Chapter 2 – A ride in the wind

As Sylvanas and Jaina approached the opening of the forest, Jaina spotted Sylvanas' deathcharger. She couldn't believe that she was about to mount a dead horse with a dead woman. She swallowed nervously but didn't let it show. There was something about the Banshee Queen that fascinated Jaina. She couldn't exactly put her finger on it but it was something about the authority of a woman who had been so tremendously hurt in the past. Theoretically, Sylvanas should have been a broken mess considering what she has been through, however she was a queen. Jaina had always admired Sylvanas' strength but never engaged in getting to know her. After all they were meant to bitter enemies.

"Jump on my lady". Sylvanas indicated with her hand for Jaina to mount the horse. Jaina climbed the horse with help from Sylvanas' hand. "So Windrunner… Where are you taking me exactly?" Sylvanas smirked. "To Undercity of course. I wasn't going to give you a ride to the gates of Orgrimmar if that's what you thought. A major plan like this requires careful consideration without any rushed decisions. After all, you are wanting Varian Wrynn and Vol'jin to shake hands". Jaina tasted those words and crinkled her nose. "Yeah when you say it out loud Windrunner, it doesn't really sound doable". "Everything is doable my lady". Sylvanas replied in her usual cold voice and mounted her deathcharger. "Now hold tight. I am not known for being a slow rider". Jaina believed that truthfully and wrapped her arms around Sylvanas' cold waist. She caught herself blushing. Jaina had always considered Sylvanas Windrunner as an unapproachable person even for conversation, yet here she sat with her arms around her. Although she was cold, she felt warm to Jaina. "So… I take it this horse of yours can fly?" Sylvanas smiled and shook her. "Of course my lady".

The cold wind nearly swallowed Jaina mid-air and she clung to Sylvanas as tight as she could. Sylvanas quickly realized that Jaina must be freezing. She could not feel the temperature of course but she could tell Jaina was cold by how tight she held her. A part of her didn't want to lower the altitude as nobody had held her this tight before. It made Sylvanas feel alive for the first time in years. She barely knew Jaina, but she could already feel her fondness for the young mage grow. Sylvanas closed her eyes and let herself be happy, just for a moment. She knew it couldn't last of course, but here up in the air she could afford to be vulnerable.

"Brrrr… Sylv… I mean my lady…" Jaina tried to get Sylvanas' attention. She couldn't bare this cold any longer. Without speaking, Sylvanas navigated the deathcharger to a significantly lower altitude and Jaina could feel the temperature rising already. In the distance she could see the sun rising over the plagued landscape of Tirisfal Glades. "I must warn you Lady Proudmore, my people aren't the nicest to outsiders. Don't take it personal if the hiss at you". "H… Hiss at me?" Sylvanas laughed and the deathcharger sped up as they went in for a glorious landing at Undercity.