Continued Talks

"Send me another one."

All three warlocks began to open up a portal to the twisting nether, summoning a Felguard that began to charge towards the Death Ranger the moment it walked through the portal.

Viraleth was sitting on the side of a balcony, looking down into the mage's quarter and watching as Athrodar took down the Felguard with ease, telling the warlocks to yet again summon another one. "How many more of them are you going to kill?"

"As many as it takes until I get rid of this anger that's building up inside of me." He yelled through gritted teeth, parrying the giant sword from the Felguard before cutting off its arm and plunging his blade deep into its abdomen. As the demon slipped off his blade and hit the floor, Athrodar looked over to the three warlocks. "Again!"

Viraleth shook her head, leaning back against a nearby beam and picking her nails as yet another Felguard came charging through the portal. "There wasn't anything you could do. We walked into an ambush and got away with our lives. It was going to be a difficult task to bring the Scythe back with us."

"I know!" Athrodar yelled, throwing his sword on the floor once he had killed yet another. He glared up at the Dark Ranger who remained calm despite the air getting just a little colder. "That doesn't mean I can't be frustrated with failing to bring it back with us."

The Dark Ranger shrugged her shoulders. "If you say so. Though I don't think this is the best use of your time. Besides, you didn't seem this upset when we were retreating."

Athrodar unsheathed his two long knives, spinning them around in his hands and preparing for the next Felguard. "Next one!" He commanded, having the warlocks summon another demon for him to vent his anger out on. "I didn't seem upset because I didn't have time to reflect."

"And what did you need to reflect on?" She asked, looking at her nails. "From what I could see, it went as well as it ever could. You need to stop beating yourself up about failing the task and just be happy you're still here."

Athrodar placed both long knives on either side of the Felguard's neck, cleaning cutting off his head before plunging them into its back the moment it hit the ground. "It's getting too crowded in here. If you need me, I'll be on the surface."

Viraleth watched him leave the mage's quarter, rolling her eyes before climbing down from the balcony. "Oh yeah, you haven't changed since your days as a Ranger of Silvermoon." She muttered, watching a Forsaken guard pick up Athrodar's weapons and follow him out the quarter as well as several apprentice warlocks cleaning up the dead demons.

As Athrodar made it out the Mage's quarter and was in the middle of Undercity, he was approached by another Dark Ranger, this one being Anya who had returned ahead of the rest of the Forsaken army. "Uh oh. Someone doesn't look to be in a good mood."

Athrodar sighed, looking over his shoulder and towards the Dark Ranger. "What do you want?"

"First of all, I want to see the frown gone and that mischievous smirk you wear so well back." She began to walk around the Death Ranger until she stood in front of him. "I'd also like to know why you're covered in what I can only guess is demon blood."

He looked down at himself, seeing a lot of green and black liquid on his uniform and only just realising how much of a mess he must have made. "Ahh yes. I visited the warlocks in the mage's quarter to vent out my anger."

"I hope we still have some warlocks left..." She muttered, looking him up and down and shaking her head at how much blood he had managed to get on him. "What did you do, take on the burning legion?"

Somehow the comment had made him crack a smile as well as a small chuckle. "I suppose I should probably change out of these. Maybe get a new set of armour for myself."

"Ooo! Maybe then you can show it off to Clea and I. Put on a little show for your two favourite rangers." Before he could even respond, she took hold of his arm and began to drag him towards the armoury. "What are you thinking? Full plate set like your guards or a better ranger attire than whatever that is."

"I'm thinking you've wanted to do this for a worryingly long time."

"Only since we got your guards outfitted. Besides, who doesn't want to help their big brother get a new look?"

Athrodar stopped walking, which in turn made Anya stop. "I'm sorry, big brother?"

She grinned at him. "Well, yeah. You're not exactly a woman, so I can't call you big sister."

"But is there a need to call me big brother? We're not exactly related. In any way."

Anya looked down at the ground, thinking about his question. "Hmm... There's not really a reason why, unless it annoys you?"

"And if it does annoy me?"

Anya grinned mischievously at him. "Then I will forever call you it until I get tired."

Athrodar rolled his eyes. "No surprise there."

The Dark Ranger began to pull on his arm again. "Come on! Let's get you out of those old rags and into some new armour. Something befitting of your role."

Being dragged through half of Undercity, Athrodar found that it was better to just let this happen than to create a scene. He figured that if the people of Undercity could see that one of the Dark Rangers were fine with having him around, they could be persuaded into accepting him as well. "Where are we going exactly?" He asked, being dragged past the armoury.

"The tailor and leather worker first. I presume you want the Dark Ranger attire as a base set, then we work from there." She glanced back at him and smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to you. The Dark Lady would have my head if you got hurt on my watch."

Athrodar raised an eyebrow. "On your watch? I thought you were taking me to get new armour."

She nodded. "I am. But that doesn't mean I'm not watching over you." She smirked. "Like a good big sister should."

Athrodar sighed. "How can I be your big brother if your my big sister?"

