Nasorya considered herself to be a rather open-minded individual, but she hadn't settled yet on a fully formed opinion of humans, even seven years after first encountering them. Gylledra had involved them in her organization since its inception and they'd proven to be useful, contributing members, but they could also be dangerous and conniving, but really, that was true of any people.

She found she didn't particularly care for the King of Stormwind, he was a bit of a dick, though that wasn't necessarily reflected in how he led his people. He was willing to do whatever it took to ensure his kingdom's safety. There were plenty of rulers far worse than that, shitty attitude aside. The prince was of a gentler nature and seemed immune to his father's rage at least.

Whatever the state of the humans, it was the Horde and its leader that were most concerning. Pava had been assigned to keep an eye on things in Orgrimmar and so far, none of her reports had brought good news. Garrosh Hellscream grew wildly more violent against the Alliance, and there was more and more evidence that his prejudice extended beyond just the Alliance and onto any who were not orcs.

She made her way around the king's war room, touching everything and pulling out books from shelves to flip though as Gylledra and Varian talked, pointedly ignoring her. It was less fun when no one cared that she was making trouble. There was some commotion in the throne room and Nasorya looked up from her book in time to see the King and Gylledra moving for the doorway. Outside was the indistinct but easily identifiable voice of the young prince.

Nasorya skidded through the doorway just as there was a shout and found Anduin had shielded his father as a guard lunged for him. Varian swung his sword and the attacking guard moved back so that he missed. Gylledra's eyes turned black as she stared at the would-be assassin. The human priest who had been mentoring Anduin for the last several days stepped back, eyes glowing golden, light in the palms of his hand as he prepared to defend his king.

But something was wrong…and with a burst of swirling shadow, the guard began to change. The priest shot bolts of light at the beast, to no avail and Gylledra leapt forward, grabbing Anduin and shoving him back toward his father. There was obvious recognition on her face, whatever the guard had turned into, a towering purple mass of horror, it was not the first time she had seen one.

Void poured from her, the arcane woven through the darkness as she hurled a blast of undulating, dark fire at the creature. It screamed, retaliating with a rain of its own shadow magic but it did not touch her.

"Erf skyen'glu!" She spat. "I lwhuk skshath'yar!" The monster gave a furious roar but everyone watched, frozen in shock and terror as she tore the thing apart. It croaked something unintelligible as it died in its language…the language of the Old Gods, Nasorya knew.

"What the hell was that?!" Varian demanded. Gylledra changed again, herself once more, but her eyes glowed bright, arcane blue. She gestured to the corpse and white sigils covered it, slowly consuming it and leaving nothing but a clean floor behind.

"It was N'raqi…a Faceless One." She told them, at last entirely herself again. "It is a creature that serves the Old Gods…what are left of them." Gylledra's face twisted a little.

"Did you not kill it with the same shadow magic?" Varian frowned and she simply nodded. Something about Gylledra's powers had been…different…ever since Ahn'Qiraj, but Nasorya never pressed her about it. She knew only that Gylledra had disappeared into the bowels of the city, and when she came out, those who went in were then able to defeat the Old God that dwelled within.

"It is okay, father." Anduin stepped forward again. The priest he'd been with was staring apprehensively at Gylledra. "She controls it, not the other way around like most who delve into shadow."

"I would never risk harming an innocent. How did you know it was here?" Her eyes were on Anduin who gave a sheepish smile.

"We uncovered his plot…the Twilight Hammer seeks to aid in Azeroth's destruction." The boy explained. "I admit, I had wondered how you might react."

"I am aware of the rising threat they have become." Varian glowered. "I must be sure to order a more thorough examination of my guards."

"We were lucky this time." Gylledra took a deep breath and let it out slowly, looking over to where Nasorya was being uncharacteristically quiet. The last year had been difficult for their friendship, they'd been apart for most of it and out of contact.

"I'd like some time with my son." Varian replied, then turned to one of the other guards. "Lock down the keep."

.

