Jaina had been so kind as to provide a portal to Stormwind when Gylledra and her companions departed. Once on the other side, Vorna looked shaken, but at least this time she managed to stay on her feet, still breathing hard, though. She gave a nod though, indicating she was alright at least. They'd come out just a short way from the main gates of the city. Nasorya looked tempted to mock her but somehow managed to reign herself in for once. The girl hadbeen through a lot in the last few weeks.

"What is the plan in Stormwind?" Vorna asked.

"Well, my plan is irrelevant, all you need to be concerned with is that Lieutenant Croy is meeting us up ahead and you will go with him to begin your actual training in the Badlands." Gylledra explained.

"The Badlands? That's a wretched desert…"

"It is, indeed, and it's also somewhere no one pays attention to whether or not there is a secret training camp."

"Ah." Vorna grimaced.

"You signed up for this…" Gylledra started.

"Yes, of course…I know that. I'm not complaining…just…preparing myself for what I imagine will be several very long weeks of great unpleasantness."

"That's the spirit!" Nasorya clapped her on the back with exaggerated cheerfulness.

Andreus Croy took Vorna and off they went so she could become better acquainted with what it meant to be Nameless. Gylledra was certain that the girl would be cursing her name before long, they all did at first, though rarely ever within earshot of a superior.

It was interesting to see a human city of Stormwind's size since Gylledra had only seen small towns and villages before then. For the most part, no one gave her a second glance as she wandered the streets and marketplaces, Nasorya at her side providing her usual unending spew of commentary. Gylledra did, of course catch glimpses of various Nameless as they went about their lives. They all looked quite surprised to see her there but made no fuss. In the shadows, Sirno followed along, the ever watchful bodyguard. Gylledra didn't particularly need protection, she was more than capable of defending herself, what she didneed was to maintain the appearance of normality. Making a scene, should any issues arise, would not do her any good when later she would need to recruit.

It had not taken long before another entity was lurking in the shadows, also following Gylledra; none other than Rell Nightwind, as mistrusting as ever. As she walked, she could sense the cat-and-mouse game the two rogues played with each other. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that Sirno would toy with the night elf mercilessly.

The last stop on her little tour was naturally Stormwind Keep and getting inside unnoticed was simple enough. It was a very pristine place, kept incredibly clean and maintained. Sirno and Rell had disappeared as she neared the Keep and Gylledra wasn't going to speculate as to why. She knew Sirno well enough to make an educated guess.

"Think anyone is home?" Nasorya asked.

"Yes, I imagine Varian and Anduin are both currently in residence considering the concentration of guards around." Gylledra replied.

"I thought there was a lot of them, but wasn't sure if perhaps humans were simply overly cautious because they're small and squish easily."

"That's a plausible theory as well."

The library was expansive and delightfully quiet. Gylledra ran her fingers along the spines of the books, periodically pulling out a book and flipping through it before replacing it. Varian was definitely at the keep, not out and about dealing with whatever kingly responsibilities he had. The significantly larger number of guards also meant Anduin was very nearby. His father was extremely protective of him.

"Gylledra?" A young male voice said, echoing in the silence. She looked up, smiling at the prince and put back the book she had been scanning through. Behind her, Nasorya was sprawled on a bench, holding a book up over her face, reading.

"Hello, Anduin." Gylledra greeted. He looked surprised, but not unpleasantly so at least.

"What are you doing here?"

"Visiting." She replied, cryptically.

"Where are my manners…welcome to Stormwind, I assume you haven't been here before?" he came forward, shoulders back, gangly in his adolescence.

"Thank you…and you are correct, I have not had cause before to visit your city. How were things under the tutelage of Velen?"

"Educational." He smiled. "He has much yet to teach me."

"I imagine so." Gylledra was about to ask him something else when a booming voice called for Anduin. His father came around the end of the shelf and halted, surprised to see her there with the prince.

"Gylledra." He blinked. "What are you doing here?" She grinned then.

