Chapter 22
Psychological Warfare
Fox moved through the shadow toward her target. She had fought overwhelming odds before. The difference was she just had to hold out until her reinforcements arrived. Falstad Wildhammer was the closest one she had, and he would be an hour out. Taking a moment to reach to her side to pull up her vial of poison. The daggers were hastily coated with trembling hands. There was no time to be precise as the screams of the children rang in Fox's ears. Looking up to see the Forsaken pulling the family apart.
Time was up. The silent Fox that watched and waited was finally ready to move. Years of perfecting her skills for this moment. Fox moved in. She tossed a distraction to the group, hoping to divert their attention. Circling close she stunned one of her targets. She pulled up her blinding powder and let it fly. That was all she had to buy her time.
A deep breath expelled as she watched one of the Forsaken dropping his sword down on the helpless woman as she begged him to let her children go. That was all the poor mother wanted before submitting to her fate. The sword never came to its target. Fox struck out, appearing before the entire group. The ambush dropping her foe with one strike.
The rest of the Forsaken caught completely off guard at the Rogue appearing in their midst. They had gone unopposed by all until now. Considering that it was just a single Rogue. A small woman with flashing blades. In their shock they lost three more to her twirling daggers. Each strike hitting with a perfection Fox had never experienced before. She was finding a fighting balance easily enough.
The little boy breaking free and grabbing up the sword that had been destined to take the life of his mother in his hands. He came to Fox's side. Settling into a fighting stance.
The woman grabbing up her young daughter, and coming behind Fox seeking protection. "Light Bless you!" She cried out.
"I wouldn't thank me just yet." Fox turned her dagger so that the blade was pointing to her elbow. She lifted it before her face to signal she was ready for any attack the rest of the Forsaken had planned. "I have not killed them all yet. So be prepared to run if I go down!"
"Killed us all? Ha!" One of the undead shouted over at her. "You caught us off guard, Rogue! You, too, will be offered up to Sylvanas."
"Then, please, stop wasting my time." Fox said with more calm then she felt. Where did the assurance in her voice come from?
Angered at her lack of fear, the undead rushed her. The trade mark sweep brought him down. One of her blades driving through his wrist pinning him to the ground. He tried to get back up, "You Bitch!"
The dagger less hand, now free, reached to take up her throwing knives. They fanned out before her. Letting them fly and three more of her enemies went down. That left four, and they were starting to back away. "Don't try to run. It will not do you any good." Fox narrowed her eyes on them.
Two rushed her and the other two turned to run. Fox moved into her blade fury. She disappeared and reappeared by the fleeing targets. Each strike driven home. The poison would do the rest. The one charging her spun to come back and she disappeared again. The move repeated with the same results.
The lone Forsaken pinned the the ground staring in numb horror. "The Dark Lady will see you suffer for this deed. She will not allow you to go unpunished for opposing her!"
Fox pulled her dagger from his wrist and looked him in the eye. "Good. You go tell her that Lady Lothar demands the Dark Lady and her Forsaken army depart Arathi while she still can."
"Lothar?" the Forsaken scrambled back holding his wrist. "The Alliance Lion has returned?"
"I am no Lion! No where near as forth right as my father, and don not have half his honor. Now get out of my sight!" Fox pointed toward Thoradin's Wall. "Deliver my message for all the good it will do."
The undead ran, and Fox looked back at the family. "Are you alright?"
"Are you truly Lady Lothar?" The woman started to cry. "Have you come to save us?"
"Of course, she has Mommy!" The boy moved before Fox and dropped to one knee. "My Lady! I am Theodan, a farmers son, but I pledge my loyalty and blade to your service."
Fox was stunned speechless. The boy could be no more then ten. Composing her self she nodded, "Then rise Sir Theodan, as the first of my men in Arathi."
"Thank you for accepting me. I might be young and unskilled, but I will fight with you." His young face full of glowing pride.
