Nyte could feel the soft wind on her bare skin as she awoke. She was snuggled under an Embersilk blanket, the sound of the woods bringing her into full consciousness. Caeden, beside her, shifted in his sleep and pulled her closer to his body. Nyte smiled at the comfortable soreness and the memory of last night and snuggled closer to the Paladin. The wind stirred her hair and she shivered. She sat up suddenly, remembering where she was. Caeden sat up beside her, groggy still from sleep.

"What is it?" he asked drowsily.

"We need to get going. Something's…wrong." She said, pushing off the blanket. She was clad in her shirt and breeches and quickly started to don her armor.

Caeden started breaking camp quietly. "Nyte…about last night…"

Nyte cut him off, "We need to get off this road. We need to get to Thalassian pass soon. I can't explain it but we need to move." She softened, "Last night…I don't regret it."


Pulling up his hood, Tristen stepped from the ram and into the warm metallic scented air of Ironforge. He had procured the plate armor of a warrior as his disguise. Shaw had forbidden him from going after Nyte. But Nyte was the closet thing he had to family and he couldn't leave her fate up to chance.

He and Nyte been close over the years. They had been friends, allies, partners and occasionally lovers since she arrived in Stormwind. He had been a thief in Anderhol when the city fell to the undead. Fleeing his home, he came to Stormwind and was recruited by the assassins guild.

Nyte, he knew, was King Teranas's spymaster. He knew she was in Silvermoon when Arthas destroyed the city and managed to escape the destruction in Lordaeron. But he knew little of how she was recruited other then she was in the Violet Hold of Dalaran awaiting execution when Shaw and King Varian recruited her for their own purposes.

She had only spoken of it once. It was during Winter Veil and Nyte had more than her share of Greatfather's Winter Ale. As they had laid tangled in each other, she cried out in Thalassian. After, when asked, she told him of her husband, a Quel'dorei ranger. And his actions and her arrest in Dalaran. After that night, she never spoke of it again. To his knowledge, she also never returned to Silvermoon or Quel'thalas either. Until now.

Once again she was a captive to a situation beyond her control. He worried for her, He was putting his career and possibly his life on the line. But she was his friend. Procuring a ram from the stable master, Tristen headed north towards Arathi and eventually the pass that would take him into Quel'thalas.


They rode in silence. They were nearing Deatholme. The closer they got to Lordaeron, the more closed off she became. Occasionally, he would reach out and take her hand, squeezing it in reassurance.

"You need to return to Silvermoon soon. They will suspect you of helping me." She said, finally breaking the silence.

"Let them." He said sharply, his tone surprising him. "How do you do it?" He asked suddenly.

"Hmm?" Nyte looked over to him confused. Since they broke camp, both had been lost in thier own thoughts.

"Killing. How do you do it?" Caeden asked, quite bluntly. Since Dalaran and his actions there, it had been bothering him.

To his surprise, Nyte laughed harshly. "Do you think that I am an assassin for hire? Killing for coin?"

The tone of her voice was venomous. She was angry at what she obviously felt was an attack on her but also something else. He swore he heard self-hatred in her tone. "I was in Dalaran on orders. You know Lady Proudmore expelled the Sunreavers from the city. For something, they didn't do. I was tasked with getting as many to safety as possible. I saw the Silver Covenant members slaughter the Horde in the city as they were fleeing. I understand killing is necessary. I am not a pacifist but I don't know how people like Aethas can enjoy it."

Nyte was quiet, thinking about his words. "I cannot speak for others and I do not know Aethas well enough to speak for him but killing and death is often a part of duty. But not everyone enjoys it. I am a rogue, a member of SI:7. Sometimes, a lot of times, I kill people in back alleys. Horde and Alliance. I never had enjoyed it.

Caeden reined in his hawkstrider to a halt and turned in the saddle. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he drew her close to him, kissing her passionately.

Nyte was shocked at the emotion in the kiss. He clung to her desperately. She felt herself returning the kiss just as passionately, melting to his touch. He reluctantly broke the kiss, leaning his head against hers.

"I can't chose sides anymore. It's tearing me apart. This whole war. Come with me. We can go to Shattrath. A'dal will accept us. But I can't pretend I enjoy killing just because the other side is Alliance."

