Reviews:

Guest 1: That's if Grimgor even cares. Best Ork Grimgor cares more about finding (The GW executive who cheated him out of his Everchosen kill) A big scrap to get into. And generally basically existing as the epitome of what a Ork is, Brutally Cunnin', than morality. He might even get tempted to slaughter the Horde for the simple fact that they would prove more challenging and fun in a fight.

Guest 2: We shall see, but the NE are generally are both powerful but stupid, and Blizzard constantly makes up excuses to make the NE innocent of any complaints against them, while Demonizing their Horde Counterparts even if the Horde counterparts are the victim. But their characters are if you look through them all, blatantly zealots...unless "thats not the story we wanted to tell" comes into play.

Guest 3: The Wagons from more or less of What I can tell are only popular with certain commanders like those from Nuln for a example.

As for Nacht's plot a good observation.

Guest 4: Most likely though considering their all from a lineage rather direct discendents the more "great"s added to your grandchild status you are, then likely the shorter the lifespan.

JiggyliFAP: Damn you emoji and formating ruining the fun of the JOKE! And if they had any they'd be few and far between especially after all the bullshit the Pioneers have been left to out up with. But we shall see what becomes of the Pioneers as this all progresses.

OscuroSignore-51: Well with the intrigue the Alliance and the Empire wont get anywhere if the Alliance doesn't learn to at least put up with if not outright make use these sort of political tactics considering they're the Empire's default. I mean Karl Franz election was dirty politics (from tzeentch) and a lot of backroom deals balanced with honest negotiations.

Her thoughts are...interesting. And Kyn'ra either way is likely to be a problem.

Ghozul otherwise is well, we'll see if he can turn his situation around and get his desired revenge.

As for WHFB favorite pair. IDK I'm trying to not directly have them, especially so I can use them like the Sly Marbo "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" meme also i really can't decide where they are because i can't make up my mind for absurd or realistic approaches.

Dwarf Airships: A decent callout to the listings, and as for Cathay, GW did a very nice job balancing that out by having their professional soldiers and the peasent Levys.

Jak23: One of the rules of WHFB everyone operates on a distorted version of the truth. Lizardmen think they are the chosen ones rather than servants about to be cast aside.

But Lady Nacht certainly knows her stuff and Shandris' own skill and ability to learn is certainly why she leads the Sentinels.

micelzod: If the Empire cares enough or find out. of course the course Kyn'ra is trying to set is probably very bad, but it's ironically also in line with the NE. "Yeah lets just blow that MOFO up!" "Nah lets let the tauren go extinct and refuse to help them for no good reason." "hey these weird green people we've never seen before are cutting our trees, rather than talk, lets kill them all!" "oh hey, some people of our long lost Empire from the past, rather than question how they've changed over time, lets still blame them for the past actions of one person."

But yeah lets see if Shandris is too patient and tolerant of her fellow Kaldorei, if something else happens before she can act, or if she'll successfully break Kyn'ra's hold on the Pioneers.

Dragon King of the West: There are many layers to what is happening and even unnamed parties from both worlds may or may not have a hand in any given event.

Hakuryuu: Neither side is getting the best of the other, despite sending their "Best" out to encouter one another. But sometimes that's just fate.

Your next bit i think is directed to the Character Kyn'ra? sorry but the old uncle in the Town of Abbereladine now knows for certain that the end times have come and only mass murder will help, because no one will understand how he feels.

And yes Nacht does, but without a proper letter, or enough trust and faith no one will agree with any requests like that. Letters/Bills of Exchange were a huge thing in the era and region the Empire is based on, but she has many ways to manipulate things for the Empire's favor.

But we'll have to see how both NE act when Imperial politics come into play.

and Oh yes they are all probably aware but still based off warhammer as a whole, it's very unlikely Teclis is going to immediately teleport to the NE and is instead going to be investing and likely meeting with Franz.

Jak23: Warhammer Orks are fairly open minded. However a Warcraft Orc wouldn't stay in charge for long, particularly since like Klingons the WoW Orcs "hyper-violent warrior culture" they're practically afraid of the open warfare that the Orks thrive on, and then there's the whole bigger Ork comes to become a cheif and frankly by the time of BFA there isn't a Orc alive save maybe one personally powerful enough to win fighting one of the bigger tribes Waross', so almost anything would ensure they wouldn't stay in power for long. I mean imagine trying to teach a Ork the basics of foraging or farming?

Also it's shown that Yin-Yin wasn't with her fleets and both of them clearly thought they were on Lustria and so were marching thinking that they'd meet up at the middle of the continent. only one survivor from each fleet made it back to report to the Dragon. So while yes two Civilizations of Lizardmen are far more powerful a Cathayan fleet, we don't have evidence of SlaanCathayan Dragon, and considering one Cathayan Dragon is able to house every dead soul in Cathay, there's a bit of a argument to be had since the Slaan can barely preserve their own souls, but the way the powers are measured it can go either way, just note that behind the bluster of the Lizardmen is the truth that they were going to be discarded by the Old Ones.