"That is good, because my plan is to retake Stromgrade immediately, and help those like you establish a foothold under my command." Fox watched the family. The news was exciting to them.
"You have not forgotten us as Stormwind has?" The woman fell to her knees holding her baby to her chest as she rocked. The large tears in her eyes, "Light Bless! Light Bless!"
"High King Wyrnn has not forgotten you. I had been summoned from Stormwind by the request of Irongforge." Fox protected Varian's position. She had known that the Alliance had done little in the wake of South Shore. Mending these fences with a few white lies could do little harm. Fox herself certainly would not be telling them otherwise.
O0O0O0O0O0O
Varian stepped through the portal to Ironforge. Mrs. Hawke had handed over the magical duties to a few gnomes. They stood around carefully holding the streams of incoming travelers, with intent dedication. He watched as Braelyn rushed past him and into her mother's arms.
"I was so worried, Mom!" The woman's brown hair falling in loose waves over her back.
"There, dearest, I have been doing this sort of thing far longer then you have been alive. But maybe now you will heed me when I ask you not to worry me so." Ellysan stroked the top of her daughter's head with a gentle touch.
"Where is Lady Lothar? Is she still in the High Seat?" Varian asked. He wanted nothing more then to find her. To assure himself that she was unharmed from her fight with the Forsaken forces. The look that Mrs. Hawke shot him stopped his heart. There was only one reason for it. So he asked bluntly, "Where did she go now?"
"She flew out on Seb with Falstad Widhammer to assault Sylvanas's forces in Arathi. She asked me to tell you, that she could do nothing else when others were dying. The Lady wanted to be of aid." Ellysan let go of Braelyn as she spoke.
"Damn it to the Nether!" Varian rushed out of the chambers. The loud stomping of his plate boots ringing in the room.
"This is terrible." Braelyn paled. She started after him, but her mother took her arm.
"Brae, what's wrong?" Ellysan whispered her eyes looking to the archway that Varian had just passed through. "I understand he is upset about her actions, but the look on his face is not anger. I know fear when I see it. The Lady Lothar is a skilled fighter, so it doesn't make sense."
Braelyn shook her head debating if she should tell what she knew. In the end, she decided to keep the King's secret from her mother. "There is a reason for it, but I can not say anything about it yet. King Wyrnn trusts me, and I will not break it even for you."
"Alright. I guess I can understand." Ellysan sighed and looked over to the channeling Gnomes. She wanted to make sure they didn't let the arcane streams slip away.
"I am going after him. He needs someone at his side to help him make rational decisions." Braelyn rushed after Varian.
Ellysan frowned at her head strong child. A feeling of worry flowing through her as strong as any magic. She didn't like any of this, but what could she say when she wasn't sure just what was wrong.
"King Wyrnn! King Wrynn!" Braelyn watched him slow his stride and turn toward her. As she came to his side he returned to his course. Intent on reaching the High Seat, and learning whatever he could. "She will be fine. I have seen her in combat. She is most skilled. Mathias Shaw regards her highly as well. You must remember all of this. The stress isn't good for your decision making abilities, and we so need you level headed at this time."
"I already know this, Brealyn." Varian growled. He did not mean to come across aggressive to her. It was just so hard when all he wanted to do was find Fox, hold her close to his heart, and then choke the life from her for making him worry. "Things would be so much better if she was like you. Sweet, kind, rational."
Braelyn didn't even try to correct him at this moment. What he was saying was laughable. She did toss in. "What you like about me and not about Lady Lothar is that I am here."
"Yes, here is good. I wish my Lady was here."
O0O0O0O0O0O0
Sylvanas stood in her war tent listening to her advisers on the invasion of Arathi Highlands. Yes, Vol'jin was going to have an aneurysm over her little power play, but she didn't care one bit. She had grown bored in the Undercity. Without Arthas, her life had little to no meaning. Revenge that had kept her moving in her undead state had evaporated to dust upon his death. Then there had been Garrosh to contend with. It was like playing with a child. A really strong child, she did give him that. Still without Arthas's motivation and Garrosh to amuse her, she was just lost. Putting her heels to the Alliance was the best form of entertainment she could hope for. All Hail the Horde?
