Finally! the last chapter edited! Now I just need to finish up the newest chapter, and I should post that today too. :)

World of Warcraft belongs to Blizzard Entertainment. Melusina Sunveil, Tai, Feng, Yan-Yu, Dahlia, Sorin, Connor, Harvester, Solarian (good lord, am I missing anyone?) all belong to me.

Chapter Nine: The Deal.

"Looks like the blood's startin' to ease up."

The paladin didn't bother raise his head or give any sign of acknowledging the goblin's words. He simply hung there, his arms bolted to the rock wall of the cave, sweat and blood dripping down his face. The dark cave did nothing to ward off the stifling humidity of Stranglethorn Vale. Narrowing his beady eyes, the goblin gestured to a nearby ogre, who lethargically reached over for the paladin's head.

"I'm still alive." The low growl stopped the ogre's hand in it's tracks.

The goblin crossed his arms over his chest. "Hmmph, well, remember our deal, Solarian. You die, I get all your belongings, not just here, but your estate in Silvermoon as well."

Solarian spat the blood from his mouth before muttering, "Yes, but remember, you're obligated to at least try and keep me alive."

The goblin shrugged and continued, "So as I said, the bleedin's startin' to stop. We're passed the halfway point. You said there would be one more item you would require later on. What is it?"

Solarian raised his eyes from the dirt floor of the cave to look down at the contractor. "Something... something to dim my eyes. I'm going into Alliance territory. I need them to think I'm human."

The goblin quirked an eyebrow at the elf. "That's why you cut the tips of your ears off? And what about this?" He motioned to the iron bands trapping the blood knight's arms to the rock.

Solarian gave a wry smile. "To get used to the withdrawals. When I'm hidden amongst the Alliance fools, I won't be able to siphon magic whenever I please and I won't be able to meditate as often as I do without drawing some attention. Addictions can be... dangerous." He flexed his hand idly.

The goblin was silent for a long time. "Alright... Not to put a damper on your 'master plan' or anything, but I know the Alliance have plenty of high elves. If you needed me to makes something to dim your eyes anyway, why not just disguise yourself as a high elf?"

Solarian didn't answer. The goblin watched as his face twisted from confusion, to realization, then to indignant rage. Suddenly, the elf's foot shot out, kicking the contractor full force, straight out of the small cave. The ogre body guard snored away peacefully, undisturbed as Solarian grumbled to himself darkly. Some people just didn't appreciate dedication.

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"Tai, hunny, what's the matter? Both you and your brother have been in such a slump since you got home yesterday."

The young paladin lifted her head from the table, meeting the concerned eyes of her mother, Yan-Yu. The older woman was where both Tai and Feng got a great deal of their looks, with hair darker than the panthers of Stranglethorn, pulled up into a neat bun and rich brown eyes always seemed to sparkle with mischief. Yan-Yu stepped closer to the table and reached over to brush a strand of hair from Tai's face. The young woman glanced down at the sensation of something cold and wet brushing against her thigh and found her mother's wolf, Shing as he rested his head on her lap, looking up at her with round golden eyes.

It took Tai several moments to find the words, which made her feel odd. She had never been one to be at a loss for words, but this situation with Melu was getting more and more... something. She still wasn't entirely sure what was going on. The only thing she knew for certain was that she was a proud member of the Alliance and Melu was Horde. Therefore this growing concern she had for Melu's safety couldn't be shed in the best light no matter how she tried to spin it.

"It's just... The elf we brought back with us. The prisoner... Melu."

Yan-yu perked up with interest, then gave her daughter a small smile and a knowing look. "I assume Melu is her name?" Tai nodded. "And can I also assume that you asked yourself?" After a brief hesitation, Tai nodded again. "I see... Well, since I'm on an assumption spree, would I also be correct in guessing, that since you asked her name, you also asked her other things, were as friendly to her as you are with any normal person and as a result, have grown attached to her?"