She stopped walking, realising she didn't have a good answer to that. "Okay fine... I'm your little sister." She began to pull on his arm again, dragging him towards the tailor. "Now come on! Let's get you a new set of armour!"

Athrodar stood on a box for a couple of hours, being told to not move an inch the whole time and finding it easier than he first thought due to being undead. The lack of breathing coming into play as he stood statue like on the box. Anya had stayed there with him, offering up suggestions on what they could add to the armour as well as distracting Athrodar so he wasn't bored the whole time.

Athrodar looked down at his chest, feeling a little unprotected for someone who is on the front lines. "How about some elven plate on the chest and shoulders? It's light but tough."

Anya raised an eyebrow at his request. "That would mean going to Silvermoon. And I got a feeling it would be tough negotiating with them, considering your abysmal relationship with one of their Grand Magister's and his family."

The Death Knight sighed. "That's a good point."

"Athrodar."

Both Anya and Athrodar looked towards the entrance of the makeshift tailoring store, seeing Viraleth standing there. "Yes?"

The Dark Ranger looked him up and down, suppressing a smile when she saw two Forsaken tailors measuring him from head to toe. "The Queen has requested your presence in the throne room. It's nothing urgent, but the Dark Lady would like you there sooner than later."

Athrodar looked down at the two Forsaken measuring his arms that he held out wide. "I think I can be there in a few minutes. If they've finished by then."

One of the tailors nodded, shuffling away from Death Knight and returning to his fabrics. At first Athrodar thought he had been reborn too hastily and only retained half of his movement. It was only when Anya had told him of the tailor's age before he died did Athrodar realise he was probably one of the oldest in Undercity, except for the Dark Rangers. "We've got the measurements, Lord Athrodar. We will send for you once it's done."

Viraleth raised an eyebrow when the Death Ranger made his way towards the exit of the building. "Lord Athrodar?"

He sighed, shaking his head. "Anya got to him before I could. So now I'm a Lord to them."

Anya grinned, pushing Athrodar out the tailoring shop. "It's because it annoys him. If it didn't, I wouldn't go around telling people to call him Lord."

Ignoring Anya for the time being, he turned his attention to Viraleth who was leading them towards the throne room. "Did she say what it was about?"

Viraleth shook her head, taking a right down the corridor that would lead them to the throne room. "She only said that she wants to continue that talk you were having in Northrend." She shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever that was."

"Can I tell her about the fashion show?"

Viraleth stopped walking, bracing herself for the Dark Ranger behind her when she walked into her back. "The what?"

Anya rubbed her head, glaring at the back of Viraleth. "Nothing." She said through gritted teeth, pushing past the Dark Ranger who had constantly done this in the past.

Athrodar watched Anya storm down the corridor and towards the throne room, glancing over to Viraleth and seeing a small grin play on her face. "So out of all the times you want to show any emotion, it's when you upset her?"

Viraleth scoffed, continuing to walk towards the throne room."Please... she's not upset. She just acts up because our Ranger-General lets her get away with everything. When she gets annoying, just make sure she's following you closely behind, so you can stop walking suddenly and make her bump into you." She smirked. "For some reason it annoys her. So I make sure to do it whenever possible."

"Does that annoy you? That she's close enough to Clea that she gets away with anything?"

"Of course not." She replied, pushing open the doors to the throne room. "Although she does get away with everything, I respect her because she outranks me." She smirked a little, quickly returning to a neutral expression when she realised she was doing it. "I just know how to push her buttons."

"One of them being stopping just in front of her so she walks into you?" Athrodar asked, holding open the throne room door to let one of the Forsaken citizens out.

"Apparently so." Viraleth responded, looking left and towards Sylvanas who was talking to Ambassador Sunsorrow, a Blood Elf diplomat that had been sent to Undercity when they joined the Horde as a way of communicating between both Undercity and Silvermoon. "The Dark Lady will finish talks with Sunsorrow any moment now, then she will want to talk to you."

Athrodar's mouth twitched as a smile tried to break through. "Let me guess, everyone will be ordered out of the throne room?" He looked down at the Dark Ranger for her response.

She shook her head. "It's busy today. I should think you will talk between citizens."

"Busy?" He asked, looking down the empty corridor. "This is the quietest I've seen it in a while."

"That's because it's the dead hour, if you'd allow that turn of phrase." She looked up at him. "During this time, everybody is busy with their own lives and don't bother the Queen and her advisors."

"Apart from the handful in here now."

Viraleth nodded. "That's what I'm saying. Nobody is normally here at this time. So when there are concerns to be addressed now, we know to brace ourselves for a long day or two."

Athrodar raised an eyebrow at her, catching a glimpse of the Blood Elf Ambassador walking away from Sylvanas. "It takes longer than a day to talk to everyone?"

Viraleth patted him on the arm. "You have a lot to learn about this place." She nodded over to Sylvanas who sat on her throne, waiting for Athrodar to make his way over to her. "I believe the Dark Lady is waiting."

