The group spent one last night in the Fieldstone's barn. Thealn went over the negotiating tactics Bellon was to provide to Khadgar and Thrall. The next morning, they packed up their gear leaving the barn spotless, said their good-byes, and escorted the general and his entourage back to the landing site.
As they waited for the ramp to extend, Thealn handed Bellon a handwritten note then spoke in Cheunh. "When you are finished here, send your final report, then use at least three hyper-space jumps to proceed to these coordinates. A CEF ship will meet you. Program the droid to erase all data regarding all jumps between here and the rendezvous point where the Empire is to intercept your ship. I look forward to your return home."
"Tell Loa that I miss her, and we'll be together forever." Bellon responded. It had been ages since he spoke his native tongue. It felt good.
"I look forward to your in-briefing with CAI and working with you," Ofain added.
The two stepped back and saluted. Bellon blinked in surprise and returned the salute. General Avath led his landing party back up the ramp into the ship.
Bellon and his friends stepped clear of the thrusters and watched the shuttle depart.
"Well, hell, that was interesting," Torque commented.
The party arrived back in Dalaran that afternoon. Bellon asked about Khadgar and Thrall and learned they were in a war council with Anduin Wrynn and Lady Sylvanas. He left word that he wished to meet privately with one or both and would they please contact him as to a convenient time and place. He stressed the meeting was important for the future of Azeroth and the successful conclusion of the war with the Burning Legion.
The party had decided to stay at the Legerdemain, an inn that catered to mages but was neutral in regards to the two factions. They sat silently around a table with their drinks in hand. Bellon had ordered a light wine; he hadn't had wine since leaving Dromund Kaas. The rest were enjoying the various Azeroth ales the establishment sold.
"So, when do you think this Dearth Vulva…"
"Darth Vowrawn!" Bellon snapped.
"Darth Vowrawn will arrive?" Torque finished his question smoothly.
The women groaned and shook their heads.
"Not soon enough," Bellon groused.
"You sound like you can't wait to leave us?" Cinnabar's tone was a little hurt.
Bellon sighed. "It's not that. I'll miss all of you. You've proven to be excellent friends. I will never forget that." He brightened. "Maybe I'll bring Loa back to meet you."
"Spend your honeymoon here," Torque suggested.
"A honeymoon, in a war zone?" Luxraina shook her head. "That's just plain stupid."
"Then after the baby is born," Torque offered.
"Baby? What baby," the other three asked.
"Oh, yeah, Thealn said that Billy's girl is preggers. He's going to be a daddy."
"Congratulations. That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you." Bellon suffered the accolades.
"Maybe you'll teach him to be a mage like me," Torque suggested.
"Not if it requires getting a lobotomy like you," Bellon retorted affectionately.
"What's a lobotomy?" Torque whispered to Cinnabar.
"That's where they remove your brain and replace it with purple goo," she told him.
"Hey, Harmon," Torque greeted. "Get over here and help me out against these guys. Us mages got to stick together."
"Ah, good, just who I was looking for," the Kirin Tor mage came over to the table. "I gave Khadgar your message, discretely of course. He said since you are staying here, he and Thrall will meet you in the conference room tomorrow at mid morning."
"That's fast," Torque noted.
"If what you have to say will help bring about a swift end to the Burning Legion, Khadgar and Thrall will leave no stone unturned," Harmon said slipping into a chair Bellon pulled over. He ordered a drink. "Word of your victory over the Legion in Bradensbrook is everywhere. You have earned the respect of not only Lady Sylvanas but King Wrynn himself. I believe he would like to meet you as well."
"I'm sure he's a very reasonable lad, but it would make bad blood to include him in the conversation and not Lady Sylvanas. It is her… how shall we say… single-mindedness that concerns me," Bellon explained.
"You are too polite." Arbeth rolled her eyes. "Vitriolic obsession is closer to the truth."
"Khadgar and Thrall agree with you," Harmon explained. "If you wish, I can set up a separate meet and greet with King Wrynn for all of you. He suggested this evening."
Bellon frowned. "How did you explain my asking after Thrall and Khadgar?"
"I didn't. I told them you were here to announce your victory in Bradensbrook and to report back for further assignment," Harmon explained. "I told you I was discrete." Harmon took a sip of the wine he ordered. "Sylvanas needn't know you are meeting King Wrynn. She is staying in the Sunreaver's Sanctuary and only leaves for meetings with Thrall." He tilted his head toward the Horde compound across the wide avenue from the inn.
"Isn't Sylvanas responsible for Varian's death?" Torque asked.
Harmon nodded, "But Anduin is a very level-headed young man and is putting the greater good of Azeroth ahead of his grief. Shall I set up the meeting?"
The five exchanged looks and came to silent agreement.
"Yes, at his convenience," Arbeth said.
Harmon finished his wine and stood. "I'll get back to you about the time and place of the meeting with King Wrynn." He dropped some coin on the table and left.
They hadn't heard from Harmon by the time they decided to eat supper. They were enjoying the fare when the tavern room went silent. The five looked up and saw a young, blonde-haired human in royal blue pants and cote and a purple sash with a gold lion on it; he couldn't be even twenty. Two men in armor with a gold lion emblazoned on the front escorted him. People stood and bowed as he passed. He made his way straight for the table the five surprised adventurers occupied.
Bellon recovered first and stood. He bowed his head. "King Wrynn I presume."
"You must be Billy Dekidt," the youthful king responded brightly then turned his attention to the others in turn. "Torque Sharpshiv, Arbeth Williams, Luxraina Sunseeker, Priestess Cinnabar, it is an honor to meet the heroes of Bradensbrook."