Tai frowned. "Just tell me my life story, why don't ya."

Yan-Yu chuckled. "I'm your mother, I could if you wanted me to," she offered teasingly. The young paladin made a face which the hunter promptly returned before continuing, "So, what exactly has you bummed out about all of this? Your brother- while I have a good idea what it is- I'll get to him later."

Tai thought about it. She remembered watching the blood elf make her way across the Warsong Gulch by nothing less than luck alone. She remembered the way the other blood elf looked at Melu in the beginning, with such high regard, Tai wouldn't have been surprised if he had thrown himself in the line of fire to protect her, and then the utter disgust and disappointment when she failed to meet whatever expectations he had of her. She remembered all of her failed attempts to escape and all the chances that flew right by her, because she simply didn't see them. As a thousand other images floated through her head, Tai finally muttered, "I don't think she should have even been in the Gulch. She's too new. I'd be surprised if she even finished her training."

Yan-Yu tried her best not to give her daughter a look as she said, "You haven't finished your training."

Tai lifted her head and glared at her mother. She knew her mother was only teasing her, but her temper was beginning to flare. "I'm prepared. I have battle experience."

The hunter sat down at the table and raised her hands in surrender. "Ok, ok. So you think she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?" Yan-Yu's brows furrowed as she said, "I know it may seem like she's been unjustly imprisoned, but don't forget, Tai, she's still Horde, while she doesn't deserve what's happening to her, now that Stormwind's inquisitors have her, they aren't just going to let her go."

Tai felt her gut wrench at her mother's words. So she should just give up? That didn't seem right. She was a paladin, a warrior of light and the very image of justice. If she couldn't make her people see how wrong this was, then who could? The king won't listen to anything I have to say, so long as 'mercy' and 'Horde' are in the same sentence. I'm going to need help. Someone much bigger than me.

"Someone with influence..." Tai muttered. Yan-Yu watched her daughter silently, then sighed, seeing the determined look on her face.

"If your father were here, he'd definitely be able to help," the hunter murmured, staring off at nothing with a small wistful smile on her face.

Tai didn't respond. There was nothing appropriate she could really think of to say, since she knew very well that her late father hated the Horde, the Forsaken most of all. She thanked the Light that Feng hadn't been there when their mother decided to take a short trip down memory lane and mention the man. Feng and their father fought almost constantly when he was still alive. Tai remembered when she and her brother were very young, and there had been no fighting, everyone was happy. The day Feng hit puberty everything changed, he constantly argued and rebelled, when their father told him he was to be a paladin, just like all the other eldest children in father's family, Feng simply laughed. The next day he came home and announced he had gone to Old Town to find Lord Tony Romano. He was going to be a rogue. That was the last act of defiance Feng had been able to commit against his father before the paladin was sent to Outland and was killed by Mother Shahraz in the Black Temple.

"So, who should I go to?" Tai asked. While deep down she had severe doubts her plea would be heard by anyone, the thought of not trying at all didn't sit well with her.

Yan-Yu pondered a moment before answering, "Well, why don't you go to the cathedral and ask one of your superiors? Benedictus or Neheri would be the most willing to help, right?"

Tai cursed loudly and quickly received a playful slap on the hand by her mother. Why hadn't she thought of that? Of course that would be the best place to start! Though, if they turned her down, she wasn't really sure where to go to next.

"Thanks Mom! I'm gonna go right now!" The young woman exclaimed excitedly, leaping up from the table. Her mother turned in her seat, barely able to follow Tai's sudden burst of energy.

"Oh, ok! Hey, if you see your brother, tell him I want to talk to him! Or you talk to him! Either way! I don't want him to spend all day moping!" Yan-Yu's voice followed the young paladin onto the cobblestone sidewalk of the park where they lived.

"Ok! I will!" Tai called back over her shoulder. She had a feeling she would be running into him very soon.

