Chapter 49
The one Forsaken by the Light
Sheylann waved her hands around producing a swirling green light. The full concentration of her being fixated on her healing spell that wrapped their way around Shaw's body.
"No man has ever had a better girlfriend." The brown eyes drifting shut as he leaned back in the over stuffed pillows. The pain he had been feeling now nothing more then a memory. It was good to be alive.
Sheylann moved to sit on the bed and patted his leg with affection. She heaved a tired sigh and lectured him. "Healing does not come as easy to me as it used to. You are very lucky I can do it at all."
He popped one eye open to look at her. "If you ever stop healing entirely I will have my men hunt you down and lock you in the basement of the SI-7."
Sheylann chuckled at that and looked over at her lover. "So you believe you can reclaim your place in Stormwind?"
"Perhaps." Shaw threw an arm over his eyes. He had no idea what to expect when he got back. He was not a fan of being in the dark. Knowing everything there was to know is what he excelled at.
"So tell me what happened?" She moved to lay next to him. An arm going around his waist. She was relaxed in form, but if Shaw could see her face, he would see that was not how she felt. The seething rage at his former condition still burned brightly in the silvery glow of her eyes.
"Bascomb was using mind control on Fox. I suspect in the form of a Priest. Although, it was more complicated then I has suspected. Possibly two working on her at once. I blame myself." Shaw confessed. "I should have had my eye on her more closely, but she doesn't like the intrusion on her life style. Royal and Noble are raised with us watching their every move. Fox lived a life avoiding attention. If we do get her back, that has to change. She will hate me for it, but I will have someone tailing her to the end of her days."
"Fox's mind, may well be fractured by such actions. Mind control has been strictly regulated in Darnassus. Most forms are down right illegal within the Night Elf community because of such issues." Sheylann looked up at him as she stretched out against his body on the bed. She was assuring herself that he was fine now that she had tended his wounds.
"Then Tyrande has an issue, since I suspect Astarii of having a hand in this." Shaw watched Sheylann flinch at the name. "As Goldenleaf's mentor, I am sure you know all about the Sister of Elune."
"She is nothing more then a troublesome child, and Tyrande will be distressed over the implications. Astarii will not get out of this without punishment, but I doubt she will be relieved of her position with in the Sisters of Elune." Sheylann rolled over top of Shaw, and looked down at him. "Who is the second Priest that could have had a hand in this?"
"I am unsure." Shaw sighed and reached up to drag a hand over her cheek. Staring at her glowing silver eyes. "The only one close to her was Damiana, and since Crimson sent her to watch over Fox, I dismissed her hand in all of this."
The sound of china crashing to the floor brought the couples eyes to the door. Crimson was visibly shaking as she stood there. The fragments of her refreshment tray at her feet. The golden eyes wide, as if she did not believe what she had heard.
"Oh." Sheylann bolted up right. "Crimson, we do not have all the details yet."
"It's Damiana. What other details are needed?" Crimson's voice was calm. Almost silky in it's tone.
Shaw watched as Sheylann climbed off the bed and moved toward the Warlock. "Crim, you must remain calm. I will go to Stormwind with Shaw and handle the situation personally."
Crimson ignored Sheylann's attempts to calm her. Instead she pinned her commanding golden eyes on Shaw. The question asked could not go unanswered. "Tell me, Rogue, did the Priestess truly have the nerve to say I sent her?"
"That is what Fox told me. You had assigned her in watching over the progression of her pregnancy." Shaw wished he had lied the moment the words were out of his mouth. The pupils of Crimson's eyes flexed and a familiar sensation of arcane power rippled over the room. It felt like a bubble just waiting to pop.
"I already promised myself I would kill her. It seems I will have to tolerate her continued existence a while longer to make her suffer for this added offense." The voice was low as if uttering an incarnation which summoned forth great evil. The window in the room starting to shake.
Sheylann put her hand out to Crimson's shoulder and stopped just short. "You are in no state to be around people. I beg you, let me handle this for you. Stay here in Hearthglen and play with Paladins."
"It is to late for that. I have finally located her after all these years. I bid the two of you farewell. I am catching a gryphon from here."
The door slammed as Crimson left the room. Sheylann looked as if she was going to lose it in the next moments. She paced the floor. A hand rushing through her hair. Stopping she looked at Shaw. "We have to follow after her. I doubt we can get to Stormwind in time to stop her from causing some damage, but it might not be a complete disaster."
