Chapter 4 – Faded

Jaina was still half asleep when she heard knocking on her chamber door. "Excuse me my lady, it is Tawny. I come bearing you breakfast". Jaina rubbed her sparkling blue eyes and sat up. "Of course, come in Tawny". The undead woman entered the chamber with a tray filled with delicious foods. "I hope this will satisfy your needs Lady Proudmoore". Tawny put the tray on Jaina's bedside table. "Thank you, Tawny. That is very kind of you, it looks delicious!" "The Dark Lady wanted me to give you this". Tawny handed Jaina a small rolled up piece of paper with a red ribbon. "Oh, thank you". Tawny bowed before Jaina and left the chamber.

Jaina pulled the ribbon holding the paper rolled up and opened the note:

Dear Lady Proudmoore.

I hope you slept well despite the cold environment and depths of this place. I wish to speak with you when you are ready. Most importantly, watch yourself while venturing to my throne room. Not everyone here are as pleased with your presence as I am…

Enjoy your breakfast.

Sylvanas Windrunner.

Jaina blushed. Sylvanas was pleased with her presence… Jaina shook her head. Of course it must be because she saw an opportunity for the forsaken to finally become a true member of the Horde. Jaina was surely just an asset to Sylvanas as she was to her. But it didn't stop Jaina from smiling. For some reason she was also very happy to be in the presence of Sylvanas.

"Yes?" Sylvanas said in her normal cold tone as Jaina knocked on the door of the throne room. "Ah Lady Proudmoore. Good, we have matters to discuss". Sylvanas sat by her desk in her usual armor although she wore her hood down and let her beautiful blonde hair loose. Wow, the Dark Lady does not waste time Jaina thought. "Yes, Lady Windrunner. Where do you suggest we start?" "Hmmm…" Sylvanas hummed and scribbled some last words at a letter before standing up looking at Jaina. "I suggest you tell me what you know about the Alliance future plans for breaking the Horde. Likewise, I will fill you in on the plans of the Horde". Jaina swallowed. If she did this, there was no way back. But what other option did she have now than trusting the Banshee Queen? The latter sounded absurd in Jaina's head. She cleared her voice and said firmly: "How do I know that I can trust you?" Sylvanas frowned and murmured: "You can't. Question is, Lady Proudmoore of The Kirin Tor… Are you willing to take a chance on me?" Jaina knew that Sylvanas was simply honest in her speech then. Of course they wouldn't know if they could trust each other before they tried. "Well…" Jaina said and slowly walked towards Sylvanas. "I am willing to risk everything I have ever worked for if you give me your word. Give me your word that you won't stab me in the back Lady Windrunner". Sylvanas looked surprised. Was Jaina really going to just take her word for it? "Don't be naïve Lady Proudmoore. In this world, a word means nothing these days". "Well actually your word does matter to me. So will you or will you not give it to me?" Jaina stared firmly into Sylvanas' red eyes. Sylvanas stared back into Jaina's deep blue human eyes. She truly was stunning. She couldn't help but feel like she should give her honest word to this beautiful woman. How could she not? Jaina somehow messed with Sylvanas' ability to block emotions and Sylvanas wasn't sure she liked it. But either way, she truly wanted to help Jaina.

"You have my word… For what that's worth". Sylvanas finally said assertively. A smile spread across Jaina's face and out of nowhere, she threw her arms around the Banshee Queen and hugged her warmly. Sylvanas froze. This was way beyond her comfort zone. No one had ever hugged the Dark Lady before. That was simply an action Sylvanas did not engage in. They stood like that for an awkward long minute until Jaina realized what she had done. "I… I am so sorry… My lady I…" Sylvanas did not answer and simply said: "Please leave…" With her heart beating hard in the top of her throat, Jaina quickly ran out of the throne room. Sylvanas stared at the young mage as she hurried out the door. Her red banshee eyes filled with tears and as the mage faded, Sylvanas felt a drop dribble down her cold cheek.