It was more uncomfortable than Gylledra had words for when Nasorya was being quiet. The silence hung between them as they retreated to their quarters. She knew there was a conversation they needed to have, though she wasn't entirely certain what it would entail.

"What is the matter?" She asked, closing the door. Nasorya flopped down onto the settee, giving an adolescent sort of shrug and Gylledra sat beside her. "Things have all been a mess the last couple of years, I know. I've sort of become lost in it all, burying myself in the work and in my own sorrows."

"I'm not sure I've quite forgiven you for vanishing and leaving no word." Nasorya retorted, petulantly.

"Not that the loss of my mate and a loved one was completely overwhelming and devastating or anything." Gylledra shot back.

"What happened in Silithus?" Nasorya demanded suddenly.

"What?"

"You heard me. In Silithus…after that war you were…darker, something I didn't think could even happen." She sat forward, staring at Gylledra who let out a long sigh.

"It seems impossible to look an Old God in its eye and not come back darker." She replied.

"You mean look an Old God in the eye?"

"No, its eye. It only had the one." Gylledra shrugged one shoulder and saw the smirk quiver at one side of Nasorya's mouth. "Thing was the size of a bloody planet."

"One good poke would have sorted it out, don't you think?"

"It would have needed to be a particularly big stick if so." Gylledra grinned.

"What really happened?" Nasorya sobered again.

"C'Thun tried to tempt me, I let it think it had, and when it granted me power…I used it to wound it grievously. But you do not strike up such a bargain with an Old God and then betray it and come away the same as you arrived." Gylledra explained. "The darkness I wield seems more potent now but also I see more darkness than I did before."

"And you told no one?"

"I told Varok. He got me through the nightmares and anchored me to this reality. C'Thun had wounded my resistance to the whispers and it took a long time to heal."

"Oh." Nasorya looked down at her knees.

"It was not a burden I wanted to share with anyone, even him…but I could not shoulder it alone…and his shoulders are much broader than yours or mine." Gylledra smiled, taking Nasorya's hand and she looked up with glassy violet eyes.

"I would bear any burden you asked."

"I know that, and my love for you is greater than anything, but I could not risk infecting you with those shadows…C'Thun sought specifically to take control of dragons and I didn't know if what I was experiencing might somehow give the Void access to you and your own power."

"I see." Nasorya took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I suppose I'm a terror as it is without an Old God or whatever else from that side rattling around in my head."

"Exactly." Gylledra grinned.

"That was where you were supposed to say that I'm not a terror."

"I thought we weren't supposed to lie to each other."

"You're a bit of a bitch now, aren't you?" Nasorya snorted, but she was smirking.

"Yes, well, that has little to do with the Void though."

There was a note waiting in the message box for Gylledra when she stepped into her bed chamber. Snatching the box, some paper, ink, and a pen, she sat on the bed. On the folded parchment was a terrible poem, scrawled dramatically in orcish.

If I could drink your love it would be wine

And then drunkenly I'd drink some more

I should have had a sandwich first

For now I can't get off the floor

Gylledra snickered to herself and replied beneath.

I did not realize Dorf could rhyme!

I think that already my time in Stormwind grows short. I fear the king would have me stay, knowing what he does. But I don't play favorites so I shall have to disappoint him. I am fond of the prince, however, he is wise for a child and I think I should foster my friendship with him for when he is king someday. He is more the diplomatic sort and Azeroth, I believe, is in need of more diplomats than warriors.

How is the weather?

It was not long before Varok's response came through. Gylledra could only imagine just how dreary and tedious things were at Warsong Hold.

Dorf is an intellectually compromised orc of many…well, at least three talents. He is also very bored.

The king is at least a man of honor, though it is likely wise not to linger lest he believe himself in the possession of some mercenary force. Fortunately most focus is likely on the elemental unrest and the dragon torching all the countryside. I know you hate it here, but so far Northrend seems unscathed. Perhaps your journey should stray this way sooner rather than later.

As for weather, it's quite cold here…I'm frozen stiff.