Flying through the streets and across the bridges, she didn't realize she was in Cathedral Square until she almost passed the very person she was looking for. Tai exclaimed joyfully, making a beeline for Bishop Neheri who stood casually at the steps of the church, speaking animatedly to a high elf man. Tai's excitement dropped exponentially as she spotted the elf. Each of the elven races held a deep prejudice and utter dislike for one another. If she couldn't somehow talk to Neheri about Melu in private, she had the growing suspicion the high elf would convince the Bishop to disregard Tai's plea. The young woman felt the growing need to stop dead in her tracks and make a hasty retreat. Maybe she could pester Feng to break Melu out of jail? It couldn't be that hard... right? But Tai's feet refused to move any direction but forward and as Neheri and the elf looked up at her in bemusement she knew it was now or never. A girl like Melu wouldn't last much longer in the Stockades.

"Yes?" Neheri ventured, uncertainty coating his eyes as Tai froze in front of the two men. How to begin? She glanced nervously at the elf who caught her look, raising a single brow in reply.

"Well, you see..."

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Feng leaned against a stone pillar, dark eyes watching as guards went in and out of the Stockades. Apparently there had been some sort of riot in the front part of the prison where most of the prisoners were held, and now they were all running amok. Was that the wing Melu was in? Had she already escaped? Or was she in a more isolated ward, where the interrogated Horde were held? Feng wasn't familiar with the layout of the Stockades. He preferred to avoid the place as much as possible, due largely to the fair number of the prisoners he and his sister put there.

He originally intended to just walk through Stormwind, maybe toward Old Town, and clear his head. Feng had too many confusing thoughts and no real answers and it was beginning to frustrate him. Instead, he ended up here, the root of his inner turmoil, and stood watching as the guards and a single young mage ran around like flustered chickens trying to keep the prisoners at bay.

An elderly man came out from his shop for a third time to remind Feng not to loiter and for a third time Feng ignored him.

"Feng!" The rogue jumped visibly at the unnecessarily loud greeting that rose from his sister's lungs like a war cry. He glanced over his shoulder slightly, turning just enough to shoot an annoyed glare at his sibling with a single eye.

Tai tried her best to ignore him. Among her biggest pet peeves, was when people couldn't be bothered to turn around fully to look a person in the face. She held back the snarky comment, knowing he was simply pissed at himself for being caught unaware and that it was neither the time nor the place to fight with him over a mere annoyance.

"What are you doing here, Tai?" After saying that he suddenly noticed the tall, pale man behind her. "And who's this?"

Feng watched his sister's face suddenly light up in excitement. "Feng! Feng! Feng! It's so great! I went down to talk to Bishop Neheri about the elf Melu-"

"What?"

"-And asked him if there was anyway to set her free-"

"Wait. What?"

"-And he said that there have been a few times when Horde prisoners become turn-coats! They're trained to be spies for the Alliance!-"

"Tai."

"-And he said that it's very probable that they would release Melu if she agrees to become a spy!"

"Tai. Stop. Enough!" Feng grabbed his sister by the arms, silencing her as she stared at him, fidgeting nervously. Feng plowed on before she got on another ranting spree. "Are you serious? You're going to turn her into a spy for the Alliance? You're going to turn her against her family? Her people? You don't even know if she's going to agree to that! For all you know she'd rather die at the Inquisitor's hands!"

"I know that!" Tai snapped, her voice rising over the everyday bustle of the city causing several passerby's to stop and glance at the quarreling siblings. The elf with them simply stood, waiting patiently as if nothing were out of the ordinary. "I know that..." she continued. "But still... I have to at least ask her. I can't just sit back and let them kill an innocent girl. I can't live with that." Tai shoved her fists in her now teary eyes, lowering her red face and standing tensely. She took slow, forceful breaths, attempting to regain her self-control.

Feng watched her silently a moment, glanced at the elf who promptly ignored him, then sighed. "Alright, sorry. You're right." Feng rested his hand on her head ruffling her short black hair. "Just... don't get your hopes up, ok?"

