Chapter 9

Mathias Shaw sat at his desk, small spectacles perched on his nose. He had taken to wearing reading glasses only recently, he supposed his age was finally starting to catch up with him. Quill in hand, staring at the parchment before him, he pondered what to say exactly in the message he composed.

"Master Shaw?"

Without glancing up from his work, "What can I do for you, Lila?"

The young woman's face appeared to be scowling, but that was just a permanent fixture on her mouth. Red hair cut short and freckles splaying across her slightly upturned nose looked down at the man at the desk.

"I had a question for you, I don't wish to second guess your decisions sir, but..."

"You wish to know why I never gave the signal, why I chose to engage her alone."

She nodded.

Sighing, he placed the quill down and slowly removed and folded the spectacles from his nose. Finally looking up at the girl he spoke, "It was my call, and I made a poor decision. That woman has hurt me personally, and I let my motivations for revenge get the best of me. I was only thinking of myself, not the rest of you, and I'm sorry."

"Sir you really don't need to apologize, we were simply wondering--"

He held up his hand, cutting her off. "Yes, I do. My actions could have put you or one of the other rogues at risk. My pride and eagerness to dole justice out myself clouded my vision, it was a grave mistake. That woman is exceedingly dangerous, the destruction that she could wreck," he shuddered at the thought, "could be catastrophic."

Regarding Lila closely a moment, "She will return to Northrend no doubt, her interference with our agents there will likely continue. We must put a stop to it, our work is too important. That is why," he hesitated, as though he was divulging extremely sensitive information, "we will be assembling a team to go to Northrend and eliminate this threat. I'm going there myself. We cannot let the situation intensify."

Taken aback, the girl insisted, "But sir!"

"Please Lila, it's too important. I must see this through. I'm trusting you to keep this information safe, can you do that for me?"

Closing her mouth, she nodded fervently. He was entrusting her with a secret.

"Of course, Master Shaw." She bowed slightly.

"Good. Please resume your work, I have much preparation to do."

He silently watched her go. Resuming the quill on parchment he wrote a brief message. The gentle words and subtle nuances belied the real weight behind his letter. If he was right about this, he could be putting many lives at risk, including his own, but he needed to convey the magnitude of the real situation.

They were in trouble.

-

Vaedra was disgusted with herself. What was wrong with her? Mathias had practically shoved her out that window himself to save her, yet still she had hesitated, wondering if she could exploit the situation. A better opportunity to complete the mission became available, and she'd actually considered taking it, betraying her friend and mentor's trust while he was risking his own neck to help her. And then after it all she had still returned to Northrend, her only loyalty seeming to lie with the Lich King. Not only did this imprisonment deserve to be her fate, she had earned it. Playing fair wasn't in her vocabulary, being ruthless and cold; she was as bad as him

She looked as battered as she felt, ankle slightly sprained, bruises forming on her jaw and arms, though she smiled weakly at the memory of how she'd gotten them. She knew she couldn't continue as such however, her minor victories were few and far between and he had every advantage. Their games of manipulation seemed never ending, some of it subtle, some blatant, but ultimately she wouldn't be able to last the way she was playing now. He wouldn't be killing her... yet, but making her think he would was almost as effective.

She couldn't keep mentally preparing herself for death, nor was it an acceptable state of mind to be in constantly. He intentionally sent her on an impossible mission just so he could observe her thoughts and actions, and so he could make her anticipate death again. So he would have an excuse to torture her, not that he needed one, but she'd fallen right into it. That's what he had told her, pain first, then death, so naturally she just accepted it when the time came.

Could she be indifferent? Vaedra didn't know. Could she just not care and let it happen whenever it was going to happen? It was a frightening thought. Going down that path only seemed more bleak, further away from her humanity, and moving any more in that direction than she already was terrified her severely.

These questions and more swirled through her brain, including the ones which she'd left him with. At the time she'd only wished to anger him, hoping he'd end his malicious game, but now she found herself seriously considering the answers...