You'll warm up soon enough. Gylledra replied cryptically, still chuckling to herself.

When she stepped into Varian's map room after being summoned two days later, Gylledra found it devoid of guards and only the king himself, his spymaster Mathias Shaw, and Rell Nightwind were present. Mathias closed the door after she entered and she eyed them all with one eyebrow cocked.

"Is this a clandestine meeting?" She asked.

"I assume you know Mathias Shaw." The king replied, disregarding her question.

"We have never met formally but I would be surprised if he was not already aware of who I am." She shook the spymaster's hand as he extended it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Gylledra."

"Likewise." She smiled.

"I know you're planning on departing within the next couple of days." Varian went on. "I wanted the opportunity to have a secured discussion with you before you go. You have done much in service to the people of Stormwind and I have not properly expressed my gratitude for that."

"You see, Varian, I am the general of the Nameless, and our moniker implies a lack of identification which means that we don't seek recognition or thanks for our deeds, we do what we do because it makes peoples' lives better." She folded her arms. "I am glad for your appreciation, but we both know that none of it was for you." He watched her for a moment, jaw clenching and unclenching as he tried to figure out what to say. "The point of not wanting your thanks is that neither of us owe the other any favors."

"I see what you mean." He replied finally. "Nevertheless, I would like to know if there is a way to get a message to you, should there be a need."

"I suspect that Mathias and Rell have identified at least a couple of my operatives who live in Stormwind, and I trust their identities will remain unexposed. So if there is something you feel I must absolutely be made aware of, that will be the only route open to you." Gylledra leaned against the table, looking from face to face. Rell pointedly stared behind her, not making eye contact.

"I am satisfied with that." Varian gave a nod.

"I will be away for some time, but, to save SI:7 from scurrying to find out where I will be, it is no secret. I'm going to Warsong Hold, but like I said, if you need to get a message to me I suggest not sending anyone directly as it is still a Horde territory."

"Warsong Hold?" The king looked bewildered.

"Yes, my mate holds command there." Gylledra stared, confused by Varian's apparent shock at this revelation. She had assumed Rell blabbed everything he knew to his spymaster and king, but by the looks of it, the king was the only one in the room who didn't know of her more personal involvement with the Horde. Both Rell and Mathias hadn't told Varian everything apparently. It led her to wonder why, but the evolution of expression on the human king's face was comical as he seemed to realize that it meant her other half was not an elf.

"Your mate is an orc?" He asked, trying somewhat unsuccessfully to keep the disgust from his voice. "But Warsong Hold was put under Varok Saurfang's command when Garrosh Hellscream returned to Orgrimmar, was it not…?"

"Yes, it was." She nodded. The outward revulsion seemed to vanish, only surprise remaining.

"Saurfang is a rare example of honor and valor amongst his kind." To her astonishment, what appeared to be an air of respect settled over Varian and he gave a nod. "I am sorry for the loss of his son. I heard much about his cooperation with our own troops, and how he shared his father's ideals."

"Thank you." She said quietly, looking down for a moment. "It will bring Varok some solace to hear that even the Alliance knew of Dranosh's greatness. Had he lived to become Warchief instead of that current monster, he would have found a way to maintain peace, I have no doubt." There was a moment of heavy, uncomfortable silence until she cleared her throat. "So. That's where I'll be."

"I have a question." Mathias Shaw said, breaking the tension. She looked at him, waiting. "You are right that we have identified a couple of your operatives, I'm wondering if it is due to the quality of your spies or if they revealed themselves intentionally." He was prodding her good-naturedly and she grinned, knowing she didn't have to reply.

"You only saw them because they wanted you to." Sirno remarked from the corner no one had noticed her in. Everyone but Gylledra started and turned toward her, looking mildly horrified. Varian bared his teeth at her, his loathing for orcs plain on his face. Mathias gave Gylledra a level look and she smirked with a shrug.

"You wanted to speak with me?" Rell asked, coming around the end of a bookshelf as Gylledra casually perused the currently unoccupied library.