She almost laughed at that. Horde, her perky well rounded ass. She had little use for them these days. The Forsaken were becoming a power in their own right. South Shore had been proof enough of that. The Alliance factions had cried out in horror, but what had they done about it? Nothing. The same thing they would do about Arathi Highlands and Aerie Peak once she claimed them as her own.
The worst she would get was a slight wrist slap from her Warchief. If Vol'jin were lucky she might decide to take him in the bedroom and slap back. Maybe that would alleviate her doldrums for an hour or so.
She didn't even bother listening to her advisers as they droned on about her success. It was all she could do not to yawn in their face.
"Dark Lady!" A guard rushed in, "I am sorry for the intrusion, but we have a problem."
Sylvanas raised one eye brow. Well at least this was new. "Speak, and it better be interesting." And yes, she meant that. If it was some more common sense intelligence sent from the front she would decapitate him where he stood. She didn't need one more person repeating mind numbing garbage.
"We have been receiving word that our patrols are being slaughtered in various locations around the Highlands. There has always been one survivor sent back to recount the attack. At first, I thought it was a joke, and the opposing party would be easily dealt with by the next patrol they encountered. The tenth survivor has arrived just now."
Sylvanas looked impassive, as she waited for more of this delightful news.
"They are all delivering the same message."
"Which is?" She circled her wrist trying to get the man to speak faster.
"The Lady Lothar, Daughter of Anduin Lothar of the Alliance, demands you retreat from Arathi."
Sylvanas started to laugh. "Oh that is rich! How many men does her army contain? I will send a force around to deal with her."
"My Lady, it appears that her assaults have all been solo missions. The men say she is unstoppable in combat. The rumor is spreading fast through our ranks. The last few patrols ran the moment she appeared."
"Appeared? Like when she came into view?" Sylvanas suddenly wanted to know everything about this new threat. Threat, being a word misused. There was no way one single woman could topple her assault forces.
"No." The man looked down clearly embarrassed, "She appears to be a highly skilled Rogue with training as a Stormwind Assassin. That is all we have gleaned."
"So you are telling me that Anduin Lothar has a daughter, who turned into a Rogue working for the lack wit Wyrnn as an assassin, and this is the first I am hearing of it?" She turned and looked at her Spymaster. Raising her bow, she shot at point blank range killing him. "I am not amused."
But she was! She was thrilled to the tips of her toes. Yes she was going to kill the Lady Lothar. That was a must, but in the doing at least today would be entertaining.
An explosion rocked the very ground they were on. Then the screaming of her forces cam to her ears. Sylvanas broke the tent, with one furious arm throwing back the flap. Looking around to where a huge green plumb of smoke rose to the air on Thoradin's wall behind her.
Looking more closely there was a dark haired woman sitting high up on the wall before the blown cannon. She twirled a detonator switch on a thick cable from her finger. "Greetings Dark Lady, or shall we dispense with pleasantry, and I call you Sylvanas?"
"Lady Lothar I presume?" Sylvanas pulled her bow and aimed an arrow at her target. Sure she could hit the other woman from her position, but she wanted to question the little Human first.
"So my message has gotten through? Oh good. I was wondering seeing as you are still here in Arathi." Fox called back in a confident tone, "Taking some time to pack your toys, before heading home?"
"I am not going anywhere!"
"Really? Do you need more convincing?" Fox hit the switch on the detonator, and two more plague cannons blew further down Thoradin's wall. The ground shook again, and part of the wall gave way.
Sylvanas was impressed. "You are going to have to destroy more then a few meaningless troops and cannons to sway me, Lothar!"
"Call me Fox. I really have very little attachment to that surname." Fox came to her feet walking long the wall.