He'd removed his heart, declaring it was the last remnant of his humanity. Was there any part of him left that was still a man?

-

"I'm not sure I can hold here much longer," the lich's image hissed.

The Lich King remarked stoically, "It will be taken care of."

"By your new human pet?" The skeletal apparition cackled back.

Scowling, "She is not your concern."

"Anything that takes up so much of my lord's precious time should be my concern," Kel'thuzad replied, still grinning snidely.

The necromancer was unswervingly loyal to the Lich King. In life he had abandoned a prestigious career and political position within the Kirin Tor to seek out and serve him, and later was raised from the grave as a lich to serve him further in undeath. Arthas himself had been responsible for both the man's death and eventual reincarnation; they became allies, and in a way friends. Though the Lich King shattered alliances and betrayed minions like they were nothing, he held a respect for the former sorcerer. Now he served as the Lich King's obedient lieutenant and guardian of Naxxaramas, though it had been under constant assault from the 7th Legion and the abundance of mercenaries flowing in from the south...

"The 7th Legion is persistent," Kel'thuzad continued, "and if I recall correctly it was your little human rogue herself that dispatched Thel'zan from Wintergarde Keep's catacombs rendering us very much defenseless against their attacks."

"Yes..." the Lich King murmured, looking away from the suspended image. "And so she shall be the one to make the first strike against them. Once they are out of the way we will be free to focus on the Argent Crusade, and the Knights of the Ebon Blade of course..." he chuckled at the thought of setting her loose against Mograine and his death knights.

"What is your interest with this one, my lord?" The lich pressed. "She is human and weak. Talented, yes... but ultimately flawed."

"Her humanity allows her to go places where others cannot. Of course there's a reason for it, have you forgotten the sacred task I charged you with before your death? The Cult of the Damned came about from your humanity, allowed you to manipulate the other weak-minded wretches into my servitude with your empty promises and carefully woven words," the Lich King sneered at his subordinate's image.

"Of course, I have not forgotten," Kel'thuzad replied smoothly, bowing his head slightly. "I do not doubt your methods or intentions, my king. Just call it my undying curiosity... I will keep you updated on our situation here, but before a fortnight is over I hope your pet comes through for us." The lich faded from view, the magic keeping the image stable flickering out.

Fool... the Lich King muttered. What exactly had Kel'thuzad been insinuating? It wasn't as though the human was around for recreation, and his manipulations could take time.

Quietly he slipped into her thoughts...

-

The young girl swung happily from the apple tree overlooking a cozy cottage, colorful flowers and an assortment of fruit-rich plants adorned the yard. Warm and inviting, the house was painted a sunny yellow, resting snugly against a nearby hill. A gray striped tabby snoozed peacefully on the porch, while another orange one amused himself chasing squirrels.

A sweet looking girl: dark hair, a bright smile, and fair skin that made her cheeks look all the more rosy, she couldn't have been older than seven or eight winters. Basking in the warmth of the sun and munching on a cool apple, she relaxed against one of the larger branches, daydreaming of adventures, kittens and whatever else it is little girls think about.

Spotting an apple nearly doubling the size of any others, she squealed happily, plucking it from the branch and jumping down from the tree.

"Gramma! Gramma!" She called, leaping over the sleeping feline and pushing the door in.

The cottage was quiet, the gentle hum of the outdoors the only sound to be heard. Peering around the small living space the girl wondered if her grandmother was napping.

Moving towards the kitchen area her heart stopped when she spotted a crumpled form on the floor. The apple rolled from the girl's hand to the floor, forgotten. Rushing to the elder woman's side she began shaking her shoulders, tears forming in the dark-haired girl's eyes.

"Gramma, wake up!" she cried when her touch failed to rouse the fallen woman. "Please wake up!"

Rising from the floor the girl looked around. Only the two of them lived in the tiny cottage together; she'd only briefly explored the nearby area and didn't know of any neighbors nor knew how to get to Stormwind.