"I know," she mumbled, her eyes rooted to the cobblestone.

Without a word, Feng turned around to face the entrance to the Stockades and took a confident step forward. Well, he did his best to appear confident. In truth, Feng didn't expect any positive results from Tai's botched plan. They were about to go marching into the Stockades and put Melu between a rock and a hard place. Meanwhile, that Neheri guy would waltz into Stormwind Keep and give the King probably the most half-assed "Mother-may-I" speech known to man.

Feng knew this was a bad plan and he knew there would be repercussions for demanding the release of a Horde prisoner. So why did he keep going? Because it seemed so important to Tai? Feng knew that was a part of it, but deep inside he knew he had to get the elf out. She was an innocent girl. The rogue didn't know anything about her, but he knew she didn't deserve to die in a cold and dark prison cell. There was a chance she would refuse Tai's offer, or the King would refuse to grant it, but Feng wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't at least give Melu the choice.

Who knows? Maybe she'll make a break for it when our guard's down. Maybe she'll escape this time. Feng waited next to his sister as the high elf spoke to the warden in a hushed tone. He tried to imagine the clumsy elf girl navigating her way out of both the Stockades and Stormwind City without alerting any guards. He snorted. Yeah right.

His train of thought shattered when the high elf turned to face the siblings and muttered, "We have permission to enter the Stockades. Inquisitor Winters will arrive shortly to escort us."

Feng glanced around the barren room that stood above the prison below. At the thick wooden doors barely 7 feet away from him, half a dozen guards fought to keep the rioting prisoners at bay. The mage Feng spotted earlier was sitting in a corner eating while a priest bandaged his arm. He was very aware of the mage's eyes on his back ever since they entered the Stockade's entrance and Feng was getting irritated. Were his eyelids broken or was staring at people the new form of "hello"?

"Ah! Maginor Thelrien! Good morning!" Feng turned at the sound of a hoarse voice and did his best to hide his surprise when his eyes rested on a woman with a serene smile and a scar on her neck. His surprise doubled- and this time he couldn't hide it- when he noticed the masked man standing next to her. The same one that took Melu from them at the docks. The woman's eyes drifted to Feng and his sister. "Hello, I'm Inquisitor Dahlia Winters, but you may simply call me Winters. This is Connor, one of the Harvester's trusted men." Winters glanced between the obviously uncomfortable Feng and the impassive Connor. "You've met before?" After a brief pause, she exclaimed, "Ah yes! Connor escorted the elf, so you three would have ran into each other."

The trio in question gave the woman quizzical glances.

"How'd you know?" Tai asked.

"I'll tell you in a little while," Winters responded with another smile.

"But why're you here?" Feng asked. This whole situation was getting more and more complicated by the minute, there was no way this guy wasn't going to make everything worse.

Connor shrugged nonchalantly. Winters quickly stepped in.

"The elf Melu is one of the Harvester's subjects, if you intend to speak with her then either Connor, Zakhar or the Harvester herself must be present. The Harvester is allowing you to visit Melu when she has every right to turn you away. If you really need to speak with the elf that bad then you can put up with Connor. All that aside, let's get going, shall we?" Without waiting for a response, Connor turned and began making his way down the small flight of stairs, toward the brawling guards and prisoners, Winters right on his heel. The siblings shot worried glances at one another before chasing after older two. They watched in awe as the fighting men and women in front of them broke apart violently. They stopped. They stared. Then they quickly shuffled to one side or the other, making way for Connor and Winters.

"What the fuck?" Tai muttered, tensing up. What was with everyone? Why did they act so weird around an inquisitor and one of their henchmen?

"Dunno..." Feng put his hand to Tai's shoulder, giving her a soft nudge. "Stay close." They followed Winters quickly and quietly down another flight of stairs in into a hall Feng almost couldn't believe was a part of the Stockades. It was so... clean.