"A disaster? Shey, what are you saying?" Shaw came off the bed slowly. "I know that Crimson is pretty high up there when it comes to power, but surely she will not be cutting a path through Stormwind in search of Damiana."
"She will not consciously do that, no. But there is no telling how bad this could get. You don't think she stays away from main cities for no good reasons, do you?" Sheylann swept around the bed and to the dresser. Opening it she began pulling out reagents. "I will bring everything I have. There is no telling what I will be needing."
"Sheylann." Shaw stared at her. Sheylann was typically sporadic in her actions. Some might even consider her more then a bit unbalanced at times, but this reaction had him wondering. "Tell me who Crimson is, really?"
Sheylann froze and spun to face him. The pain on her expression as if stuck in a nightmare. "Mathias."
He jolted at the tenderness in her tone, and the use of his name. This was bad! Really bad.
"Do not ask that question. Do not wonder it even in your most secret thoughts." Tears formed in the silver eyes as a hand rose to her mouth. There was almost a moan in the Druid's voice as she added. "The last person I loved, who asked that question, has gone beyond my reach. Do not make me go through it again."
"What do you mean? I don't see how exposing her to me would cause you any issue. I am a Spy Master. Keeping secrets is my livelihood."
Sheylann closed her eyes and swallowed hard. "Mathias, if you press this anymore, I will be forced to end you by my own hand, such is my duty I have sworn too."
When she opened her eyes and locked them on his own, Mathias knew she was not lying. She was completely prepared to kill him where they stood. He did what all great Rogues do in that moment. He lied. "Alright. I will relent this to you. Let's get going before Crimson does something we all regret." He said the words and Sheylann wanted to believe it so deeply, she never questioned him. He used her love against her. It was a terrible thing to do, but if the secret the Warlock carried was so great, he had to know what it was. The most important thing in his life was protecting Stormwind. After all there could never be another Katrana Prestor incident under his watch ever again.
O0O0O0O0O0
Bascomb watched as his men help Fox down from the coach. Two of them taking each arm in a firm hold. The chains were produced, and he watched her try to step back. It was clear she had no liking for them. The knowledge that this one thing actually got to her was pleasing.
"Why do you do this to her?" Gracie Fulbright tried to reason with him. She kept her eyes on Fox wishing there was something she could do. "My daughter can do nothing to you now. She is pregnant and unarmed."
Bascomb looked over at the commoner. "You think I am ignorant of what a Stormwind Assassin can do? She has been trained to kill by Mathias Shaw's agency. I don't even trust her in those chains without you here to stay her actions."
He turned and motioned his men to bring Fox through Moonbrook. The people in residence had never been loyal to Wyrnn's Stormwind. For all things had changed in the past years, they were still the same. Several residence moving out of their way. It did not take long before they were deep within the mines. Bascomb pointing to a large iron loop that had been drilled into the rock.
Fox was presented with a collar not much different then the ones used by the Horde. "This again? Are you trying to remind me of my enslavement in Orgrimmar?"
"This is because I do not put it past you to cut off a limb to escape at some point." Bascomb told her as it was bolted down and then firmly locked. "You will be given enough food and water to keep you alive until the child is born." He looked over at one of his guards. "I mean barely enough. She should be physically stressed enough to induce and early labor. I want her done away with as soon as possible."
"You are a monster!" Gracie cried out, and tried to rush forward to strike Bascomb, but was pulled back hard.
"Don't worry, Mom. Someday this child will rise up against him." Fox called back to her. "Even if I die, the blood line will continue."
"Lothar's line must continue, even I realize that." Bascomb growled low. "As much as I wish to snuff it out, there is much to be gain from your baby. I may hate you, but I am no fool."
"I was talking about Ondrena Manston and my own." Fox lifted her chin high in pure defiance. "Someday you will awake with my daughter's knife to your throat."
Bascomb laughed at that. A hand slapping on his knee. "I doubt that, since the real child of Wyrnn and Lothar will not know of their heritage. I have already made plans to substitute the baby I hand over to King Wyrnn with another."
"What will you do with my grandchild?" Gracie yanked hard trying to break free.
