Chapter Twenty-Nine – Lillia
Elwynn Forest: Mirror Lake Orchard
The Inn owners were very apologetic, wishing that nothing had happened to their guests. They did say this was going on for quite some time, and with the many problems Stormwind has faced, it was unlikely the Defias culprits would ever stop.
That didn't sit well with Lillia; those bastards almost used her for their base desires, and she shuddered at what they might have done to little Amyntastrasza. So when Taelus and Argus announced their intentions of using the day (as the Party wasn't until nighttime) hunting these bastards, Lillia told them she was tagging along.
In theory the Defias Brotherhood was supposed to be a vigilante-like force that would steal from the rich and give to the poor…to each his own, and that's how Lillia would have left it.
She clenched her fists in anger.
That's not what she witnessed. The Brotherhood stole from Farmers and townsfolk; often leaving the Nobles to keep their own treasures, and they also stole dignity…pride…and purity.
The humans in Stormwind still believed such things; as did Lillia before becoming a Death Knight and it was her belief that that was how it should be.
The Brotherhood lacked honor, and took no responsibility for their debauchery and theft. And that was no different than the Scourge.
Supposedly their base was out of the Province of Westfall, and given the time, Lillia couldn't just hunt them all down…but she wished she did.
"Over here" Tael said.
Lillia ran to meet him, taking a knee just next to him.
"Where's Argus?" Lillia asked.
"He and Scrape went east of the Jasperlode Mine; that's the direction the assailant went in" Tael scratched his beard "We found the camp that usually attacks Goldshire"
"Then let's get them" Lillia said.
"Hold on" Tael said "There's a lot of them"
"So we can take them" she replied.
"Are you sure, Lilly?" Tael asked "I've seen you in battle and you're as radiant as always-"
That comment sent her heart a flutter.
"-but mindless undead is one thing, and these…people are another"
"I can take them regardless, Tael" she said "Remember, I'm a powerhouse"
"That is undeniable" Tael admitted "But I think we should try to get them to surrender, first"
"Think of all the stuff they've done!" Lillia said "What they were going to do to me-to Amyna and Mav!"
"And think about what all of the people would say, if they found out you slaughtered dozens of people without mercy-a people that have to see civil justice play out" Tael put his hand in hers.
Lillia wanted to do two things; one was hugging him so tightly, that need held her fiercely every day, though she had refrained for Mav's sake; and the other was to knock him out and kill these bastards herself.
Instead, she relented.
"We'll try it your way" she said, sheathing her Runeblade "But if they refuse…they're mine" she got up, and put him on his feet as she did so.
"That is all I'm asking" he smiled, his hands lingered in hers like they belonged there, before he walked toward the camp.
She tried it his way, but the howls and whistles thrown in her direction made her annoyed and tense. The Defias laughed at Tael's offer of surrender, and Lillia smiled her warm smile. She took out her Runeblade and ended their lives; and for a brief moment, her hunger and pleasure she had when she was in the service of the Lich King returned. It was the first time she slaughtered so many of the living since ending the Scarlet Crusade.
She looked at Tael after the carnage had ended, and the briefest of seconds showed her his horrified face. That was enough for her pain to emerge, however, the face was gone, replaced by the grim understanding that she did what needed to be done. He went up to her, and put an arm around her back, which caused her pain to ease.
"At least we gave them an option" he said "And to their credit, not one cried for mercy"
"They knew no quarter would be given" she responded, sheathing her blade "It was necessary, and sadly satisfying"
He used fire and burned the whole field.
"I'm sorry for placing the burden on you alone, Lilly" he replied "But I'm glad…you're okay"
Lillia let it go, but she knew she wouldn't be okay until the Scourge were gone…and peace is restored to the Plaguelands.
They returned to the Inn, to find a bouncing happy Amyna and an equally agreeable Moonkin. Mav had been entertaining the Dragon Whelp, while they searched for the Brotherhood's camp.
Lillia
Elwynn Forest: Stormwind City
They still had some time to kill, and Amyna wanted to see the city. Mav suggested they go to the park, which set Tael at ease…there was something in Stormwind City that had him irked, and he looked like he really didn't want to go into the city ever again.
So to the park they went; Lillia was wearing her dress she knew she'd have to wear, and the park was no place for armor and weapons. Mav, for her part was the center of attention. The Night Elves revere the Moonkin as Elune's protectors and such…and to see a Druid of her ability was exciting for them. All the Night Elves knew what Amyna was and were very respectful…almost protective of her to many of the humans who heard there was a dragon in the park. To everyone's credit, she wasn't taken away as a threat.
Lillia watched this, and felt somewhat happy inside, like this was the calm before the storm. She looked at Tael and he looked at her, and he surprised her by taking her hand…and they held hands until the excursion in the park was over.
They were walking out of the park when it happened.
"Taelus!" a few people walked menacingly towards him.
Taelus didn't change outwardly, but he squeezed her hand before letting go.
"High Sorcerer Andromath requests your presence" one said. The other just looked at Tael's companions.