Connor stopped, standing silently in front of a door that looked exactly like all the others, a large and heavy looking ring of keys in his hand. He didn't move to unlock the door however, instead he stared evenly at Winters who made a small noise of realization.

"There are wards in this room to prevent the casting of magic by anyone other than the Harvester, so don't panic when you step in. But that aside, any attempts to aid, harm or rile the prisoner will not be tolerated and be dealt with swiftly. Understand?"

Feng nodded slowly as Tai murmured an uncertain, "Y-yeah." Thelrien, who had been standing behind the group silently, continued to be as unmoving as the creepy life-like statue he apparently turned himself into. Feng was beginning to question whether he was alive or whether he was actually just a giant pissed off doll some bored gnome built in his spare time.

Connor skimmed lightly through the ring of keys. Picking one out, he slowly unlocked and opened the door. Feng frowned, watching as Connor and Winters slid quietly into the room. The young man had the growing feeling he didn't want to see Melu. He didn't want to know what the Harvester had done to her. On the other hand, he had already decided he couldn't just leave her there, especially now that he saw the Harvester's row. Something about the starch white hall was incredibly unsettling. With a deep breath he followed his sister and Thelrien into the room.

The first thing he noticed besides the freakishly large table in the corner of the room was the severe lack of a Melu. The place was empty. Tai looked up at him with eyes growing dark and Feng bit back a frustrated growl. He knew that Tai was ready to go berserk if Melu didn't show up in the next ten seconds.

Seeing their faces, Winters threw the siblings a genial smile. "Don't worry, she's here."

††††

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Jeremiah Colt's large hands balled into fists as he felt his blood boil. He had watched earlier as that masked mutt Connor and the coy bitch Winters lead two no-name brats and the maginor Thelrien down to the Harvester's wing. After asking a few of his fellow guards, he found out that the two dark haired siblings were the ones to escort the newest prisoner to Stormwind. He knew instantly that they were going to see the elf. Why exactly, he wasn't sure. All Jeremiah knew was that the little Horde whore wasn't dead yet.

Why are so many damn people interested in that elf? Jeremiah wondered in bewilderment, glancing darkly at the young mage behind him. Earlier that day, they had been as chummy as long lost friends. The mage confided that he was there to help quell the riots. The warden had apparently made a deal to consider releasing his girlfriend if he helped.

Jeremiah had felt a little on the fence at first upon hearing Sorin's story, but then decided that maybe there was a misunderstanding between his girlfriend and the law. After all, Sorin didn't seem like a bad kid, or the type to fall for bad girls, so Jeremiah offered to put in a good word for him and the girl to the Warden. Well, until Sorin mistakenly, in his excitement, let out a little too much information, like how the girl was a blood elf. Jeremiah had never felt so enraged in his life. If that little dress-wearing fire-starter thought he could trick a city guard, he had another thing coming. Jeremiah grumbled angrily thinking back at all of it. The kid was lucky he got away with only a few broken teeth.

Many people he knew thought Jeremiah was a bit extreme when it came to his hate for the Horde. But after being forced to watch a forsaken raiding party burn his farm down with his wife and child inside, Jeremiah felt entitled to his hate, and saw everyone else as too forgiving.

The guard thought idly to himself as he wrapped a small wound on his hand. The elf sure has Sorin wrapped around her little finger... But what about that brother and sister? And Thelrien and Winters? Winters avoids Harvester's prisoners like the plague, but word has it that this is the second time she's seeing that one elf. Is it magic? Has the elf tricked them all? What if the elf does manage to get free? Jeremiah's face fell and his heart thudded in his chest as the thought suddenly hit him. What if she's aiming for the King? What if she intended to get caught to use her magic on him? He scowled darkly, tightening the bandages painfully. No, I'll kill her first. It would be simple. Jeremiah's eyes traveled around the spacious room. The riot wouldn't be solved by tonight, or the next day. He would have plenty of time to put his plan into motion. He could even bribe some of the rioting prisoners to help him. A single elf against any number of prisoners and guards. Jeremiah gave a feral grin. She would never know what hit her.