"Like father like son." She chuckled. "I've never been to Stormwind, so I thought I would come see it for myself."

"Anduin…" Varian started.

"I met Gylledra in Darnassus, father." The prince told him quickly. "She was speaking with Velen and he introduced her to me."

"I see…well, I invite you as our guest, then, Gylledra." He looked behind her. "And your…associate. You are welcome to roam the keep as you will, and I would ask that you dine with us if you wish." It was obvious that the king still had no idea what to make of her, knowing what he did about her.

"Thank you, I would be happy to. There is much I would like to discuss."

"I bet." The grumpy king muttered. He made a gesture and a servant seemed to appear from some hidden location, ready as ever to serve his lord and master. "See to it Lady Alenos and her traveling companion are given rooms befitting personal guests of mine."

"Yes, sire." The young man bowed. "Lady Alenos. Madam. If you would please follow me, I will direct you to where you may freshen up and rest before dinner."

"Dinner is in an hour." Varian added, watching her with a carefully guarded expression.

"I will see the two of you then." She smiled and followed the now-silent servant. Nasorya hopped to her feet and shoved the book she'd been reading into Varian's hands before coming along.

They were led through several winding halls and staircases before their guide opened an ornate wooden door. The king had assigned Gylledra and Nasorya an actual suite of rooms, to her surprise. She'd been expecting something simple and ordinary, considering the chilly interactions they'd had so far. There was a sitting room with a fireplace and shelves of books, a bath chamber and water closet, and of course a rather luxurious bedroom with another adjoining from the sitting room.

"Impressive." Nasorya murmured.

"Someone will come get you for dinner if you wish, my ladies." The servant told them.

"Yes, that would be good, thank you." Gylledra told him, and with a bow he left the room. Less than a minute later, the door opened again and Sirno slipped in. Nasorya gave a laugh.

"Varian would shit if he knew how easily an orc got into his palace."

"His guards aren't half as observant as they think they are." Sirno replied.

"How did you shake off Rell?" Gylledra asked.

"Oh, he won't be bothering you for a while I think." The orc grinned and it was hard to tell if it was menacing or not, as menacing was her natural state.

"What did you do?" She frowned.

"Nothing bad." Sirno gave a shrug and Gylledra narrowed her eyes. "He's not injured…and actually it was a good time. Night elves are…surprising." That lascivious smirk she gave said it all.

"He hates himself now, doesn't he?"

"Yes, probably." At that, Nasorya gave Sirno a high-five.

Varian was not particularly disappointed when Gylledra arrived to dinner without Nasorya in tow. She hadn't really wanted to come and Gylledra knew it would be undue antagonism when she needed to be on good terms with the human king andhis kingdom.

"The last time we spoke, you were on your way to sort out a…matter." Varian started. "How was that handled?" She wondered if he'd dance around being direct in an attempt to spare his son the gory details, so she decided to notspare any details.

"I went to the village where I tried the accused then publically burned the guilty." She replied, taking a bite. Anduin gasped and inhaled a piece of food, coughing suddenly. His father glanced at him but largely was unmoved as the boy cleared his throat, just looking a little shocked. "I compensated the victims as best I was able and they were satisfied by the justice they saw."

"Burning people alive is justice?" Anduin interjected before his father could. Interestingly, Varian gave a wave and all the servants vanished, making their conversation truly private.

"I have a very particular set of rules that those who serve me are to abide by. They are not complicated or difficult to successfully obey. Fifteen of my people flouted their responsibilities and then broke the oaths they swore." She told him. Varian watched, interested, likely enjoying that he wasn't the one his Light-touting son wasn't grilling for once.

"Are your rules so rigid that fifteenpeople deserved to die?"

"They were guilty of assault, theft, rape, and murder. They terrorized a human village out of greed. They had sworn to uphold and protect all life on Azeroth, to fight against any force that would seek to harm this world and the people in it. Instead, they chose to do the exact opposite, despite swearing on their lives not to." Gylledra explained.

