Chapter 26 – The departure
"But my lady, it will take months, maybe even years!"
"I don't care! Just do as you're told!"
"Of course, my lady, but…"
Jaina entered Sylvanas' chambers in the early hours that morning, clearly interrupting something important. "Good morning!" She smiled before realising Apothecary Jezel and Tawny were standing before their Warchief.
"Oh, pardon me. I can come back…" Jaina turned around to leave. "No, stay, we are done here". Sylvanas stated. Jezel and Tawny bowed and hurried out.
"What was that about?" Jaina asked as she gently slid her arms around Sylvanas' neck. "Nothing…" Sylvanas mumbled as she kissed the young mage. "But, I have to leave Orgrimmar for some days. A week perhaps".
"What?" Jaina released herself from Sylvanas. "Why?"
Sylvanas cleared her throat and turned around fiddling with some papers.
"I have to travel to Stormheim. There are some things I can't trust anyone else with. It needs taking care of immediately".
"I'll come with you".
"No!"
Jaina flinched at the dismissive tone from Sylvanas and looked at her with a confused expression. Sylvanas sighed and pulled Jaina in for a hug.
"I'm sorry, it's not like that it's just… I need to do this alone…" "But what about me? What will I do while you're gone? They'll probably kill me when I'm not under your protection. I'm a walking target every day here, Sylvanas. I've seen how they look at me. Besides…" Jaina looked up at Sylvanas.
"Helitha is still here…"
Sylvanas did not reply. Truth be told, she had forgotten all about Helitha the moment her lips met Jaina's on the cliff. Sylvanas was a little annoyed that Jaina had brought the high elf up as, in her opinion, she did what she wanted at a time they were not involved. The Banshee Queen bit her lip.
"So? I can't banish her from Orgrimmar. High elves are welcome here".
"So you're saying you want her here?" Jaina lifted an eyebrow and pushed Syvanas away, ready to walk out.
"I'm saying I don't care if she is here. Jaina, honestly, I would take you with me, but I need to go on my own. You'll be fine here, everyone knows you are a guest now. Anyone that as much as touches you will immediately lose their head. I promise you that". Sylvanas sat down by her desk and flickered through some recent reports.
"Besides, you will have Senior Sergeant Grimsford looking after you. Just… Don't bother Tawny will you…" Sylvanas cleared her throat as she had just said something she was afraid to be questioned about. Jaina simply scoffed and left the room. Whatever this was, she was pissed off. Not because Sylvanas was going somewhere without her, but because she had to do as she was told and remain in the Horde capital. After she resigned as the leader of the Kirin Tor, it was not even slightly tempting to return to Dalaran.
The day after, Sylvanas departured for Stormheim. Jaina had refused to see her off and had waited in her chambers. However, she did not plan on staying there. Jaina was already dressed and she headed straight for Tawny's little mushroom selling stand she had put up. As she approached her, she could see Tawny swallow as she saw her.
"Lady Proudmoore, what brings you to my boutique?" "Tawny, I consider you a good acquaintance of mine. Please, what is Sylvanas planning?" Tawny must have been surprised as to how direct Jaina was asking, because all she managed to reply was: "Ehhhhh".
"Tawny, please… I have a bad feeling…" Jaina stared desperately at Tawny who looked like she was just about to spill.
"I am sorry Lady Proudmoore. My queen would have me beheaded if I told you. My loyalty lies with her I am afraid". Tawny started rearranging the mushrooms on her stand to distract herself. Jaina knew it was a long shot, but she had to try. "I'm sorry, Tawny, I shouldn't have approached you like this. Of course you are loyal to your queen". Tawny gave her a slight smile before returning her attention to the mushrooms.
Turning away from Tawny with a great sigh to the ground, Jaina crashed into a woman, causing her to nearly fall backwards. "Oh, pardon me I am…" Jaina stopped before the word sorry left her mouth. Before her stood Helitha Sunborne and she scolded at Jaina with beautiful, evil blue eyes.
"Watch yourself, human trash!" Helitha wore a wonderful blue leather long-suit and a pair of perfectly forged daggers was attached to the belt on each side of her waist. Jaina immediately recognized her and she felt angry arcane magic spark inside her.
Helitha spat on the ground before Jaina. "Eugh, it's you. The little whore Sylvanas has been spending time with recently. I bet you anything she has left Orgrimmar because of you. Probably could not stand the disgusting presence of a dirty human anymore". The quel'dorei flung her long auburn brown hair behind her shoulders. "It's fine though, you can have her". Helitha was about to walk away, but stopped at the side of her, lowering her mouth to Jaina's ear.
"Just remember, I tasted her first. And alive".
Jaina froze for a second and images flashed before her eyes where young Helitha and Sylvanas made love in the green fields of Quel'Thalas. It was the last straw for Jaina and the anger inside her lit her eyes up in blue flames.
"That's it, I have had it with you!" Jaina started channelling her most powerful spell when someone grabbed her arm, interrupting her casting.
"Oh good, Lady Proudmoore, I have looked all over for you let's go". Senior Sergeant Grimsford pulled the furious mage away from Helitha. Jaina was too angry to speak as the sergeant pulled her into the closest building which happened to be the inn. It was not very busy, which ensured decent privacy.
"My lady, what were you thinking? Do you want to go back to those dungeons?!"
Jaina was breathing heavily and gritted her teeth, counting to ten. "No… She just…. She said something…." The imagines of Sylvanas being with someone else was bad enough, but that someone had had the pleasure of being with her while she was alive hurt worse. However, this had only bothered Jaina after seeing how beautiful Helitha was in the flesh.
"Look, Sylvanas does not care about her okay. Let it go, my lady".
Abruptly Jaina blurted: "What is Sylvanas doing in Stormheim, sergeant? And do not tell me she is fighting the Legion, we have troops for that. I mean, what is she really doing there?"
Sergeant Grimsford attempted to leave without replying, but Jaina grabbed his arm pulling him back. "No, sergeant, I will not let you leave without telling me! I know that you know!"
The sergeant looked up at Jaina with sad undead eyes. "She will execute me if I tell you, Proudmoore. Please!" Jaina strongly exhaled. "You have been good to me Grimsford, but if you don't tell me right now, I will be the one to relieve your head from your body".
Senior Sergeant Grimsford's yellow eyes widened and for the first time, Jaina could see he was petrified. "Okay, my Lady. I will tell you, but please, do not out me to my queen. That I ask of you!" Jaina was getting impatient, but he had her word.
"Sylvanas is looking for a cure…"
Jaina lifted an eyebrow in confusion and stared at the sergeant.
"A cure for what? Is she sick? Is Tawny and Apothecary Jezel making her medicine?"
Thinking of losing Sylvanas to some strange disease stressed Jaina and instantly gave her an unsettling feeling.
Senior Sergeant Grimsford rested his sight firmly at Jaina as he slowly shook his head.
"No, my lady. She is looking for resurrection… A cure for undeath…"
