Chapter 11

Varian waved his hand at the traitorous being that was trying to shake him awake. This would be the second day in a row that he was so cruelly roused from his sleep. The blue eyes appeared under heavy lashes to see Fox standing over him. She was already dressed in her leather. Exasperation clearly read on her features. "No." He barked and rolled over. He did not want that Fox. That Fox was dutiful and professional. He much preferred the Fox that had entered his dreams last night. His imaginary Fox was more sweet. Rubbing his cheek into the pillow, Varian decided to just ignore the real one.

"You're Highness!" Fox pushed on his back with one hand. She had no idea the proper way to awaken a royal. Subordinates in the SI-7 were almost always rolled right to the floor. That probably would not go over well here. "The rain and winds have stopped. The sun is rising. Your men at Lion's Landing are going to be out paroling the shores. They will be worried sick if we do not return soon."

Then they should have thought about that before dragging him out of bed to mediate with Taran Tzu yesterday morning, shouldn't they? Varian restrained the urge to pull the pillow over his head. He was so very tired. It had been hard falling asleep after the events last night. He had to lay there watching as Fox slathered warm oil all over his armor in an attempt to keep it from rusting. That memory bolted him up in bed.

Fox jumped back throwing up her arms.

He narrowed his eyes on her. So she thought he was going to hit her? Perish the thought, but it did mollify him that she thought he would. "Bring me my armor if you are going to be so insistent about it."

Fox nodded and rushed over to the corner where she had piled the pieces. Soon she would be back at Lion's Landing. After being awake the last twenty six hours she was looking forward to her hard mattress in the barracks. She turned and handed him the pants and the belt. "I assume you can put these back on yourself?"

"You assume correctly." He snatched them away with a rough snort. "As you clearly saw I had no trouble removing them."

Fox turned swiftly and shook her head. Mouthing the word coffee to herself. Thankfully it took less time to get Varian into his armor then out of it. Fox moved around the room tidying it up so that the Appleblooms would have less work to do.

Satisfied that everything was in place she looked over at Varian, "Are you ready?"

"Not really. I rather like it here and would prefer to stay for the next week. But sadly I have duty to attend too." Varian grouched and followed Fox to the door. Curse the rogue for looking so absolutely delighted. The horrible thought crossed his mind that it was possible Fox was a morning person.

She shot him a smile and turned to close the door behind him. "Then let us be going."

That smile. It radiated over her face and right into those shining eyes. Sickening. She was a morning person. Varian pondered for a moment decreeing that all such people in the kingdom be tried and executed for being so blasted offensive. The idea was instantly rejected. If there were no morning people, then who would make the coffee?"

They were surprised to see Jiaya and Jainjun up and about. Jiaya offered them some breakfast. She looked pointedly at Fox. Who politely refused.

Jiayi moved next to Varian and whispered, "You should watch over her better. I think she might be ill."

Varian laughed and thanked them for the hospitality before exiting the establishment. He shielded his eyes from the blinding rays of the sun. "I think, at some point I will return for a longer stay."

"Yes, your Majesty." Fox slipped one strap over her shoulder. "I am very anxious to see how Besty is faring this morning."

"No matter her condition, you should ride back with me on the grand gryphon." Varian looked over at Fox waiting for her to argue on the subject.

"As you wish." Fox picked up her stride. "That reduces some of my stress. I was worried that the flight back woud aggrivate some of her injuries."

"You know she really needs to be retired to the safty of Stormwind. I would not be apposed to giving her a spot in the Royal stables. She would get the very best care there."

"I don't doubt it in the slightest. However, Mrs. Applebloom would even more concerned with my health from all the running I would be doing with out Besty's ability to fly."

"How is that an issue? You merely need a new gryphon. I am more then willing to gift you with the currency to purchase one. The Wildhammer Clan has a nice stock to choose from this year, if you would like to go look." Varian suggested. After all he had the resources and Fox was in desperate need. It was only a logical conclusion for him to help her out in this.

She stopped in her tracks. A glowing light in her amber brown eyes. "That is enough! I will not be taking your money, because the sad truth is you have none."

Varian's head jerked back as if she had slapped him. Was the woman mad? He had merely been offering to help her obtain a better flying mount. How could she possibly be taking offense to it? "Excuse me?"