"So you killed them? True their offenses were heinous but…was there no other option? Was there not some prison they could have been put in?"

"Young prince, this world has been shattered and is scrambling to put itself back together. It is imperative that every resource go toward aiding the innocentpeople. You would take from them to keep murderers alive?" She watched him closely and to her surprise, Varian seemed intrigued by the exchange, dark as the topic was. "I did not enjoy executing them, it brought me no pleasure. In times of crisis, the good of the people should lie at the center of decisions. That means making difficult choices and doing things that under other circumstances might be dealt with differently."

"It is just…you seem to be unaffected by their deaths." His shoulders slumped a little.

"I was deeply affected, Anduin, do not doubt that. Every life taken means something."

"What of their families? What did you tell them?"

"I notified them of the deaths and as agreed when the oaths were sworn, I ensured they would live comfortably."

"Oh." The boy looked surprised. "So…their families did not suffer?"

"Of course not."

"I think then I can at least understand your perspective, even if it is different from my own."

"It sounds to me like everything was well-handled." Varian finally joined the conversation. "I imagine there will not be such mishaps in the future?"

"I hope not." Gylledra replied. "It is unlikely, I think, since they know for certain that I follow through."

"What is it you do?" Anduin asked. She glanced at Varian who gave a subtle nod. So, she would reveal the truth to an adolescent prince. He at least seemed to have a good head on his shoulders so she let out a long breath.

"Do you know of the Nameless Army?"

"I have heard some…they held back the scourge to allow troops to get into Ice Crown, and they have helped many of the victims of the cataclysm, yes?"

"That is correct." She gave a nod. "I am their General." Anduin's jaw dropped open in a very un-princely way.

"I didn't know…"

"No one does, Anduin." Varian told him. "It is very privileged knowledge."

"I understand, father. Thank you for trusting us, Gylledra." The prince smiled, his face composed again and she gave a nod.

"Our efforts are ongoing, I have stationed some soldiers at the various locations where the elemental unrest is at the greatest risk to civilians." Gylledra aimlessly pushed her food around her plate as she thought about it. "I would aid in other ways, but we are spread out across all of Azeroth as it is. At this juncture it is most important to me to help those not at the forefront of the minds of the leaders."

"Are you implying I do not think of my people first and foremost?" Varian frowned suddenly.

"I'm not implying anything. It is a fact that the leaders of the major factions of this world are more greatly concerned with snuffing out the threat that is harming their people, as well they all should. It was not a criticism."

"I will do anything to save my people suffering." The king's frown didn't abate, even if his tone had and she nodded.

"Of that I have no doubt, Varian. Your people are fortunate to have a king who cares, I have seen many kingdoms that were not so lucky." She smiled.

The dinner conversation had steered in a safer, more neutral direction as they talked instead about military strategy. The king, as a warrior, had a lot of thoughts on the matter and couldn't refute Gylledra's millennia of experience. All in all she thought it was a successful exchange that helped build a relationship between her and Stormwind.

Afterward, as she wandered the expansive palace corridors, it was Anduin who seemed to materialize beside her, smiling. He was very young, but she could see in him a wisdom beyond his age. He was very different from his father, something she imagined was a point of contention between them.

"How are you, Anduin?" She asked.

"I am well." He gave a polite smile. "I didn't know that you and my father had met."

"Yes, in Darnassus. I met him much as I had you, by chance." Gylledra explained. The young prince gestured to a bench at the side of the hallway and they sat.

"I find it curious that you do not seem twisted and tainted by the shadow." Anduin began without any real preamble. It would serve him well, she thought, to not be a leader that beat around the bush before getting to the point.

"I suppose it is a matter of coexisting with it in a way, but also bending it to my will as it does not corrupt me. The fel, no matter how forced upon me it was also never took hold and I was forced to imbibe it in the form of demon's blood, I had fel shards shoved beneath my skin, only to have my body reject them and push them back out again. I have no secret to my power over it, it isn't something even I understand entirely, it is why I do not teach what I practice."

