Chapter 3 – The Dark Lady

"Welcome home Dark Lady…" "Many greetings Banshee Queen." "My Lady Windrunner, welcome home". They had barely landed and several of Sylvanas' forsaken followers came to greet their queen upon her arrival. Jaina climbed off the deathcharger and before she had even set her feet on forsaken ground a gruesome looking undead man hissed in her face. "What is this Alliance scum doing here? Grrr…" The others also seemed shocked that their queen would bring home this enemy and muttered under their breaths. "QUIET!" Sylvanas stamped her foot in the ground so hard it trembled. "Nobody is to bother Lady Proudmoore. She is a special guest in our home with all privileges. If anyone has an issue with that…" Sylvanas paused and made her fangs visible to everyone watching. The undead surrounding Sylvanas and Jaina slowly stepped away and one woman came up to Jaina. "Pardon my rudeness my lady. I will escort you to our best guest chamber with a fireplace. Lady Proudmoore looks cold". Jaina looked at Sylvanas for approval who glanced back and nodded. Jaina took the undead woman's cold, bony hand and followed her into the depths of Undercity.

Jaina let her hand slide against the cold stone walls while she was walking. Only little candles along the corridor lit up the way they were going. They finally stopped by a spiral staircase and the undead woman gave Jaina a torch. "This leads to the guest suite chamber. May you find yourself at home there Lady Proudmoore". She bowed before Jaina. "Thank you… Sorry what is your name?" "My name is not important to someone like yourself…" The undead woman stared to the ground and Jaina thought to herself that she hadn't actually met her eyes the whole time they had been walking. "Please, tell me your name so I can thank you appropriately". Jaina smiled. "You have made me feel more welcome in this foreign place". The undead woman finally looked up. "It's Tawny, my Lady. I sell mushrooms here in Undercity". "Thank you Tawny. You have been very kind showing me to my chamber". Tawny bowed again and left Jaina to climb the stairs to enter her chamber.

Sylvanas sat by the desk in her throne room. The letters that had arrived while she had been away were all placed neatly in piles while documents with other matters sorted in folders. Sylvanas let out a sigh when Senior Sergeant Grimsford entered the room. "Ah… So it's true. Our Dark Lady returns". He kneeled before his Banshee Queen. "Rise Sergeant Grimsford. What is the purpose of your visit?" "Ehhh… well…" Sergeant Grimsford rubbed his hands together. "Speak up Sergeant!" Sylvanas' tone was ice cold and irritated. "Well my lady, some of us may be a little… Shall we say, confused, that Jaina Proudmoore is a guest here". Sylvanas' eyes narrowed and she stood up. The Sergeant took a couple of steps backwards. "So you see my lady, I simply came to clarify the terms of her visit. I mean it is a little unusual don't you think?" Yes – It was very unusual for Sylvanas to bring anyone into Undercity, let alone an Alliance sympathizer. Perhaps she had made a mistake bringing Jaina here. Was she really going to help her reconcile with the Horde? Sylvanas kissed her teeth and pointed at the Sergeant. "If anyone as much as touch Lady Proudmoore without my consent, I will have them executed IMMIDEATLY! I will not justify my actions any further". She slammed her fist in the desk so hard a crack appeared. The Sergeant nodded. "Of course my queen, as you command. However, please consider this is a little hard for some of the people here to understand". Sylvanas hissed. "I do not care what they understand. Treat her with respect. She is going to be a great asset to the forsaken. Remember Sergeant… The forsaken has always been undermined by the Horde. Lady Proudmoore can play an important role in the Horde finally accepting our people as a true part of their side". Senior Sergeant Grimsford chuckled evil-ish. "Oh I see. The Dark Lady has plans for our guest". He turned around and exited the throne room.

Sylvanas plonked back down in her chair and closed her eyes. Had she just outed Jaina to the Sergeant as no more than the final piece of a puzzle in one of her wicked games? Sylvanas didn't often feel anything and certainly not guilt. No, she would not let herself in this situation. What she decided to do with or for Jaina was up to her and whatever it was, she would not let feelings influence her decision. "The Dark Lady does not feel…" Sylvanas whispered to herself as she continued her bureaucratic duties as the Banshee Queen.