Nyte's breath hitched in her throat.


Tristen had ridden hard from Ironforge. By now Shaw would have discovered his letter. Shaw would be furious but if he could return with Nyte, he could be forgiven. Nyte was a valuable asset. If the war in Pandaria was going to get worst, her experience would be needed. His ram was starting to tire but he didn't let it rest. He needed to get to the pass and into the Ghostlands. As he passed next to a rock overhang, the ram reared up, throwing him off to the ground.

Tristen jumped to his feet, weapons at ready. He hadn't heard nor seen his attacker but he knew someone was there. Narrowing his eyes, Tristen searched for the other rogue. He heard a noise and a blur of fabric to his left. He lunged, his daggers meeting empty air as he felt a heavy blow land on the back of his head.

Tristen stumbled to his knees. He threw a handful of dirt in the direction of his opponent.

He didn't see the second blow coming until the dirt rose up to meet his face. A third blow knocked him out cold.


"If you go, you'd be branded a traitor at least and hunted by Hellscream's goon squad at most. That is not a life. To be always on the run. Always watching for assassins ready to take you out." Nyte said sharply, then her voice softened. "Always on the move, always on guard, never really free."

She paused, "Caeden...I..." she didn't know what to say.

Caeden looked away. The hesitation in her voice was enough. He turned away from her and rode on ahead. A soft tug on his cloak caught his attention.

Nyte looked down, her eyes shaded by her hood. "If you wish to leave the Horde, there are other ways. Ways that will let u...you live in peace." Her voice cracked on the last words and Caeden swore he saw unshed tears in her beautiful eyes. "But not until Garrosh Hellscream is gone from the position of Warchief." Her voice had grown hard again.


Erion Shadewhisper laid flat on the rock, watching. He had gotten his orders to keep an eye out for a human agent by the name of Celine. He didn't know her as she rarely traveled to Kalimdor and he to Stormwind. From his orders, her safe arrival in Alliance held lands was high priority.

He watched the human woman ride in silence with the Paladin. She didn't appear to be a captive. In fact, both were dressed alike but one was most definitely a Blood Elf. He continued to watch as the Paladin stopped, then kissed the woman. His brows rose. That was certainly interesting. He watched her body language. Yes most interesting. Shaw would need to know at once.

Erion slid off the rock and hurried to his mount.


Shaw watched as Tristen stirred. Tristen, one of his best agents, had defied him. Shaw knew he would. Just as Shaw would not attempt to try to bring Celine back. He had an agent looking for her now. But he had a lesson he needed to teach Tristen. Celine, was without a doubt, Tristen's biggest weakness.

A boot to the ribs woke Tristen. He jerked away but only was able to move a little before something drew him up short. He looked down at the heavy chains on his hands.

"I really wouldn't," Shaw said dryly.

Tristen groaned hearing his voice. He closed his eyes and waited for the lecture.

"I am disappointed. I gave you a direct order and you disobeyed. You placed two agents in danger. If you were caught, it could escalate an already tense situation."

"We don't leave anyone behind," Tristen said defensively.

"A noble sentiment. I wasn't aware you started following a more nobler cause. Had you joined the Argent Crusade when I wasn't looking?" Shaw's voice was cold.

"Celine is in danger." Tristen retorted. She was most definitely his biggest weakness.

Shaw was infuriated, "You put her in more danger! Lor'themar let her escape. Your actions have been noticed by the Warchief. Do you think for a moment I would leave her there if I thought she would be killed. I was given permission for a rescue. I was. Not you. Consider yourself lucky that I haven't thrown you in the stockades."

"Master Shaw," a voice called. Tristen turned to look at the newcomer. He was a Night Elf.

Shaw looked at Tristen with disgust. "We are not finished," he said as he moved away to speak to the Night Elf.


Caeden could feel the wall between them. Nyte was pushing back. He was serious about leaving the Horde. He wanted the red haired rogue by his side.

Despite what she had said, the previous night had been a mistake. She was scared. He remembered the way her body melted into his, the way her movements matched his. She had a passion he never had seen in other women before.