"How…how was the fel forced upon you?" His eyes were wide.

"The Legion is a very ugly thing, Anduin, are you sure you want me to share with you the nature of its horror?" Gylledra arched one brow and he nodded.

"My father usually prefers me safely away from terrible things and knowledge, despite his wish for me to be stronger and more like him." He looked down at his knees. "I will not be like him, and while I accept it, he still struggles." His bright blue eyes met her gaze again. "How can I ever be a good king someday if I don't know how horrible the world can be?"

"That is a fair point. As a father I'm sure he seeks to save you from suffering, or from truths that might darken your heart. What I see that he does not, is that your heart bears the light and cannot be darkened as he fears, whatever knowledge you may come by."

"Thank you for that." He smiled genuinely then. "What is the worst thing you have seen or endured? If I may ask…on this world or any other. The torture you received at the hands of the Legion?" Gylledra's brows arched high as she regarded the boy. She hoped to see him as king one day, Azeroth would be well served by someone who sought peace through the darkness of reality.

"The worst thing I have ever experienced was on this world. It was when I came face to face with an Old God." The memory and subsequent events were something she had spoken of only to Varok. The shock on Anduin's face spoke volumes. "I'm sure you've heard of the war in Silithus."

"Ahn'Qiraj, yes."

"I found my way to C'Thun, I could hear it calling across all things shadow and well, I had never been face to face with one of its kind before. It assumed it had control over me because I use the shadow, and I didn't say otherwise." Gylledra stared into space for a long moment. "As though to test me, it showed me a thousand different ways everything I cared about would be destroyed. When I did not react, despite the very essence of myself feeling shredded and screaming, it truly believed me to be powerless to resist suggestion, it expected me to obey its orders to ensure any who came to fight would be destroyed. It was the first time I had ever heard whispers from the Void, all the things that had sought to tempt me and twist me for so long thought they'd gained a foothold in my mind." It felt strange to talk about, but the boy had a calming way about him. "It promised me power in exchange for my complicity in destroying its enemies. I asked then how I could serve to the best of my ability if I was not granted such a boon up front."

"And it believed you?" Anduin's voice was barely above a whisper.

"It is easy to deceive something that believes itself all powerful, that believes it has done everything to ensure victory. Arrogance is often the greatest weakness of any powerful being." She told him with a mirthless laugh. "So, it agreed and gave me access to power unlike anything I had ever even imagined to exist. I could easily see myself holding dominion over countless realms with what I had been given, but that wasn't what I wanted and instead I used it to place within C'Thun a festering arcane wound, a void-consuming infection made from the very energy that shaped this world. I left it there screaming and furious as it told me I would succumb to the power it gave me, so I gave it back."

"Gave it back?" Anduin gasped.

"Well, in a way, yes. I gated myself off from its use, it was too much, too tempting, too volatile. It was much more than any individual from any corporeal race should have. I am confident enough in what I can do. The harm it did still lingers, the horrors I was forced to envision myself taking part in have not left me. Nightmares come and go and when things are the darkest, I am reminded that there is but one barrier between me and that power, but I will not become the next Old God. I don't desire power over nations, only victory over the Legion."

"That's all well and good, but what truly exists to keep you from giving in to that temptation?" He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

"Much less than I would prefer."

"And this all is just knownby your people?"

"A grand total of two people know it now. My mate, and now you." She replied. "It is dangerous knowledge, not something I would reveal to anyone I thought capable of growing power-hungry."

"I appreciate that you think so highly of me."

"Well, you can rest assured, as I have told others, should you become a leader that brings danger to this world, I will unseat you without a second thought." She gave a shrug as the boy's eyes bugged out.

"I am sure such a promise will keep many in line."

"That is my hope."