"You are a good spy, I didn't even have to use my words." She replied, smiling a little as he drew nearer. "I had fully expected that you'd divulged all my secrets to Shaw and the King."

"I only relay what I believe could impact the Alliance negatively." His golden eyes were fixed on her.

"It is a pity you belong to SI:7, you'd have been a fine member of my Nameless." Gylledra had always liked Rell, even from the first moment she met him in Orgrimmar, all those years before, there was something about him.

"Your cause is one worthy of loyalty, but as I already swore one oath, I must stand by it." He told her. "You do not seem the sort to welcome oath-breakers to your fold."

"I can respect that, oaths are important. I suppose then I will offer my friendship and be satisfied with that." She looked up at him as he seemed to draw nearer.

"It is a pity that is all you have to offer." His voice was quiet and Gylledra realized then that he liked her. Somehow, the possibility of anyone ever taking such interest in her besides Varok had never occurred to her. She'd never given thought to the attention of anyone else. She scrambled for words, for some reply, a quip, anything but her mouth worked soundlessly. "What a moment this is, you are so rarely speechless." A grin spread across his face. "Why are you so surprised?"

"Rell…I…" It was becoming embarrassing as words continued to fail her. He'd managed with just one comment to tear down the defenses she always carefully stayed behind, leaving her feeling somewhat exposed, with control wrested from her grip.

"You are not yet reunited with your mate?" He asked suddenly, throwing her even farther off balance. Why was he suddenly so bold? What the hell did Sirno do to him?

"No, I…well, not…but…" She spluttered and then Rell took her face between his hands and kissed her. Her shock was such that she didn't resist, her body reciprocating of its own accord. She'd forgotten what it was like to kiss someone without tusks. No risk of impalement kissing an elf…she thought distantly. He tasted her, holding her against him.

When he pulled back, Gylledra was warm and a little breathless. She blamed the unwanted arousal on her physical deprivation as she worked to return to her rational self.

"You…you did not ask if you could do that." She said finally, her ability to speak once again in working order.

"You'd have said no."

"Precisely." She stepped back and he smiled, perhaps a little sadly.

"I would ask forgiveness but I do not want it. Until our paths cross again. Enjoy Northrend, friend." Rell gave her shoulder a squeeze and left her staring after him still somewhat shocked and confused.

"Wow. He didn't even kiss me." Sirno said from where she was leaning in the doorway. Gylledra cleared her throat and straightened her jacket a bit.

"Were you even face to face?" She asked.

"Good point." Sirno grinned. "I don't really care to be face to face with males."

"Yes, well, this goes with you to your grave."

"I'm offended you think you even have to say that!" Her laughter echoed through the library.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Nasorya asked. Ever since everything that had happened with Varok had happened, she'd become a strange, over-protective mother hen-dragon. Gylledra rolled her eyes inwardly and let out a long breath, nodding.

"Yes, for the nine-hundredth time."

"It seems very quick, don't you think? Just going back to him…not taking more time…" Nasorya prodded gently…again.

"No, Nasorya, quick would have been if I'd mounted him right in Baine's lodge while you all waited outside." Gylledra sighed. They were waiting in Dalaran, having rented the same room in the inn that the Nameless had used as an interim sort of headquarters as they battled the Lich King's forces. Pava and Reggie were due to arrive at any time so they could discuss the plan for Gylledra's absence. She wasn't going to be totally absent, she simply wasn't going to be going from place to place to check in on things as she usually did.

The door opened and in stepped a heavily pregnant and unhappy looking Pava followed closely by Reggie and Rook Coldrock.

"Well…that complicates things." Gylledra murmured.

"Aye, that's why I've come." Rook replied.

"You never said anything!" Gylledra went on and Pava gave a small smile, but winced. She looked ready to go at any time.

"If you'd known, you'd have told me to stay behind, and I don't stay behind." Pava replied.

"Yes. It's definitely better to travel while about to drop and being a nightmare." Reggie muttered sullenly. Through his displeasure at his unhappy and uncomfortable mate Gylledra could see a proud father-to-be.