Sylvanas followed with the tip of her arrow. Part of her not wanting to take this woman down, but standing so openly against her, it could not be helped.
"You know, I have studied your combat strategies." Fox turned to look at Sylvanas again. "You certainly held out long enough against Arthas back in Quel'Thalas. So you know perfectly well that its possible for me to hold out against you." With that Fox bowed and disappeared before the Arrow could leave Sylvanas's bow
Sylvanas dropped her hands. So the woman knew her fighting strategies, did she? Sylvanas felt flattered for a moment. Then smiled. Clearly the woman didn't have a grasp on reality. If this Fox was factoring in previous battles, she would see the errors that had been made. Sylvanas had lost her battle with Arthas in the end. Just as this Fox would loose to her. "Double the men in the patrols. I want this Lady Lothar alive. If she wants to know how it felt to be against Arthas Menethil, then I will show her. I am sure she will serve me well in death."
O0O0O0O0O0O0
Fox thanked the Light that the Dark Lady could not hear her hammering heart. The plan to engage Sylvanas had worked. They were after her now, and not the refugees. Fox had bought time for the people of Hillsbrad and Arathi to bind together within the walls of Stromgrade. With the Alliance forced due to start trickling in at any moment.
Fox was certain that Falstad would go right to Stomgrade to find her. He would encounter the people she had gathered. Theodan would inform the Dwarf what to do next. She prayed that he listen to the boy, and did not disregard her plan. If they did, Fox was going to die. After the last time she had done that, it was not an experience she wished to repeat. Fox jumped down from the wall and moved into Sylvanas's tent.
No one was around, save the corpse of the previous Undercity Spymaster. She moved to the maps and leafed through them. Taking a few of the more interesting plans of attack. She pulled up a blank one and drew out a plan showing the Forsaken in full scale retreat on the top she wrote "Go Home!" Drew a heart and signed it The Crimson Fox. Nodding with satisfaction. That should endear her to the Banshee Queen to no end.
Fox rifled around some more gathering some questionable reagents to be studied later. Hearing Sylvanas complaining to her staff, as she returned to the tent. Fox faded from sight into the hold of shadow.
The two women passing a mere breath apart through the tent door. Fox moved as fast as she could out of the war camp. It did not stop the sound of Sylvanas's shrieking rage coming to her ears. "Guess she found my note?"
O0O0O0O0O0O0
Falstad looked around Stromgarde, and the amount of people arriving. Had there really been this many still alive and displaced from the invasions of Hillsbrad?
"I keep telling you Mr. Wildhammer, Sir, our Lady Lothar is not in residence at the moment.'"
Theodan crossed his arms over his tiny chest. The stolen Forsaken sword tied to a make shift scabbard on his side. The tip dragging along the dirt behind him.
"Yea, I got that. Tell me, who are ya again. Wee Bairn?"
"I am Sir Theodan! First Knight of Lady Lothar, and current First Command in her absence." The boy puffed up trying to look the Dwarf in the eye.
"I be thinkin I needa drink." Falstad dropped his head in his hand. "She left a mere babe at the helm?"
"I would not advise that just yet, Wildhammer." Fox rushed up to the two. "Theodan, Go help the others secure the gates. I have done a fine job of stirring up Sylvanas's little hornets nest. Should she send out troops this way, I want you prepared."
"Ya got some answerin to be doin, Gal!" Falstad turned large eyes on her. "But first I am glad ta see ya made it across the Great Sea in one piece. How is the Zephyr's Blade?"
"I have him secured in the stables. He needs to rest just in case I decide to take an aerial fight to the Dark Lady, but it wont be necessary. I suspect she will be routed out with hardly any blood spilled." Fox looked proud.
"Ya be drinking something funny with that boy Knight o yours?"
Fox laughed and reached up to tap her temple with one finger. "You don't fight like the Dark Lady. I have changed the battle field from military might to a game of psychological warfare. Trust me, we just waded into a far more level playing field."
"Ya mean to out smart her? Good luck wit that one!"