Also i think you might be mistaken the Great Earthquake was caused by Skaven hands (totally on purpose too definitely not an accident no never Clan Skyre doesn't almost destroy-kill all Skavendom by accident no-no), and that is the only known instance where the Great Bastian was so damaged that the Dragon Emperor is in the cathayan lore attributed to having been put near death, all other Breaches are shown that he was simply 'hurt' but still clearly able to function.

But it should also be noted how the Bastion was made, and how it was repaired. Cathays Terracotta Warriors and Terracotta Soldiers were able to rebuild the destroyed Bastion using their own bodies, suggesting that their creation, or at least what animates them, is somehow related to or even tied tk the Great Bastian, which for the old lore where they made up almost all Cathay's army and the thought "cathay is doomed should the bastion fall" would make a lot of sense. But clearly the lore has progressed and changed and GW has finally started exoring the expy of my favorite historical land.

But certainly with a magic from enough unified Slaan it's certainly possible they could destroy the Great Bastion...but problem there is that damned Compass and the weakened/restrained nature of the Old Ones magic system, both because it's weaker after the great catastrophe, and it was built to limit magic power to prevent the great catastrophe...which it obviously failed at. The Dragon Emperor's compass meanwhile is in terms of magic, is haxs. Jerk can control both the winds of magic and magic cast against Grand Cathay and outright dispell it with that darn thing. Thus why the Great Earthquake was such a WTF moment for Cathay since it was instead a "natural" disaster rarher than magical.

Imperial Fleet: I don't see how this relates to this chapter. But yes when it comes to fleets, the Empire ironically does have a better naval fleet than the Alliance, case and point every cutscene featuring the Alliances navy (aka 70% of their lore) particularly when a certain high tinkerer stole Star Trek's drama detectors and installed them into the Alliance's tech, thus leading to Alliance ships unnecessarily being destroyed by comparatively short range rockets (still more accurate than British Naval canons at those ranges but that's not saying much).

Deadliestfan: Actually while the Sigmar bit would make sense, I was actually on about the two sisters, Neferata and Khalida because that's where the Sun hating the Vamps since Neferata is the very first vampire and she and arkhan the black are the true creators of the Vampires and her attempt to forcefully convert her sister backfired horribly with the woman killing herself with a Asp, and calling upon the 'Dead' Gods to curse her sister, which even after the covenant between the Gods and Man had been broken the Gods still answered her prayers killing her and cursing Neferata and all that she created. Basically Neferata fucked everything up for the Vamps. and the she had to turn to Nagash, which or course he claimed to be the true creator of the Vampires because the formula of the elixer of life that he gave Arkon was a intentionally wrong formula meant to kill the Man should he ever turn against Nagash and it was just Neferata's husband-brother getting the formula wrong assuming Arkon was betraying them, as they had him entombed in their palace dungeon, that caused them to, rather than die horrific deaths, transform into Vampires entirely by accident (though he didn't live long enough because Neferata poisoned his elixer). This is also part of why Neferata and many of the first Vampires can resist Nagash, because they existed before Nagash spread their vampirism further. Because at this point I'd almost call Neferata a Proto-Vampire since she had to use an elixer to spread her Vampirism.

I mean How can Neferata be the First Vampire, if she was one of the humans fighting Nagash when he was first conquering Nekehara? The thing there is Nagash's elixer of life, he and his closest servants then were not Vampires, but rather immortal super humans thanks to a constant supply of the Elixer. But then Nagash failed, and Neferata and her brother tried making her own version with a captured Arkon. And in the meantime Nagash was building his fortress to the North AND dealingn with a mounting Skaven problem. Sfter the Nehekarans kicked Neferata's ass by forming a Coalition under ironically the only human in existance to drink the TRUE Elixer of life one that's permanent, to punish her for dabbling in Nagash's dark art. She and the Vampires were scattered to the winds, and many of them joined Nagash, though others fled to other places like the jungles, and Cathay.

Gunpowder is most prevelent in Reikland and Nuln, amd at least half the army is from Reikland. Also a rearguard action is usually performed by veterans, or disposable chaff.

And the but with lady Nacht well thats Imperial Politics, even Franz's election was a bunch of double dealings by the Emperor. His litteral crowning achievement was a tax on the river Riek that enemies of Ostermark thought would harm Ostermark but that actually favored Ostermark so even Ostermark voted in support of him and his river tax.


City of Another World


After the barges had been stolen the convoy marched for another half a day before Uydron and Lady Nacht approached the Kaldorei General. The pair approached Shandris with grave looks on their faces.

"What is the matter?" The General asked looking between the pair. The Imperial lady seemed resolute, though concerned and calculating. At her side Uydron seemed simply saddened, almost ashamed and embarrassed as well as concerned.