"I've been with them five minutes and already I want to get out." Rook snorted.

"Well, in the interest of comfort, I will get right to the point. I will be stationed at Warsong Hold for the foreseeable immediate future, I anticipate things to work similarly to the last time I was there except perhaps with rules a bit more lax, considering that Hellscream and his giant ego and increasingly racist attitude aren't present there anymore." Gylledra explained. "I will be dispatching notices to all lieutenants in all the divisions. I will make note that matters of escalation should go first to Rook before they come to me. I will still manage reports and my daily work as usual, not much will change."

"Then what is this all for?" Rook asked, frowning slightly.

"I would like some time to myself, a couple weeks at the very least unless it is a dire emergency. My own family has been fractured and needs mending. I have worked hard over the years to put back together the lives of others and now must look to my own."

"It's about time." Pava blurted. "Everything has been for everyone else. You need to take a step back, for your own sake."

"Yes, well…it's taken tragedy and heartbreak to recognize that, so there is no time like the present. Nasorya and Sirno will come along, mostly because its nigh unto impossible to stop them." She grinned as Nasorya shot her a dirty look. "It will be an entire three days before they're bored I'm sure and I will actually have peace."

.

Saurfang dragged his eyes over the bland, eventless reports as he did every day. Nothing ever happened, it was Northrend…the war was over, it was cold, and no one even wanted the territory. The most action they saw was wildlife picking off other wildlife. The indigenous populations of the continent left each other alone for the most part and whatever minor squabbles they had didn't matter enough to pay attention to anyway.

He looked at the disappointingly lackluster stone on the message box. Gylledra hadn't written in over a week and he was growing concerned. At the sound of familiar footsteps coming up the corridor, Saurfang let out a long breath, rolling his eyes for the benefit of no one. He wished he'd remembered to close the office door. Kryna entered, as she usually did, but instead of her usual cloying smile, she wore a slight grimace.

"What is it?" He asked, giving her a sidelong look.

"There are…travelers here." She told him.

"What sort of travelers?" He turned to look at her straight on then.

"Travelers that don't belong. One is a night elf!" The young Mag'har looked aghast. "I cannot imagine the gall to waltz into a Horde stronghold and demand to see the High Overlord!"

"You might not have noticed, there are but a scant few of us here. If the visitors were going to cause trouble, I imagine they would have no difficulty doing so." He replied, giving her a level look. He halted then, halfway to getting to his feet. A night elf? "Who else is with her?"

"How do you know it's a her?" Kryna scoffed indignantly.

"Kryna…" He growled, not in the mood for whatever her problem was.

"Some odd looking one with horns and that orc spy from a couple months ago." She finally told him, not looking too pleased about it. Saurfang barely kept the grin off his face, surging upward.

"I will see to them." He breezed out of the office without a backward glance.

.

Kryna Stonebreak had never seen the High Overlord's eyes light up quite like that, but he'd been somewhat different in general since returning from his unauthorized journey to Thunder Bluff. He'd come back with the heavy burdens he bore having somehow been lightened. Her assignment to Warsong Hold had gone into effect nearly as soon as most of the Horde had been recalled to Orgrimmar. Since she'd learned of his absentee mate, Saurfang had been decidedly less warm toward her. They'd been close, she had thought, thinking herself becoming perhaps important in his life. The long nights by the fire…

She clenched her teeth, following him out of the office, heading for the war room where his guests awaited. The idea that he was consorting with members of the Alliance was shocking and confusing. And just what was an orc spy doing with them?! She hurried, reaching the room on Saurfang's heels to find only the elf standing there, waiting.

"There were two others here!" She blurted and both Saurfang and the elf looked at her, neither too pleased with her.

"Perhaps then, you ought to go find them and make sure they're not causing trouble." He rumbled, arching one brow. The amusement on the elf's face at the scolding sent anger coursing through her.

"What? Search the entire hold?" Kryna blinked.