"I will have it raised amongst my most loyal. Somewhere no one will interfere." Bascomb motioned to the guard holding Gracie. Then turned to Fox. "Now that you are settled in your final resting place, I have no further use for Mrs Fulbright."
"No!" Fox felt her eyes flare wide. Knowing exactly what he meant by those words.
The blade appeared from no where, and as Ondrena Manston had died, so did Gracie Fulbright. Fox relived her worst moments all over again. History perfectly repeated as her adoptive mother perished. Bascomb keeping his eyes on Fox as she crumpled to the ground. This time even tears abandoned her.
"I did everything you asked of me. Why did you have to kill her?" Fox screamed up at him.
"Because she was loyal to you, but now there is no one left in all the world. You are utterly alone, just as I planned from the first. Give my regards to Ondrena in hell." Bascomb was done with his vengeance. It had turned out just as he planned with no miscalculation and not a single misstep. All that was left was to leave and await word that Fox succumbed to her fate. He left with his men never bothering to look back. Not an ounce of remorse in his heart for what he had done.
Fox glared after him. She was not alone. As long as Stromgarde stood in her name, she was not alone! She knew her people, and even if she died here, this would not be the end of it.
O0O0O0O0O0
The gryphon landed and Crimson threw her leg off the mount. She felt numb. The ride had been long, but to her it was a blur of whirling thoughts, as she tried to maintain her composure. The closer she came to the city the harder it was.
"Welcome to Stormwind!" The Flight Master waved at her with open invitation.
The action was ignored. With each step the rage grew. Years of bad blood between the Warlock and Shadow Priest had lead to this moment. The moment the foot hit the cobblestone road in the trade district the dark magic began to swirl around her. Unbidden the streams of drain soul reaching out to touch innocent bystanders.
Sheylann and Shaw had pressed their mounts and were not far behind. Sheylann turning into a panther and racing down the ramp, as Shaw sprinted after her. The victims strewn around the road. Some slumped against buildings and others plainly lying on the ground. It looked as if a wave of death had passed over them.
"By the Light! What the hell happened here?" Shaw stared in open horror. He had suspected that there would be some kind of reaction, but had more expected Crimson to fight with the guards. There was not a trace of combat.
Sheylann transformed again and knelt by one guard. Pulling back his helm to place her fingers to his throat. A sigh of relief as she looked over at Shaw. "They are alive, but probably missing fragments of their souls. She is not in full control right now, just as I feared from the first."
"King Wyrnn is not going to like this!" Shaw surveyed the scene. "Can you heal them?"
Sheylann's head shot up at that. The mere suggestion made her feel faint. "Are you crazy? Look at the amount of people here."
"So that's a no?"
"Even if I had the time, which I don't, its a no. Plus, the first place Crimson will be going is the Main Keep. Since that is most likely where she will find Bascomb or Damiana." Sheylann stood up and ran down the empty road. "We have no time to lose."
Shaw was quickly at her heels. "You don't think she will harm King Wyrnn, do you?"
"I have no doubt she is going to harm every single person that comes within casting range." Sheylann warned him
"Son of a..."
Sheylann nodded. "Indeed. The only good part is, no one is looking for you."
A voice broke in at Sheylann's statement. "In that you would be wrong."
Shaw was shoved behind Sheylann's over protective form as Amber unstealthed near them. "If you want him, you are going to have to go through me." Sheylann put a hand forward to warn the SI-7 Agent off.
"If I wanted him I would have shot him from a roof top." Amber saluted Shaw. "Spy Master Shaw, Learen sends his regards."
"I thought you were not here to kill me." Shaw reached to his side and put his hands on his swords. Learen may have bested him, but Amber was not as formidable in melee combat.
"None of the SI-7 Agents Learen has freed from the Stockades have any intention of harming you, Spy Master. He has been very clear that running the organization takes up to much of his time from more pleasurable pursuits. Such as stabbing the Horde. We have been instructed to find and return you as soon as possible." Amber smiled brightly. "He even offered us an extra months wages to the successful party."
"You have got to be kidding me. Damn that Learen, I wish he would stop playing games with us like this. I don't know if I should kill him or promote him!" Shaw spat out, and turned his dark brown eyes on Sheylann. He clearly wanted to get back to the SI-7.
"Go to the SI-7, Shaw, and see who you still have. Do me a favor and lock Learen up when you get there. When I am done with Crimson, I am going to come by and deal with him personally." Sheylann tossed a kiss to Shaw's cheek.
