards and everything... hopefully no one noticed us." he said, glancing out over the City, which was still silent as its residents slept peacefully, or so Tavin hoped.

Tavin nodded, and the five became shadows and melded back into the City, leaving Aydeline and Tavin on the wall. Aydeline grabbed his arm, and gingerly placed a a few fingers on his nose, earning a small spike of pain. Her hands briefly glowed gold, and a warming sensation spread across his nose, before it was renewed and fixed. He smiled and swiftly healed the cuts along her thighs, before sighing deeply.

Tavin collapsed on the ground, laying down upon it, resting against the rampart railing. Aydeline lay next to him, feeling his exhaustion as well, the fight had well extended their energy. "I haven't been this strained and exhausted since our raids during the war." Aydeline said, smiling slightly. Tavin nodded, "I wonder what this shade represented." he wondered aloud. Aydeline shrugged, "I think revenge... He came for me and you, and we were the one's who contributed most to his downfall, apart from Tirion, and also, killed him." she explained. Tavin nodded, "That would make sense..." he whispered.

"Do you know what you earned from this?" she said, referring to Greymane's words, of which Tavin had told her. Tavin shrugged, "I think a better relationship and understanding of my father, but then again, I don't know fully." he said. Aydeline nodded, "I wonder what the next, and hopefully final shade will be?" she asked.

Tavin sighed, "Don't know.. but I fear this time... The shade will be me."