The stone on the message box glinted a little when Gylledra returned to her rooms and she felt a little flutter in her gut. Varok had sent her something. She didn't know or care what Nasorya and Sirno were up to, likely some sort of trouble-making as they could be counted on for little else in such cases. It had taken very little time to port Sirno to and from Warsong Hold to deliver her gift to Varok, she truthfully could have delivered it herself, but she didn't think having so much time face to face so soon would be good for her self-control. Inside the box was a couple sheets of folded parchment which she took before kicking the bedchamber door shut and climbed onto her bed. Quickly she shoved off her boots before lying back to read Varok's letter.

Dear Gylledra,

I should thank you first for your willingness to write, and then second for this strange magic box. Just knowing you wish to communicate, by whatever means, eases some of the great darkness that hangs overhead. We have already spoken of regret and apologies, it would not do for me to reiterate it here. I think I've come to loathe this place as much as you ever did while you were here, though now it is much colder than it was. The forges are all extinguished and it seems dark most of the time. Most who remain here are like me, content to be away from the freely flowing blood, though there are arrivals periodically who clearly are sent here as punishment.

I have thought of you every day since you've been gone, and missed you more than my limited Shalassian vocabulary can describe. I could hardly sleep the night by the fireside in Mulgore, for fear of missing a moment of having you in my arms again. No doubt this sounds like terrible poetry written by a half-stupid bard that got stepped on by a kodo. I'm not accustomed to putting things into words.

I presume you are in Stormwind by now, how fares the arrogant human king? He's got a temper, that one. I would advise caution but really he should be the one concerned for his safety should he misstep. Ha! An amusing thought. Anyway, please write soon. I love you.

Yours, ever faithful, Varok

Gylledra grinned like a silly fool and quickly snatched up some paper and a pen.

Varok,

We must come up with a name for your alter-ego, the half-stupid kodo-trodden bard. I'm interested in what other terrible poetry he might spout. My eyes being like starlight or some such thing, perhaps. Remember later when this comes back to haunt you…it is your doing.

Yes, I am in Stormwind. Given a suite and everything. Varian knows my secret, he was rather disconcerted to learn of it, but I trust he can keep it to himself. He couldn't really argue with free assistance for his people after all.

I have missed you too…like…dry earth misses rain? I'm really no better at the poetry.

Love, Gylledra

She stuffed the note into the box and to her surprise only a few moments later, the stone glinted as he replied already. He'd written beneath her reply.

I'll leave the creative naming up to you. As for your poetry, you should be careful, that could be easily misconstrued, as you've basically written that I make you wet.

She gasped and was embarrassed by the giggle that bubbled up inside her, grateful she was alone. With her lower lip between her teeth and grinning, she wrote her response.

Well…it's not incorrect…

Anyway. How about Spud as a name?

Into the box it went, his answer promptly coming back.

No. He may be half stupid, but he is no potato.

How is the forecast? Rain in the near future?

Gylledra made a strangled noise of amusement, trying to keep quiet as she heard movement in the sitting room. Her cheeks almost hurt from grinning.

How about Dorf?

Not sure of the weather just yet…predicting an eventual flood.

She wondered how wise it was to have started this dialogue, and while on one hand she was mildly shocked as the direction it had gone in so quickly, it wasn't a terrible surprise. Since leaving Varok in Thunder Bluff, she'd felt like she was on fire and could hardly keep thoughts of that nature from bombarding her mind constantly.

Fine, Dorf the half-stupid, kodo-trodden bard it is. I regret his existence already!

I shall make certain to plan accordingly for the weather. It grows late and I'd best get some rest before things get out of…hand. Goodnight. I love you.

Her jaw dropped at his bold implication but scribbled her goodnight on a smaller scrap of paper so she could read through their silly messages some more. Her heart was beating faster and she felt strange and giddy, almost as ridiculous as she had felt all those years ago when she first could not keep her eyes from roaming over every bit of Varok. It would be good, once the time came, to have him at her side once more.