"She out numbers us for the time being. I assure you that King Wyrnn is on his way. The force of Irongforge, Gnomeregan, and Stormwind behind him. Sylvanas can't hold long against that."
"Until she appeals to Vol'jin and the rest of the Horde. What will happen to our unofficial truce then? Did ya think on that?"
"Let her appeal to him all she wants. Vol'jin will do nothing. She started this fight, and he will tell her to finish it. Also he will not see her as pressing the Alliance, since I have laid claim to Stromgarde. She is attacking a neutral outpost." Fox opened her arms indicating Stomgarde as she turned.
Falstad narrowed his eyes on Fox. He was fearing she might have lost her wits at this point. "How is this a holding in any fashion, Horde land?"
"I happen to be a card carrying member of the Horde. Thanks to the current Warcheif."
"That canna be true!" Falstad blinked. "How did ya manage that one?"
"King Wyrnn was there when it was declared in Orgrimmar about two and half months ago. Stromgrade is mine. This has become an internal struggle that Vol'jin will refuse to interfere with. As long as I allow Horde travel and commerce, I am just as neutral as Booty Bay."
"You are a bloody genius Gal!" Falstad cheered. "She is cut off from the majority of her aid, and you can tap into all of yours. Heck, why don't ya contact that Warchief of yours and cry foul!
Fox smiled wickedly "They didn't tag me as the Fox for no reason in the SI-7. I had thought of contacting Vol'jin, but the audience would take far to long. Also, I believe Sylvanas would just ignore his decree."
Shadows skirted above their heads, Fox looked up to see the first of the Wildhammer Gryphon riders coming in. "Looks like your forces are starting to arrive. Falstad, I am going back to talk with the Dark Lady. I will stall for as long as I can." Fox wrung her hands before her. It was clear she worried about this portion of her plan. "I will give you three hours. After that I need you to bring the full force of Alliance forces to the gate at Thoradin's Wall."
"What are you planning, Lady?" Falstad did not like the tone she was taking.
"To follow in my father's footsteps." Fox sighed.
Falstad moved to get before her. He raised his arms wide to stop her, "Lady Lothar, your father died being lead into an ambush by Orgrim Doomhammer."
"And those who do not learn from their past are doomed to repeat it." Fox set her hand on his shoulder. "If you do as I say, I will not die. It is the best chance to end this with as little blood shed as possible."
"And if your plan fails?"
"Then Sylvanas will have her way, and I will be raised against you. If that happens, contact Mathias Shaw of the SI-7. He and Learen will take care of the rest."
O0O0O0O0O0O
Stromgarde was starting to swell with people behind her walls. They were out of sight of the Forsaken troops that had been recalled to Thorian's Wall.
The occasional explosions followed by red smoke signaled to the Alliance forces that their Lady was still moving unfettered by all of Sylvanas's efforts.
Varian wanted to go retrieve her, but Falstad was the first to warn him of the foolishness of such an act. They had no idea where Fox was other then neck deep in Forsaken. He turned and watched the Alliance Warlocks opening summoning stations throughout the old keep. Everything from Dwarven siege engines and engineer catapults and choppers had been brought in.
He had to admit, this plan was brilliant. They made sure no Forsaken, that learned of their presence, ever went back. Sylvanas was cut off from this information. She would not be prepared.
Maraudon walked up to him with Kurdran at his side. Both Dwarven leaders nodding to him, "The last touches of the grand reveal are being put into place. Falstad says there is only a half an hour before Fox said to make our move."
Varian nodded and sat down on the step. What ever Fox was planning he had to trust her. She had not failed in the past.
Braelyn came to sit next to him. "King Wyrnn, How are you doing?"
He looked over at her and smiled. "Call me Varian, Brealyn. It's the least I can do for you. Since you have been such solace counsel to me through this time."
Braelyn beamed up at him. "I would be honored, Varian, but that doesn't answer my question."