Sylvanas watched Athrodar make his way around the dais and towards the steps leading to her, giving Viraleth a slight nod and receiving one return before watching her chief scout leave the room. "What's this I hear about you cutting down several demons in my city?" She asked the Death Ranger when he stood close enough to her.

"Which one of the warlocks ratted me out?"

She beckoned him closer, not wanting others to hear their conversation. When he was crouched by her side, she leaned in closer to him. "You seem to forget I put a Dark Ranger in your group. One that is very loyal to me and is my chief scout."

Athrodar smirked at her. "Let me guess, what she sees, you see?"

"Very good." She said, patting him on the cheek. "You're not as block headed as those other Death Knights." Her gaze moved from him and towards her left, watching her advisors listen to the problems her Forsaken were giving them, turning her attention back to Athrodar when she figured they still have time to talk before being interrupted. "So about that Blood-Queen of yours."

Athrodar lowered his head, letting out a small laugh. "Ah yes. The talk we had in Icecrown. Look, I shouldn't have brought all that stuff up. I can't imagine anyone wanting to know what the Scourge were up to outside of wiping out civilisations in Northrend."

"Now hold on." She said, placing a fist under his chin and lifting his head up to look at her. "I never said I didn't want to know about that part of your life. In fact I found it interesting."

He frowned at her. "Why?"

"I suppose it's because you don't talk about your past. At all." She placed a hand over his mouth when he was about to speak. "I meant the part you do remember. The seven year gap between becoming an assassin and joining my Forsaken is still a long enough time to have some interesting stories."

When her hand was removed, Athrodar began to speak once more. "But why that part of my life? I shouldn't think that would be of interest to you."

"And why not?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because we're not at that stage in our... whatever this is. In fact, I don't think we're even at a stage."

"Who cares about stages?" She asked rhetorically. "From what I could tell, she laid claim to you, now I lay claim to you."

"Oh? You lay claim to me now?" He asked, stopping himself from scoffing at her boldness.

She just smirked at him when he looked away, leaning closer to him. "You didn't complain when I laid claim to you several times just the other day." She saw him return his attention to her, smirking just that bit wider. "Now, if you won't tell me much more about your time with her, could you at least tell me if you were happy when she brought someone else to join in your.. fornication."

"We're using words like fornication now?" He shook his head, grinning a little. "I suppose I was, but only because it made her happy. She wasn't difficult to please, but she wasn't easy either." His eyes dropped from her to the floor just in front of them. "I suppose that's why I loved her and why she loved me. I could find that one thing that would make her happy that day, or week, and in return I would be happy because of it."

Not being the answer she was expecting, Sylvanas didn't respond nor try to get his attention for a few minutes, trying to remember a time she had felt like how he described and coming up with nothing. When she saw his attention remain on the patch of floor in front of the pair of them, she figured he was replaying the fond memories he had of the Blood-Queen. "I'm sorry for your loss." She said, seeing him smile a little. "It sounds like she meant a lot to you."

"Please. We knew each other for a year before the Northrend campaign started. Not enough time to truly get to know someone." His attention returned to the Banshee Queen, seeing her pull back a little and knowing she understood what he was getting at. "You know I don't remember our past before the Northrend Campaign, right?"

She nodded, leaning back in her throne. "I know."

"Good. Because to me, we only met each other a year or two ago and even then we didn't see or speak to each other for most of that time."

She nodded once more, placing a hand over his when it was placed on the arm of her throne. "If that's the case, why did you return to Undercity once Arthas was killed? You could have gone anywhere and we would have remained more or less strangers in your eyes."

He smiled. "Strangers who had... to use your word... fornicated several times in Northrend."

"Oh, so that's why you came back, huh?"

"Ahh see, you misunderstood me. I just meant that we weren't really strangers come the end of the campaign." He placed his free hand over hers, looking past her and towards the advisors who were still sorting out problems and not paying the two of them any attention. "I came back here because I would like us to be more than strangers. And because I felt more at home here than out in the wilds of Azeroth, being pushed away by the living."

She moved her hand from his and placed it on his face. "I too would like us to be more than strangers. Though I have a feeling that will take some time, seeing as your memory isn't the most reliable thing." She smiled at him, moving her hand behind his head and pulling him in close for a kiss, making sure it was quick enough to not draw attention to them. "Though it will have to be our secret. Don't go around telling any more of my Dark Rangers about our time together."

Athrodar tried to feign innocents, though Sylvanas saw right through it. "How did you...?" He sighed. "Viraleth told you, didn't she?"

"She's my Chief Scout for a reason." She removed her hand from behind his head just as the throne room doors opened up and several Forsaken walked through. "Stand up and stay by my side." She told him quietly, shifting her attention to the Forsaken making their way to her and her advisors. "It's going to be a long day."

"And the Queen needs a friendly face nearby to keep her spirits up." He whispered to her as the Forsaken drew ever closer.

"Precisely." She whispered back, bracing herself for the long list of problems she will be getting throughout the day. "The Queen will also reward those who make her happy." She looked up at him as he stood by her throne. "As long as said reward is to my liking."

Athrodar smiled a little. "Understood, my Queen."