Running outside, the cat darting away from the approaching thunderous feet, the girl emerged through the doorway, her eyes franticly searching.

"Help! Someone help!" She called fruitlessly. Her voice seemed to die in the wind. Glancing up and down the small dirt road that passed by the house she felt despair wash over her. There wasn't a soul in sight.

Defeated, she plopped down on the doorstep, drawing her knees to her chest, and cried. Everyone always seemed to leave her, she was so young and weak there was nothing she could do to protect them...

Looking up a moment later she thought she saw a figure approaching along the road from the south. Quickly wiping her face she sprinted towards the visitor, not knowing or caring who it was.

As they drew closer she waved her arms, crying out, "Please stop! Please help!" A man on horseback riding nearly full speed came into view, black cloak billowing out behind him as he rode. The girl prayed that he would stop.

Seeing the distressed figure of a small girl, the man slowed his horse and stopped alongside her.

"Greetings little one, what can I do for you?"

The girl was awe-struck. The horse was a magnificent black stallion, strong and lean, but the man perched atop it was even more breathtaking. Clad from the neck down in full plate armor, dark and intimidating, he looked to be a warrior or paladin of some kind. He was extremely handsome, but in an odd way. His face was angular and pleasing, no lines marring his youthful skin, but his long hair was strangely white. Impossibly blue eyes peered down at her, and a disgustingly charming smile almost made her forget why she'd stopped him in the first place.

The girl's eyes were wide, tear streaks evident in the dirt upon her face.

"Please sir, you must help my gramma, she won't wake up!" She pleaded, hands clasped in front of her.

The man regarded her a moment, "Indeed? Well let's see what I can do." Sliding gracefully off the horse's back he began to lead it casually towards the cottage, the girl trotting behind.

"Excuse me sir, but are you a paladin?" The girl asked nervously.

He stopped and glanced back over his shoulder at her. "Paladin? Why yes, how very astute of you!" He smiled at her again.

She didn't know what that word meant, but his continuous grin was making her feel strange. She'd been utterly distressed one moment, but became eerily peaceful upon his arrival.

She watched him lead the horse over to the apple tree and stop before it. Lazily reaching up and twisting a single ripe fruit from the branch he took a large bite, juice dribbling down his chin. Closing his eyes and murmuring at the sweetness, he took another bite.

The girl didn't know what to do, he didn't seem to be in any hurry, but he'd said he was a paladin! The stories she'd heard told of their selfless and great deeds, defenders of the Light and all the goodly races who followed it. She didn't want to insult him somehow but her grandmother needed him.

Tugging on his hand gently towards the direction of the house, "Please sir, you must help her, you must make her wake up!"

The man looked down into the golden eyes, tears threatening to spill over, lips quivering.

He nodded, "Very well." Feeding the remainder of the apple to his horse, he knelt down to be at eye level with the girl. A multitude of emotions were apparent on her face: fear, curiosity, trepidation...

"Tell me, little one, what would you do to save your grandmother?"

"Anything!" She blurted out before taking a moment to think. The girl sniffled, "She's all I have left, sir. I-I thought that paladins helped people for free though, I don't have any money..."

He smiled at her again, "Oh no, money is not my concern, my dear. I was thinking more perhaps that you would like to come with me. I am in need of a, hmm, squire?"

Confusion clouded the girl's face. "Squire? I'm not a boy, sir. I don't know... can't I decide after you help her? She might be running out of time!"

The man scowled lightly, "Time does not matter, if she was faithful to the Light than I will be able to sense it, and allow her to return to you. But I was not asking, consider it a trade between you and I. My help for your services, she's worth it to you, isn't she?"

"Of course she is!" The girl cried. "I'll do it, whatever you want, just please!"

Satisfied, the man rose and gestured towards the cottage, "Lead the way." Taking his large hand into her own she led him inside.