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"If she's here, then where is she?" Tai demanded. In a barren 12x12 room, there really wasn't anywhere for the elf to hide.

"Hiding, of course." Winters shrugged.

Slowly, Tai's eyes drifted toward the bed. It was the only thing in the room big enough to hide a full grown woman, unless of course, Melu somehow got her hands on some sort of camouflage paint and pasted herself to the ceiling. The paladin kneeled down beside the bed, lifting the untucked blankets. Glowing green eyes squinted at the sudden light. Tai watched Melu's hands ball into quivering, defensive fists.

"Melu?" She said loud and clear. For reason's Tai didn't care to think about, the mage looked like a cornered animal. With no light shining on her face, Tai didn't want Melu to mistake her for someone else and lash out.

The figure beneath the bed froze. She reached out slowly, then suddenly snatched her hand back. Tai watched her repeat the motion several times as her mind debated uncertainly. The paladin jumped slightly at the sudden appearance of Winters crouching down beside her.

She cooed a short greeting to Melu before speaking in thalassian, "Your friends here. Want to talk. Good girl come out?" Tai watched in mild surprise as Melu glared hatefully at Winters.

"You... The Harvester... the things she did..." her voice cracked. Winters' face receded into a solemn mask.

"I know."

"You could have at least warned me."

"I know. I am sorry."

There was a moment of silence before Melu tentatively reached out toward Tai. The paladin couldn't help the giant grin on her face as she helped the elf slide out from under neath the bed. Melu tensed at the sight of Connor, inching closer to her female companion. With how frightened she looked, Tai wouldn't have been surprised if the blood elf scrambled beneath the bed again.

"So," Winters began. "How exactly to you intend to converse with Melusina? As I recall, Feng and Tai, neither of you two can speak thalassian."

As her brother glared suspiciously at the inquisitor, Tai wondered in bewilderment, How does she know all these things? Did Melu tell her? But why would an inquisitor ask about trivial things like that?

A motion caught Tai's eye as Thelrien stepped forward. "It seems everyone in this room has forgotten I am here as well. Lovely," the high elf muttered, his voice coated in weary sarcasm.

Tai scoffed. It wasn't that difficult to not notice a person who simply stood there silently. Feng and Tai's eyes stayed rooted to Melu, watching her expression as Thelrien began speaking to her. After a what felt like an eternity, the blood elf suddenly burst out, interrupting Thelrien. The older mage gave her a hard look, whispering to her quietly. Melu nodded vigorously, her voice frantic when she replied. The room was silent for a moment before Thelrien stood and faced Winters grimly.

"She has agreed to the deal and she asks that we bring it to King Wrynn's attention as soon as possible."

Feng's eyebrows raised and Tai took a mental step back. She hadn't expected Melu to agree so quickly. "Seriously?" Tai asked.

Thelrien turned his gaze on her. "Yes, though in all honesty, I don't believe she has thought the consequences through. She simply wants to escape from the Harvester."

Tai's stomach twisted guiltily as she remembered that she was the reason Melu was in the hands of the Harvester in the first place. The guilt ate away until it was all she could do to speak out. "Well, alright! We have Melu's answer, now let's go see the King!"

It was Thelrien's turn to scoff as he said nonchalantly, "Convincing a young sin'dorei girl who has never stepped out of her city is easy enough. But now you wish to get approval from King Wrynn too? Considering His Majesty's extreme dislike for the Horde, this is very unlikely."

Tai growled. "We won't know until we try!" She hated how childish it sounded, but she couldn't think of anything better to get her point across. "Besides, Bishop Neheri should already be there! With any luck, Melu will be free tonight!"

Thelrien shook his head and the others in the room suddenly found themselves silently watching a verbal fight to the death between Tai and the high elf.