"I am sorry, your Majesty." Fox sighed deeply, and considered her position. She wondered if this was the right route to take. Brutal honesty in the face of enormous power. Rarely did she state her opinion to the higer ups, and who was higher then the High King? What the heck, toss common sense to the wind. After all, it could only cost her job! "It is not your gold. It belongs to the people of Stormwind, and the races of the Alliance that bank rolls your life style. You do not own your Keep, or your mounts, not the plate boots on your feet. All of it, including your very being, belongs to the Alliance. You have no right to do as you please with any of it without considerable thought and reflection."

"I can see where you are coming from, Fox." Varian's blue eyes sparkled at her gusto. Still the there was a certain matter in her little speech that he simply had to comment on. "I can agree with all of what you have said, aside the part about my body. That is most assuredly my own."

"Then we can agree to disagree for now." Fox gave him a sly wink, "But next time you are in Stormwind, with the Nobles or the Alliance Counsel, try telling them you are taking up a lover of common or unhuman blood. Then we will see exactly whose side, yours or mine, they stand on."

That was an ice bath of reality Varian didn't like.

The chirps from Besty caused Fox to look up and run toward her gryphon. She threw her arms around the bird. "Hey, sweet girl, how is that leg today?"

Varian looked over at the stable master setting aside his pitchfork and coming to greet them. "Cheung," Remebering the Pandarian's name clearly from the previous night, "Could you bring around our things?"

"Would you like my hands to tack them up for you as well?" Cheung smiled warmly.

"That would be appreciated." Varian moved over to slid his hand down Besty's leg. The gryphon lifting it at his touch. "You spoiled bird. There is hardly any swelling and no heat to it at all." Varian stood up and dusted his hands. Looking over to Fox he asked, "Does she play you like this often?"

"What? Noooo." Fox dragged the word out taking Besty's beak in her hands and looking the gryphon in the eyes. "You would never exaggerate your injury to me would you, poor baby."

Varian cringed and wrinkled his face, "ugh, Could you stop the sickening sweet talk. I think I'm going to vomit."

Fox moved her back to Varian and snuggled up closer to her gryphon, "Ignore him, Besty. He is just grouchy by nature."

The hands came around and made short work of preparing the mounts. Varian purchased a long lead and clipped it to Besty. Then climbed aboard his grand gryphon. Fox moved next to him and waited for access the the stirrup. Planning on riding behind Varian and holding the lead for Besty. Varian had other plans. Slipping the lead into his belt he reached out and grabbed Fox around the waist. Depositing her side saddle in front of him.

"What the heck is this?" Fox put a hand on his chest and tried to push away.

"We are going to go back to Lion's Landing." Varian set his heels to his mount and it rose swiftly.

Fox turned swiftly to grab hold of the saddle. "I was going to ride behind you. This feels to much like I am going to fall off."

Then you are going to have to rely on me to keep you on, aren't you." Varian looked behind him to see Besty trailing close. She was having no problems with the current rate of speed.

"Your Majesty, could you drop or lift the reins for just a second so I can toss my other leg over?"

"No. The way you are seated is perfectly acceptable and preferred for a Lady." Varian knew what he was doing. He knew the reaction and he got it.

"I am not a Lady!" Fox gasped as Varian intentionally forced the gryphon to dip low and then back up. The brown eyes turning to glare at him.

"Turbulence." Varian tossed out smoothly.

Fox clamped her teeth so hard together to refrain from commenting. Turblence. The lie was laughable. The calm after last night storm was astounding. Looking up she saw a pack of four gryphons coming toward them. It did not take much time before she was able to make Shaw out in the lead.

"Damn you, two!" Shaw shouted through the air at them, "I was worried sick. Did the storm strand you out here?"

"We made it to Paw'don, Shaw." Varian called back. "Although we did have our share to trouble getting there. Besty was injured."

"That old thing is lucky to be alive." Shaw pulled his gryphon next to them. "I am honored to report that Lion's Landing took the beating the storm gave us rather well. There were some minor damage. A few broken windows and fallen trees within the walls."

"And our out lying posts?" Varian asked.

"Not so well. We have been sent some reports, but I think it's best we over look the damage personally." Shaw informed his King.

"Very well. Let's get Fox back to Lion's Landing first. She had a long night dealing with me." Varian winked at Shaw.

Fox's head came up with a sharp gasp. Yes, it was the truth, but the way it had sounded was so far from it. Then given the way her fellow operatives thoughts typically ran, the implications could only lead to trouble.

Shaw's attention too was captured. "Oh, reeeally?" His eyes moved to Fox wedged before Varian on the small saddle. A smug expression was all that greeted Fox's sharp shake of her head.