In the light of the dawn, came the second thoughts. She was frightened by him. He glanced over to her. She rode in silence, looking ahead, her body tense. He started to reach for her hand but stopped. She glanced at him, curious.

Nyte looked at Caeden. She knew she hurt him. He wanted her to come with him to Shattrath. His offer was more than an offer of company. It was deeper. More than anything, she wanted to say yes and fall into his arms but couldn't. She wanted peace – a quiet life.

Her attempts in Alterac didn't bring her what she wanted. She hated herself for the actions she did. Yet Caeden...she did have feelings for him. Last night had not been a mistake. She gave herself to him willingly. He had been a gentle lover and Nyte gladly wished for more.

But running wouldn't bring her the peace she wanted. He stopped as he reached for her. She glanced to him and threaded her fingers in his. "I've been thinking. Jaina was willing to let the Sunreavers remain. Despite the actions of Songweaver. Aethas had been a loyal member of the Kirin-Tor for years. What changed."

"The bell. The Mogu artifact. It was stolen," Caeden answered.

"You said not by the Sunreavers...Aethas, I believe was not behind it. He's loyal to the Kirin Tor and Rommath has demonstrated his loyalty to his people. This actions puts them at harm."

Caeden become uncomfortable. He knew sooner or later she would ask.

"Jaina would only react as she did if the Sunreavers were involved. If someone from inside the Kirin Tor...Caeden..." She looked at him, horror dawning on her face.

Caeden didn't answer. She had connected the clues. He looked away. "It was a Sunreaver mage that opened the portal to Darnassus. And gave me the tag for the bell. Garrosh distrusts Lor'themar. I was ordered to spy on his activities and report back. Jaina was not suppose to be able to track the portal. I used no magic in the city. I was careful. The bell was to be safe from Garrosh. And her. From all that would use it for ill."

Nyte recoiled from him. "You knew why I was here. You knew what I was working towards. The bell was safe. The Alliance leaders, all of them, wanted this peace. Wanted the Sin'dorei as allies."

"All of them? Jaina Proudmoore speaks of peace with hollow words. Since Theramore..." Caeden countered.

"Since her city, her home was destroyed by the cowardly actions of a few that were to be loyal to her. Do you blame her? You were in Dalaran. You saw what your actions caused. There cannot be peace now. Not with this."

"Nyte...I am sorry. I need to atone. I want to atone. Garrosh Hellscream will destroy the Horde" As Nyte drew away, he reached for her.

"No...I am the one that is sorry. For thinking you would be above the trechery of your people. I should have known better than to trust those who steal energy and make pacts with demons."

Her words stung. Caeden stopped dead, taking deep breaths. He spoke quietly, "I think we should part ways. The pass is just ahead. "Shorel'aran Miss Addington," He turned his hawkstrider around.

Nyte refused to turn around, refused to watch him go. She wielded her words as expertly as she wielded her daggers. She rose in silence through the Elfgates, tears stinging her eyes.


Shaw stood at the top of Northpass Tower. He had sent Tristen back to Stormwind in chains. Of course, he would have them removed before he got to the city and nothing more would come of things. He and Renzik would never tell Tristen that. The little Goblin was taking great joy out of teaching Tristen his lesson.

Nyte had been spotted heading south. Alone oddly enough and not in the company of the Blood Elf she was seen with before. The report said he was a Paladin and not a Farstrider. He knew Nyte had no connection with Lady Liadrin. The presence of the Paladin was odd...unless... No, after Sundancer, Nyte wouldn't allow anyone close. Not even Tristen. She had lovers occasionally, but never for long. This was an interesting development.

Within the hour, he saw her approaching on foot. She looked exhausted but unharmed. He approached her as she made her way up to the path that would lead to the main tower.

"Nyte?" Shaw asked concerned. Her head was hung low and she refused to look anyone in the eye.

"Celine" was what she whispered. She nodded her thanks to the Argent Crusade commander as he handed her a bowl of soup. She slunk down onto a cot and just stared ahead with vacant eyes.


From a distance and under the effects of one of his heavy stealth potions, Caeden watched. Nyte had arrived safely at Northpass Tower and was in the care of the Argent Crusade. Soon she would be back in Stormwind and out of his life.

Sighing, he headed south towards Undercity.