He had to stoop slightly to fit inside the tiny cottage door, though he appeared extremely out of place amongst the comfortable furniture and pleasant décor. More than one cat roamed freely about the house, napping in nooks and crannies.

Leading him to the kitchen, the girl gestured inside, unable to bear looking at the form of her fallen grandmother.

The man stepped over the elderly woman's body and knelt down, thoughtfully removing his heavy gloves. He placed his hands on her neck for a moment before removing them and settling on her back.

The girl peeked around the corner to see what he would do. His hands were placed upon her grandmother's back with his eyes closed. She expected to see brilliant radiant light emanate from his hands, or the sounds of the heavens returning her spirit to her body, but there was none of that. Instead a faint crackling of black energy seemed to course from the paladin's person downward into the back of the woman. The girl gasped when the body twitched, then lay still.

Standing and replacing his gloves the man moved back to the girl's side, preparing to escort her out of the cottage. "Let's go, little one, you have training to begin."

"W-what? Wait!" Her eyes glued to the form on the floor. "She hasn't woken up yet, I want to be here when she does so I can say goodbye." She was sniffling again.

"If you insist," the man sighed impatiently. The waited many minutes.

The form twitched again, then stirred a moment later, slowly beginning to rise.

The girl turned and smiled elatedly at the man behind her before rushing over to her grandmother. "Gramma!" Hugging the woman fiercely.

The body grunted, but made no move to hug the girl back. Looking up into the face the girl at first thought that her grandmother was just disoriented, but searching a moment longer showed dead and expressionless eyes.

"Gramma?" She asked again, lip trembling.

The jaw was slack, eyes rolling uselessly back and forth in her head, limbs were like jelly, it was amazing the woman was able to stand.

The girl took a step back. "What's wrong with her?" She cried out, distressed.

The man laughed, "You said to wake her up, so I did."

She didn't know what to think, he would fix her properly right?

The elderly woman's body suddenly began to convulse, limbs flailing, face contorting horribly. A sick crunching sound could be heard as her bones seemingly rearranged themselves. The flesh rotted and fell away before the girl's eyes.

She screamed.

She didn't know how long, but she couldn't tear her eyes away, the sounds ripping from her throat. She felt trapped, on one side was the shattered remains of her beloved grandmother, and on the other was the beautiful stranger who had seemingly made her that way.

"What did you do?! I thought you were a paladin!" The girl screeched, backing into the kitchen wall away from the monstrosity.

The creature's hair had begun to fall out, hands twisting into horrible claws, muscle and bone exposed across the body.

The man laughed again, the cruel sound resonating in the girl's ears. "I was a paladin, little one. Now I'm something else. But I've helped her as promised, awoken her by your request. It's amazing how similar the powers are between the Light and dark, just the application of them that can change things drastically... But now we must go, uphold your end of the bargain."

"No!" She cried. The girl began to run; it was a foolhardy move but she had no where else to go. The man easily plucked her from the ground, turning her to look at the beast he'd created.

"Isn't it magnificent?" He hissed at her, still smirking wickedly.

The girl kicked uselessly in the man's grasp, tears streaming down her face. She had never wanted this, the man had perverted her pure intentions... but she also felt guilt. If she had been more specific maybe this wouldn't have happened, she had let her emotions cloud her judgment, asking vaguely for help and stopping the first person she saw. It was all her fault...

Finally motionless, the creature stood fully transformed into all of it's undead glory. It's master beckoned the thing over.

"NO!" The girl thrashed more wildly, desperate to escape the approaching figure. The man held her tight, he was still laughing!

The beast lurched towards it's master and the girl in his arms, she shrieked until her throat was raw as the creature's fleshy, rotting hands came up to rest on her neck and shoulders...

"No!" Vaedra yelled, corpse-like hands gripping her while she slept...


Author's Note: I apologize that this chapter took a bit longer to update, but I couldn't seem to get it quite right. I hope it doesn't come across as filler, I wanted some important things to happen but still be interesting. More good stuff to come soon though ;)