Shaw grabbed her arm to stop her from moving on without him. "Can you handle this alone? From what we saw in the Trade District, this might not be the wisest of choices."
Sheylann looked thoughtful and confessed truthfully. "I am not sure. Which is why I am sending you to the SI-7. If Crim wants to drain the souls out of half of Stormwind, and summon a legion of demons, I don't think there is anything we can do about it."
"Demons?" Amber pulled her gun from her back not liking the sound of that.
"No! I have to protect her." Sheylann shook her head. "Just go secure Old Town and the SI-7. I will meet you there."
Shaw watcher her run off toward the main keep shaking his head.
"What was all that about?" Amber asked following his stare.
"No clue, but I aim to find out." Shaw looked over at his agent. "Just not right now. Let's go, Amber. The sooner we deal with Learen and position our SI-7 Agents, the better chance we have of saving Lady Lothar from Lord Bascomb's grip."
O0O0O0O0O0O0
The guards were dropping like flies. Varian saw the Warlock coming and was going to greet her when his men started falling to the gorund. Crimson merely walking past them as she advanced.
Braelyn had looked up with excitement. Believing that Crimson was there to help them in this hour of need. Varian had barely any time to pull her around behind the throne for cover.
"Where is the Shadow Priest Damiana." Crimson called into the room. She stood like an angry goddess as the dark power ebbed and flowed in thick black and purple bands. They wavered randomly. Which made them nearly impossible to avoid. The sound of her voice echoing against the stone. "I know she has taken refuge within the walls of Stormwind."
"I am right here, Warlock." Damiana walked in from the Stormwind Library upon hearing the summons. "It's been a long time, Crim."
Crimson's robes swirled around her as she spun to face the other woman. If it was from the movement or the dark waves of radiant black magic was indiscernible. The only clear part was her fury escalated to an even higher level. A hand rose to form a glowing red spell in her hand. There was no intention of playing any childish games.
"I would hold if I were you. I have your precious little Rogue as a hostage." Damiana felt secure with Bascomb's guard behind her. Almost all of the city was under Bascomb's control, and she was right up there with him in that. "Besides, my powers have grown since we last met. You may want to rethink openly attacking me."
Crimson stopped moving for a mere moment. The glowing orb slowly crushed in her hand to fractured pieces.
Varian motioned for Braelyn to stay where she was with out words. Rising to move around to watch the confrontation. What Crimson said next stopped his heart.
"Like Fox's life means anything in the face of the rage I have for you, Damiana. Now die." The hand with the orb lifted. The other hands moving so the fingers could flick out pieces of her spell toward Damiana.
The Priestess gasped and raised her shield in an attempt to divert the projectiles, but they merely passed through into various joints of Damiana's body. Each one a burning seed of pulsing pain. A healing spell thrown only caused them to bubble over and explode. A cry of inhuman agony as the Priestess dropped to her knees. She looked up at the Warlock, willing herself not to rock in pain. She was to fearful of more damage to try her healing herself again.
"Crimson! I will not permit you to harm Damiana when Fox's life could be forfeit by it!" Varian called out, and made to move toward the Warlock.
A hand rose to signal him to stop where he was. The flat of her palm high in the air. "Do not interfere with this. It has nothing to do with Stormwind or the Alliance. This is a personal matter, years in coming, your Majesty. It can not be left unpunished." Crimson never moved her attention from her foe. Fixated as if one mere glance away could cause her to loose her prey.
Sheylann rushed into the room at that moment. She did not slow her pace until she was firmly between Varian and Crimson. "Think what you are doing Crimson. Keep your wits about you."
Damiana groaned and looked up at the Warlock. "She has no wits. She is evil incarnate with no light in her soul at all. Crimson told me herself that the Light can not abide her." Then she forced her eyes shut and shouted. "Damn you to the Nether! What kind of spell was that?"
"You are not the only one who has grown stronger. Over the years Although you should have heeded Tirion's words about dabbling with black magics, namely MINE!" A hand thrust forward as a link formed between the two. Crimson calling forth the soul of her enemy into her hand. "You touched to much that belonged to me and thought I would not retaliate? You are a fool."
Varian moved, but Sheylann turned to seize his arm. "Leave it! This has to be done." The look on her face stern.