One of the tavern maids appeared with a chair for the king. He sat and indicated the others join him.
Bellon studied him a moment and recognized the power emanating off Wrynn, a power very much like Luxraina. He realized the young king was a paladin in his own right.
"I realize that most of you are members of the Horde and had no reason at all to help my people in Bradensbrook…"
"We couldn't ignore them," Torque interrupted almost defensively. "We aren't barbarians."
"No, you aren't," Wrynn assured. He smiled.
Bellon noted how sad the smile was for someone so young. His father's death was still fresh.
Wrynn went on, "But, from what I understand, you fight ferociously, and your prowess has become almost legendary. I also heard how you took on a company of demons in Highmountain and Silvermoon Forest. Each time defeating the foe handily."
"I blame Billy," Torque announced. "He comes up with all the ideas."
"So you are the strategist among this group," Wrynn turned his attention to Bellon.
Bellon shrugged feeling himself flush. "I never intended to be. I just follow my instincts."
"Your instincts appear to be good. I could use someone with your gifts on my staff."
"You're most kind, my lord; but I already have an offer I can't refuse," Bellon told Wrynn. "Besides, it isn't just me." He gestured at the other four. "We are a team, a well-oiled machine."
"With a busted cog," Arbeth mussed Torque's mohawk.
"Heh," Torque swatted her hand away.
"I should like to hear about your battle, the tactics you used," Wrynn returned his attention to Bellon. "It might come in handy in the future."
"Oh, well," Bellon stalled to organize his thoughts. "It was really just a happy set of circumstances." He glanced at Wrynn and saw a ray of hope in the eyes of the young, warrior king, who should still be enjoying his carefree youth. He proceeded to explain about the caldera and the lava tube and creating the flood. He left out Thealn and his entourage.
"Brilliant," Wrynn gushed when Bellon finished. "You came up with all that on the fly? I am beyond impressed." He laughed lightly and shook his head. "Lady Proudmore, as gifted as she is, could not devise a plan so quickly. Genn, maybe. You sure I couldn't convince you to join my staff?"
"He's got a honey and baby to go home to," Torque explained helpfully.
Bellon saw a slight blush in Wrynn's cheeks. He was so young even by human standards. "If I had no responsibilities, I would take you up on your offer."
Wrynn shrugged. "I tried." He stood and the five stood as well. "I shall let you get back to your meal. Thank you for allowing me this time to get to know you. I wish you well in your future endeavors." He bid each farewell by name then turned and left.
"Did I just meet a real king?" Torque asked as he sank back into his seat. "Wow, I just met the Alliance king and lived to tell the tale. He's a real nice fella."
"He is so-o-o-o-o young," Arbeth noticed with a shake of her head. "The poor lad."
"He's a paladin, like you Lux," Bellon noted.
Luxraina shook her head, "Not like me; he is much more powerful. His connection to the Holy Light is electrifying."
Cinnabar nodded her agreement. "I could feel it as well."
Harmon knocked on Bellon's door to announce Thrall and Khadgar were ready to meet with him. He led him to the first floor and out the back of the inn then up a second set of stairs. The Orc druid and Human mage waited in a small meeting room that overlooked a courtyard.
"Billy Dekidt, I am Archmage Khadgar" Khadgar stepped forward extending his hand. "It is an honor to meet the hero of Bradensbrook."
"It was a team effort," Bellon responded feeling awkward that he was being attributed all the success for the campaign.
"You and your team have acquitted yourselves well. Thrall, druid of the Cenarion Circle," the Orc introduced himself. "Your message said you had very important information."
Bellon nodded and took a proffered chair. He explained why he had been sent to Azeroth, the details of his mission. He also reviewed his uncertainty against the empire negotiating with Sylvanas alone. Lastly, he explained the concerns of the Chiss Ascendency.
The two leaders stared at him somewhat confused. "So what is it you are proposing, that we NOT enter into a treaty with your Empire?" Thrall asked.
"No, enter into the treaty but do so in a manner that secures Azeroth's continued autonomy. They will help you with this war in exchange for you helping them with theirs. The Chiss Ascendency negotiated a treaty with the Empire that guaranteed our autonomy. No Imperial may set foot on any Ascendency planet without express permission of the Council of Families. I bring you those negotiating techniques. I also suggest that as reasonable as King Wrynn appears and… well… dedicated Lady Sylvanas seems to be, you two be the negotiators. The two of you represent all that is good about Azeroth and have the influence to urge acceptance of the treaty as you negotiate it." Bellon set a data disk on the table. "Everything you need to know is on this disk." He pulled out his holocommunicator and inserted the disk.
Over the next two hours, the three reviewed the information on the disk provided by the Council of Families. Bellon gave them as much information as he could about Darth Vowrawn, who, he hoped, would speak for the Empire. He played several recordings showing the efficacy of Imperial weapons technology. Both Thrall and Khadgar took copious notes.
When they were finished, Thrall studied Bellon over peaked fingers. "Lady Sylvanas is going to be upset when she learns you brought this to us and not her."
Bellon shrugged. "I have come to appreciate Azeroth and its people. I want everyone to benefit, not just one little corner. Besides, Sylvanas is as ruthless, devious, and psychotic as most Siths; I have come to not trust her to put Azeroth first."
Thrall nodded. "You are being very wise. I can handle Sylvanas; she will come around and both the Horde Warchief and the Supreme Commander of the Alliance shall be in attendance when the treaty is negotiated. I will ensure that the good of all Azeroth is placed first."
Bellon stood. "Thank you. I will have left the planet by the time the negotiations take place. I wish you success." He bowed and left the room.
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