"Tonight? My my, you truly are daft. Neheri has more than likely been put on a waiting list amongst countless others requesting audience with the King. It will take him days just to see him. A deal like this requires paperwork, I realize that's a difficult concept for you-"

"Oh, fuck you," Tai spat.

"Maginor Thelrien! Ms. Tai! Please!" Winters scolded, hands on her hips. The more the older woman spoke, the less Tai believed she was an inquisitor. Waiting patiently as they fell silent, Winters shifted her gaze from one person to the next. "Now, with all due respect, I'm afraid it's time for you to go. Melusina's session with the Harvester will be beginning soon."

Tai's face twisted into a grimace. How could she make torture sound like a visit with the doctor? There was something severely wrong with that. As Connor unlocked the door, Tai spared one last apologetic glance toward Melu. It might be the last time she saw the elf.

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Panic and confusion tore through Melu as Tai and Feng slowly made for the door. Her whole body trembled and her legs threatened to give out but she forced herself forward, latching a shaky hand onto Tai's sleeve. The paladin looked at her with large bewildered eyes.

"W-where are you going? Am... am I going too?" They weren't going to leave her there alone, right?

The high elf spoke. "We are going to the king to propose the offer to him, we must receive his permission before releasing you from this prison. I've already explained this to you."

Rage bloomed in her chest and her nails dug into Tai's arms. "What? Seriously, you-" her voice choked up. "You told me I could be free when you haven't even talked to your fucking king yet? You got my hopes up... for nothing!" Melu felt as if she were watching the entire scene unravel from afar as her hand suddenly lashed out blindly. Even as Connor intercepted, catching her hand and forcing her back toward the bed, she didn't stop thrashing. Did they lie? Were they leaving her here to die? Tai and Feng wouldn't do that... would they?

Melu cried out as Winters quickly herded Tai, Feng and the high elf out of the room. With a swift sweep of one long leg, Connor sent her falling. She laid there, a fetal heap on the floor. Fear and betrayal making her limbs jittery and her mind jumbled, Melu watched helplessly as Connor quickly backed out of the room, eyes warily on her. The door closed and locked just as silently as it always did, the only proof of sound in the room was the elf's own heavy breathing.

"'You are the last heir to the Sunveil family, so you had better shape up and prepare for your studies as a priestess,' Balderius had said to her on the girl's 11th birthday."

They really left her there.

"A low moan and a muttered curse in thalassian caught Melu's attention. Looking around furtively, she saw the bloody body of the warlock a few feet away."

Was it all just a game?

" 'Try again: Black.'

" 'Blaaaahhhk.'

" 'Good!' Tai cheered."

She was going to die.

"The mage's eyes widened at the sight of Feng, glaring coldly at the other man. His whole body seemed to ripple with barely contained rage as he squeezed tightly on the sailor's throat."

With a feral snarl Melu leapt at the door, beating and clawing at it furiously. Tears blinded her eyes.

"Don't you fucking leave me here! Come back! Let me out!" Her voice rose to a desperate screech as nothing but silence answered her pleas. "Don't leave me here with that girl! You promised! You fucking promised! Don't leave me!"

Melu curled into a ball, sobbing uncontrollably. She didn't even realize how much time passed, crying in front of the door, until it suddenly opened.

"Tai-" The Sunveil felt her throat close up as her eyes landed on the petite figure standing before her.

The little one reached up, pulling back her hood, revealing the sweet, serene face of a young night elf girl. Melu's eyes widened and she backed away toward the bed.

This was it.

The night elf smiled pleasantly, humming to herself as Connor and the draenei Zakhar followed her into the room. "Now, now, silly little Sunveil. I am not Tai!" She giggled.

This was the 'true evil' the soldiers spoke of. The evil they all claimed to know so well.

"I am the Harvester! Neesha Shadoweye!"

Melu screamed.

I wasn't sure about the little flashback snippits toward the end. I wasn't sure whether or not I'm supposed to use quotations to signify the flashback or if italics alone would've been fine.

As always, please R&R!