This story is a direct sequel to my story Lion's Trial. If you have not yet read Lion's Trial, I'd suggest heading there first as the characters and events established in my first story are referenced heavily in this work, and it won't make much sense otherwise.

Spoiler alert for Warlords of Draenor! If you have not completed the full Nagrand quest line, proceed with caution, as there are major spoilers for the Nagrand finale.

Lion's Vengeance

Varian

Varian Wrynn, High King of the Alliance, strode determinedly through the sleeting rain that blanketed the human city of Stormwind. Today was a dark day. Two weeks after his disastrous trip to the wilds of Tanaan Jungle, Varian now had the grim task of executing the man who had betrayed him.

The trial had been deliberately quick and quiet. Varian had no desire to draw attention to the actions of a mad man when the need for unity and morale amongst the Alliance had never been higher. Additionally, no one had any desire to prolong the life of a would-be kingslayer.

In the end, the trial had been little more than a formality. Aleister Croft, the accused, had confessed to the crime, and there were numerous reliable witnesses to his treason. The sentence was pronounced quickly and with little deliberation. Even Croft had refused to speak in his own defense, accepting his fate with little more than a derisive snort. Today, he would be forced to accept the consequences of his actions.

Varian rarely attended executions. In truth, only a few crimes carried the penalty of death under the law of Stormwind and the Alliance, and executions themselves were rare events. Today would be rarer still, in that Varian intended to commute the sentence himself. He was not, by nature, a forgiving man, and he considered treason the greatest sin a man could commit. Rightly or wrongly, Varian always acted with his love of the Alliance, and of his people, foremost in his mind. To him, treason against the Alliance was intolerable and utterly unforgivable. Some may have thought that Varian's interest in this case was a result of his injury by Croft's actions, but the injury and death of many brave and loyal Alliance soldiers rankled him far more than any personal losses he had suffered.

Despite his feelings on the matter, Varian found himself approaching the Stormwind Stockades with dispassion. He was not here to exact revenge, he was here to mete out justice. Today he was Varian the King, not Varian the man, and he would behave accordingly.

As he stepped through the stonework archway of the Stockades followed by a company of his best guards, he was welcomed by the stern-faced Warden Thelwater. Varian shook the water out of his long hair as his eyes adjusted to the flickering torchlight inside the Stockades. Warden Thelwater stood to proud attention, his one good eye focused intently on Varian. The Warden was flanked by a number of Stockade guards, who matched their commander's stiff stance. Genn Greymane was also there, as well as a surprising number of Stormwind nobles and clergy. Evidently, word of the execution had spread quickly.

Varian did a double take as he recognised a face in the crowd that he most certainly hadn't expected to be in attendance. Admittedly, one of the last times he'd seen Auriana Fenwild, she'd been lying on the jungle floor in battle-stained field clothing with a shattered leg. She looked very different in her immaculate Kirin Tor robes, with her hair softly curled and shining. Nevertheless, he could recognise her still by her high, gaunt cheekbones and clever blue eyes. Surprisingly, she inclined her head ever so slightly in acknowledgement as their gaze met. Although they'd parted on relatively good, or at least neutral, terms, he had somewhat expected indifference on her behalf.

He tore his gaze away from her face a second later at a stern cough from the Warden. Varian realised that in his distraction, he'd failed to respond to the Warden's greeting.

"Good to see you again, Thelwater," he said hurriedly. "Though I wish it were under better circumstances."

"Indeed," the Warden agreed in his gravelly voice. "I suppose there's no point drawing this out. You're still determined to do this yourself then, my Lord?"

"Croft will meet his fate by the hand of his King," Varian said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As he spoke, he shot a sideways glance at Auriana, and saw the barest hint of surprise flash over her stoic face as she realised Varian himself would be the one to end Aleister Croft's life.

"Very well," Warden Thelwater said with a sigh, and motioned two guards forward. "Fetch the prisoner."

No one spoke a word as they waited for Croft's arrival. The room was thick with tension, and Varian watched as the nobles shifted uneasily. Varian found himself wanting to go over and speak to Auriana, but he knew now was not the time. He could feel her eyes boring into the back of his neck, and wondered what she was thinking.

The guards returned minutes later, guiding Croft between them. Prison had obviously been unkind to the man. Even though he'd only been incarcerated for two weeks, he looked skinny and disheveled. That said, his time in the Stockades had clearly failed to dull his air of arrogant superiority. Even now, facing death, he stared back at Varian with cultured disdain, as if it were Varian who had betrayed him.

"Face up or face down, Croft?" Thelwater asked drily.

Evidently, the Warden of Stormwind was not a man to mince words.

''Up," Croft snarled. "I'm no coward."

"Very well. Any last words?"

Croft's eyes narrowed, and his furious stare fell upon Varian.

"What could I possibly say? What's done is done. I'll see you in hell, Wrynn."

Varian sighed. He didn't know what he'd hoped for, perhaps some kind of contrition, but Croft was defiant to the last.

"As you wish," Varian said gravely. "Guards."

Varian unsheathed Shalamayne as the guards forced Croft into the stocks. The great sword made an ominous grating noise as it was freed, but Croft didn't so much as flinch as he stared at the monstrous blade.

If nothing else, he has courage, Varian thought. What a waste.

Varian allowed himself a sidelong glance at Auriana. She stood stock still with dead eyes, like a perfectly carved stone statue. She was not looking at Croft, however, but at Varian. Her expression was unreadable.

Varian forced himself to turn away, and he focused on the grim business at hand. He nodded at Warden Thelwater, indicating his readiness.

"By order of High King Varian Wrynn, Aleister Croft is to be executed by beheading, for the crime of high treason against the Kingdom of Stormwind and the Alliance. The sentence is to be commended upon this day, by the hand of the King," Thelwater said formally.

The Warden turned to Croft. "May the Light have mercy on your soul."

There was no further deliberation. Varian raised Shalamayne high, ready to give the death blow. Croft was secured face up, and stared at Varian with vicious eyes and a fearless smirk. Despite Croft's defiance, Varian didn't hesitate. He dealt a powerful downward blow, and Croft's head tumbled cleanly from his shoulders. As Croft's body slumped limply to the floor, Varian saw Auriana close her eyes and turn away.

The Stockade guards worked quickly to remove the body. Varian gratefully accepted a proffered rag, and wiped Shalamayne clear of Croft's lifeblood before resheathing the blade. He nodded curtly at Warden Thelwater, then turned away from Croft's corpse as it was moved. Varian had no desire to waste even one more second of his time on the traitor.

The formerly silent crowd of noblemen were suddenly animated, discussing the execution with great vigor. Varian saw Auriana move towards the exit, pushing her way through the crowd. He wanted badly to talk to her. He knew she and Croft had been friends, and he knew that it couldn't have been easy to witness his demise. More than anything, he wanted to assure himself that she didn't blame him for the series of events that had lead to Croft's death.

Varian moved swiftly through the crowd, ignoring all attempts to speak to him, but Auriana was both smaller and faster. She slipped through the crowd like a wisp. By the time Varian stepped out of the Stockades and onto the cobbled streets of Stormwind, she was simply gone, vanishing like a ghost into the dull grey afternoon.