"The punishment should fit the crime. I am not above her execution for her hand in Bacomb's schemes, but removing her soul is a cruelty I find to extreme." Varian called out. The blue eyes pinned on the Warlock's hand. The pink glow of the soul gem forming before he could take any action at all. Was it so easy to lose ones soul? No, it was not. Crimson's skill was deadly accurate.
Crimson's smile was radiant as she stared intently at the prize in her hand. "Well, look at this. You do have a soul after all. Oh, my mistake, you had a soul." The hand clinching down causing it to fracture.
Damiana rose to her feet attempting to invade the Warlocks mind. After so much time practicing the skill, it was painfully obvious that Crimson had the spirit of a human and a Warlock's unbreakable iron will. It was of no use to try and manipulate her foe.
Sheylann's hand balled in a fist. She called out urging her friend on. "Finish her, Crim. It's time we see this finished."
Crimson shook her head and looked to Varian. "But the High King has already demanded I make sure that the punishment fit the crime. And if I am not mistaken, he does not want me to actually kill her until Fox has been rescued."
"You have got to be kidding me? You have waited years for this moment." Sheylann snarled over at her friend. "I have had to listen to you complain about her for an eternity. Do way with her as you dreamed of."
"I am not letting her off, Sheylann. She messed in Fox's mind. So I will return the favor." The golden eyes filled with the black burning void as she looked at Damiana.
Even Sheylann rearing back in surprise at Crimson's out pouring of darkness.
The Priestess's heart slammed hard as an all consuming fear invaded her thoughts, and took control of her mind. The hands gripping the side of her head and the fingers pulling on her hair. She screamed and then screamed again. The images that reached her mind, a torturous gift for her alone.
Braelyn had come out from her place and clasped both hands over her mouth at the sight. She was a peace maker. A person against violence and hatred. What she was bearing witness too was so far removed from anything she had ever witnessed. She clasped a hand over her mouth and turned away going pale.
Varian realized Braelyn's distress instantly. He moved to shield the young woman. "Crimson!" He had no idea how to get the Warlock to stop with out killing her. That was an action he did not want to take knowing Fox's feelings.
"I know, it is disturbing for the more delicate of sensibility." Crimson sighed looking over at the little Hunter. "I will remove her from your sight. The punishment was not meant to frighten the innocent." Crimson reached into the void with her thoughts and summoned forth the void walker. The demon did not have to be commanded to his mistresses will. He lurched forward and wrapped his body around the terrified Priestess. Then dissipated back to the void. The sound of Damiana's voice fading with his departure.
"By the Light!" Varian stammered over himself. Never had he seen the like of it, and he had seen much. He pinned his gaze on Crimson. "What have you done?"
"Met out a punishment worthy of the crime. I leave you to collect your bride on your own. I have expended much of my power already in this endeavor. I am sure you can handle the rest." Crimson bowed low and turned to leave.
Varian shaking his head in disbelief. "How do you know about that. Warlock? Once again you know things you shouldn't!"
"Do not ask something you don't want answers too." Crimson looked over her shoulder at him.
Varian was going to press on, but Sheylann shook her head. "Leave it there, your Majesty. You have to find Fox, and I need to go make sure Shaw is safe while he retakes the SI-7."
"Shaw is alive?" Varian gasped. A look of joy passing over his face.
Sheylann nodded, but was eager to be off. "I brought him back to you in better condition then he left. Someday you should thank me." She ran after Crimson. The guards rising a few moments after the Warlock had passed. "Crim!"
Crimson stretched out her arms in a slow yawn. "I think I could sleep for days after that."
Sheylann's eyes narrowed. "You let her live. You do realize, I am disappointed in you for that."
"Let death be a blessing for her, not a punishment." Crimson shrugged as she looked longingly at the Cathedral District. "So what do you intend to do about Learen?"
"I am going to pop his little head right off his shoulders, then shove a stick into his brain and use him as a puppet." Sheylann's voice was graveling.
"Ouch." Crimson leaned away, but made no move to argue with the Druid.
"He hurt my Shaw!" Sheylann's fingers curled to almost talons. "No one is allow to hurt my man."
Crimson smiled and laughed. "Dually noted, dear friend."
Author Note: And Crimson takes out Damiana! Finally! Bascomb's luck has just run out. It's all down hill for him. And the race is on, who will get to Fox first?