"I am a mess." Varian looked out the front gates. Sitting around doing nothing was not something he was good at. "Fox is out there alone. Why is she doing this?"
"From first hand experience, she must feel this is something she needs to do. I know you think I am somewhat of a restrained individual, but I have done my share of stupid things too." Brealyn gave an impish smile. Their blue eyes meeting.
"Jack Devereaux?" Varian chuckled.
"That's hardly the surface of it." Brealyn scowled at his mention of her ex fiance. "Please, let me forget that part of my past."
"I never signed the execution order. He still sits in the Stockades." Varian rubbed a hand over his face.
"Let him rot there." Brealyn wrinkled her nose in disgust.
Varian laughed, "If you wish it, perhaps I will."
O0O0O0O0O0O0
Fox stepped from the darkness that enshrouded her. She reached out a hand to tap Sylvanas on the shoulder. Only to have it grabbed with inhuman strength. She was tossed forward on to the ground. Damn, the Banshee Queen reacted fast!
"How dare you?" Sylvanas watched as the other woman arched her back in pain at the ungraceful landing. "I have sent over half my forces out to entrap you, and you appear in my personal tent?"
Fox rolled to her side and came to a sitting position. "Well, if you had been out in the main field, I would have appeared there. Did you have to throw me so hard?"
Sylvanas made a choking sound at the audacity of the woman's words. "I should kill you now for that statement alone!"
"Please, you planned on killing me since before you met me. Death and eternal service for all, and some other shit. Am I right?"
"You are witty, but I was, once upon a time, as well. It didn't save me from Arthas, and it will not save you from me." Sylvanas looked down with glowing red eyes at the lively little Human. "I will admit though, you have amused me today. I could thank you for that."
"You could pull back through the wall, and let me go. I would be more then happy to amuse you again tomorrow." Fox raised an eyebrow and smiled. It was hard to keep the expression from turning to the fear she was feeling.
Sylvanas gasped. Rushing forward to grab Fox by the hair and pulling her to her feet. With a cry of rage the Dark lady pulled back her fist and slammed it into Fox's cheek. The Human knocked out the front flap of the tent. Sylvanas followed in slow stalking steps.
Fox lay cradling her jaw while she rocked on the grass. Damn if the Dark Lady didn't have a mean hook. Fox wondered if she should put up some sort of fight. Then chose against it. Aggression would only provoke more aggression. Sylvanas was already upset at the loss of many of her Forsaken siege weapons. Yes, she wanted her angry, but not insane with rage.
The Dark Lady ignored her staring men and grabbed the Rogue by the back of the leather chest armor. Dragging her up and toward the gate of Thoradin's wall. There it was more open. All could see her dealing with the arrogant little upstart. Sylvanas's power would not be challenged. Allowing it would be a show of weakness, and that was the last thing she was. Sylvanas had faced death, defeated death, become death! Now she planned on dispersing it. Letting others feel her pain with no remorse.
Fox felt Sylvanas's fingers claw into her hair. The right grip of the elf left little to the imagination. The sound of the sword being drawn. Fox forced a smirk toward the Dark Lady. Everything was going as planned.
The razor edge bit into Fox's delicate flesh on her neck. She had to slow her breathing. One good gasp could well mean her life.
"You have made me understand why Arthas was so upset with me in Quel'Thalas today. The hit and run guerrilla tactics are quite bother some." Sylvanas hissed in Fox's ear.
"I never ran." Fox whispered. The defiance cost her as the blade nicked her neck. The blood rolling down her throat.
Sylvanas laughed at that, and smiled sweetly. "True. You didn't have the sense I did. But now you will pay just as I, with your life. I admit, I never expected such a prize, as the daughter of Anduin Lothar, bowing in eternal service to me. I will take it though."
"And what then?" Fox forced her neck away from the blade as best she could.
Sylvanas was surprised to see the resistance. "You will follow in my footsteps and serve me in undeath. There is nothing after that!"
Author Note: Oh NOES!