"I have nothing to say to any of you" Tael looked at them.
"He insists" was the reply.
"Tael" Mav (in elf form) walked up to him "You should at least see what he has to say"
"What he has to say, more or less, has everything to do with you all, and not me" Tael said "He always was a jealous prick…as I'm sure his apprentices are as well"
"Curiosity does bespell people as well Taelus" the other one said, and smiled "He doesn't care how you managed to ensnare your companions; as I'm sure you must understand. However, there is talk that an undead warlock has walked passed our barriers and a Red Dragon has as well. The heathen spell caster will be found, but surely you must know that someone with authority given by Dalaran itself can't pass up the chance at studying a dragon"
Lillia balked. Did they honestly think Tael would give Amyna up, or that she would even if he did?
"Now this is interesting" a voice was heard shortly before a small boom, and Argus appeared "Heathen spellcaster am I? Andromath isn't so stupid as to confuse me with anyone else" he chuckled.
"You" the first one said, and pulled out his wand "Are coming with us"
"And the Dragon is as well, whoever it is" the other pointed his wand at Mavare.
"The funny thing that I see is you two giving orders" Argus remained where he was "When you have no idea who you're dealing with. But I'll indulge your High Sorcerer a bit. Say I came with you, after knocking out my companions so you can take little Amyntastrasza. What does Andromath want with either of us?"
Lillia tensed. The warlock was joking, right? He wouldn't dare knock her out!
The other mages were just as tensed.
"You have no answer for me, do you?" Argus asked "It's just as well; he was after the same woman as I was, back in the day-he has no class-your Andromath. He hated me until the end for marrying such a beautiful and talented woman, when he thought she should be his. Doubtless he wants to keep the dragon whelp for himself; giving his delusions of grandeur another pedestal. And I'm sure he would take great pleasure in studying me, he had a fascination for the dead that I had just despised when I was alive"
Scrape appeared right next to them, and quickly enthralled them with her charms.
"My dear, I have some friends that I wish to escort to the Palace, as the Ball in question will start in a few hours. I'm sure they're just dying to meet that entire political zoo that is the Alliance; so would you deliver these love struck fools to their master with this" and he handed her an envelope "I'll need you at my side when the whole Party starts so don't have too much fun with them"
Argus turned without waiting for a reply, and gestured his companions to follow him.
"I may be dead, but that doesn't mean I'd betray my friends, Lillia" he said as they walked to Stormwind Keep.
Lillia
Stormwind City: Stormwind Keep
Lillia was impressed by Stormwind Keep, and even more so by the King of Stormwind himself. Varian Wrynn looked like the kind of man that fought in the lowest, deepest crevices of the world; like he didn't take any nonsense from anyone. He wasn't political, in other words.
That suited her just fine, as she wasn't interested in being political, preferring to get straight to the point. He did seem taken by surprise when Amyntastrasza gave him a hug…but considering what she was, and the fact that she didn't just do that with anyone, it was enough to put him in Lillia's good books.
Of course he and just about everyone else at the palace was very interested in her after they found out; which irked Tael to no end…but it did grant a very good boon.
The Dragon Whelp and her companions were given guest rooms, and treated as guests of the King himself, and that served as a message to back off from the various hounds looking to get in their good books.
Argus was even given amnesty, as long as he promised he wasn't here for the Horde-and the Warlock wasn't stupid enough to give them any reason to think he was.
Lillia, Mavare, and Amyntastrasza were given one room; at the three's request, and Taelus and the Warlock were given the room next door (also on request).
They changed into their party clothes (Lillia wore her dress like always) and met Tael and Argus in the Ball room.
Lillia liked Tael's outfit; she thought it suited him-and she knew she was being biased.
"If you keep staring at him, Death Knight, the other ladies will undoubtedly take much more notice in him" Argus chose to wear what he usually wore…which didn't surprise her in the least. It made him a target, however.
'You didn't have anything to wear?" Mavare asked, fiddling with her necklace Tael bought her a while ago.
"My dear Druid, would it matter if I wore dress robes for the occasion?" the Warlock seemed amused "There's no hiding my…condition. And as such, I would have far less moronic confrontations by the delusional Stormwind nobility; the ever cunning Night Elf leadership; the obnoxious dwarves…need I go on?"
"I suppose not" Mavare looked to the ground sad.
"Do not pity me, Mavare" the Warlock chuckled "I need not such sentiments, your concern is appreciated…but that is why I am forsaken"
Lillia did take a look at the people filling the room; there were the Stormwind lot, which King Varian was trying to placate…and some humans from other countries.
The Night Elves were led by a woman Lillia guessed had to be Tyrande Wisperwind. The Dwarves and Gnomes were here as well, and she even saw what she knew to be Draenei.
"Lilly" Tael said, excited "That's Jaina Proudmoore"
Lillia spared a glance, and saw a majestic Sorceress; like a magical celebrity. She smiled for Tael.
"Tael…would you like to dance with me?" she asked, hoping…