"You. Are. Dismissed." He said more firmly and though she opened her mouth to retort, the look in his eye stopped her. With a huff, she turned and left, but paused just out of sight, listening, despite knowing she should not.

"Surprise." The elf told him.

"Yes, yes it is. I can't believe your chaperones left you alone with me." Saurfang chuckled.

"I pulled rank."

"Ah, I see. I was growing concerned when I had not heard from you in so long." He went on. Kryna couldn't resist and silently crept toward the edge of the wall. Obscured in the darkness of the hallway, she looked around the edge and saw the High Overlord and the elf standing quite close together. She didn't look like other night elves Kryna had seen, her hair was dark and her skin lacked the usual purple hue most of them had. Unexpected though, was the stance and build of a warrior that she had, obvious, graceful strength in the way she moved, but there was some sort of magic about her as well. Typically, the night elves abhorred magic, so that was also strange.

"I was in Dalaran making preparations for my…hiatus." The elf explained.

"Your hiatus?" Saurfang frowned as she smiled up at him. His brows arched high, coming to understand something Kryna still had not. It was a strangely cryptic conversation and she didn't like the way the elf looked at him. The warmth and admiration in her shining green eyes were too familiar…it was…it was the way Kryna had looked on him all these months!

He'd said he had a mate, a devastating revelation in and of itself, it did not make sense that he would take up with an elf on the side. The thought sent her mind reeling, why an elf when there was a perfectly good, willing orc right here?! Were he and the mate estranged? Was that why he'd spent so much time with her initially when the war against the Lich King had been won? The thought made her feel sick. What sort of mate would abandon a warrior like Saurfang? Who could possibly turn their back on one such as him?

Her suspicions seemed confirmed, however, as Saurfang took the elf into his arms, pressing his forehead to hers. The knot in Kryna's gut twisted sharply, this made no sense, nothing added up! What in all the hells was this?! Saurfang, who harped endlessly on the importance of honor, of what it meant to uphold it and promote it…it was everything to him! How could he…

"We cannot be apart again, Varok." The elf whispered.

"I do not intend to be." He kissed her, and Kryna had to put a hand over her mouth to keep from gasping. A realization struck her like a swinging axe…it was not in Saurfang to betray a mate, this elf…this unwelcome Alliance entity…she was his mate. Why else would his mate's spy be with her? She should not be watching this, but she couldn't look away as all the things she had imagined were stripped away.

Suddenly, Kryna was yanked backward into the darkness, cloth jammed in her mouth so she couldn't make a sound. She thrashed but finally was thrown into a small room where she pulled the cloth out of her mouth and found herself face to face with the two women who had accompanied the elf.

"What do you think you're doing you brown-nosing little gash?" The spy hissed at her, a very sharp blade pointed to Kryna's throat.

"Wow, that's harsh even for you, Sirno." The horned one looked a little shocked.

"That's because I'm not a fool and this one cannot be trusted. She serves High Overlord Saurfang to achieve her own ends, not for loyalty or love of the Horde." The vicious orc went on.

"How dare you accuse me of disloyalty!" Kryna spat and barely saw the spy's right hook coming, the back of her head bouncing against the stone wall at her back. Lights danced in front of her eyes and she tasted blood. She was yanked by the ankles to lay flat on the floor, Sirno the Spy crouched above her.

"Look, you're cute, so I won't kill you." Her voice was suddenly softer, warmer somehow and the inexplicable transition made Kryna's head hurt. "But you'd better get out of your mind any ideas you might have had." Sirno grabbed her by the chin, forcing her to look her in the eye. "Believe me, little one, when I say that whatever I might do to you…in whatever capacity…it will be much better than what Gylledra might do if she finds you sneaking about with your intentions."

"For fuck's sake, Sirno, are you trying to scare her or pick her up?" The horned one scoffed.

"I can't make up my mind." A sly, but unreadable smile curled on the orc's lips then she stood up. "Remember what I said, though." They turned and left the supply closet, closing the door behind them.