"M-my General... y-your arm. We wont be able to preserve your arm long enough to reach Bechafen. But Lady Nacht, she has a solution to our problem. We can take one of the barges, with a representative and letter of invitation and with myself and other Druids working endlessly we should be able to get your arm reattached before our magic stops working. But we will need to leave now." The head Druid stated. Uydron looked crestfallen, like he already understood and knew, as he rightfully should have.

"I can't do that. The Sentinels need me." The General delcaired softly giving a hard stare of determination to the two assembled before her.

"Please General, we need you in command. Especially in the future for our people, and I don't think Tyrande will accept you on the front lines without your arm." Uydron explained with a desperate tone.

"We won't get home if Kyn'ra drags too many of our soldiers off on her mad quest!" Shandris protested with a venom in her voice.

At Uydron's side Emmanuelle Nacht let loose a small chuckle. "If I might interject, Lady Shandris, adoptive daughter of the leaders of the nation of Darnassus." The woman's words startled Shandris, her status as General of the Sentinels should be known to the Imperials, but her adoptive parents and the fact that Tyrande ruled Darnassus should not have been known to them. Now Shandris had to wonder how information was leaking to the Imperials.

Seeing Shandris' reaction Emmanuelle seemed to smirk, though before Shandris could be certain of what she saw the smile was one of nothing but empathy. "Lady Shandris, do you not trust Aethalas? Certainly if I place some observant soldiers under Aethalas command we can keep unnecessary interactions between Kyn'ra and the Sentinels to an absolute minimum."

Shandris just shook her head. "Not with Kyn'ra present. She's showing powers an basic Archer should not possess. And I refuse to believe anyone from the Alliance would so eagerly follow anyone like her."

Emmanuelle Nacht looked nonplussed at Shandris' statement. "Yes, it's so hard to see how anyone could follow a passionate individual who seemingly brings results. Hmmm, maybe if Kyn'ra is such a threat, I can provide a opportunity for both of you. You, Uydron as your Head Druid, Kyn'ra and Irma Schoff along with an appropriate escort will take the barge and race ahead to Bechafen, without you and Kyn'ra neither side should make progress in your little ideological dispute. She can at least think she's getting a head start on the plans she has for once we reach Bechafen, you get to save your arm and have her relatively isolated from her followers as you certainly have been trying to plot to do."

Shandris sat straight staring at Lady Nacht. "Kyn'ra has plots planned for Bechafen?" The General asked urgently.

With a sigh the Empire Diplomat pulled out a small fan to fan herself with. "I can only assume. After all she hasn't told me what her plans are. But there's obvious signs." The woman then finished fanning herself.

Shandris stared at Emmanuelle for several moments. "What are you plotting Lady Nacht?" The Night Elf leader asked eventually keeping her steady gaze on Emmanuelle.

"Me? My plotting is for the Empire. Trying to control another people's internal politics is, typically, a waste of energy that leads to unnecessary expenses of favor or fortunes. All I can do is shape my own reaponses accordingly." The Diplomat responded now hiding her face behind her fan.

"That just sounds like opprotunism." Shandris retorted with a frown.

"And you are a general. Certainly you don't meant to tell me you needlessly send your soldiers to their deaths. You instead create or wait for an opportunity to breach your enemy's lines and attack them from the rear, do you not? Would that then not also be opprotunism? I am not some passive coward Lady Shandris, I simply do not try to force myself on others, something which would make them resistant to my desires. Instead I wait for the opportunity to lead them to their own conclusion that they want what I desire." Emmanuelle's retort was swift, but soft, accented by the closing of her fan and the woman's smile.

"Fine, I'll go." Shandris relented as the Diplomat's smile remained.

"Good, here is your letter of introduction. In Bechafen my name carries weight, so you should be able to attain whatever you want or need without difficulty." Emmanuelle laughed kindly as she handed a folded and wax sealed paper to Shandris. The General took the paper looking it over before packing it into her satchel.

"Thankyou. I-" Shandris began, only for some tsks from Emmanuelle to stop the General mid sentence.

"Remember, I'm not doing this for you. I am acting as a Diplomat of the Empire, on behalf of the Empire. And one day the Empire will call upon this moment." The Diplomat stated with a serious tone.

Uydron then leaned into Shandris. "We can have everyone on the boat and ready to go within a half hour."

Hearing that Shandris sighed. "Do it, We set off as soon as possible."


At last on the barge Shandris stood toward the center of the boat as it took off to the center of the river and then downstream towards the northward city Bechafen. As the General stood the sights around her were an array of oddities. Towards the back of the of the barge Uydron and three other Druids had agreed to take shifts alongside a priestess of Elune in preserving Shandris' arm as the arm itself sat within a preservative container, apparently one provided by the Empire though they had thought it wouldn't keep the arm preserved in this manner.

Still her arm had maybe only gained a few minutes of time's worth of degradation since they had found the arm on the Bridge, technically her arm was very much still alive in the Empire's preservative jar. The cost of mana and the extremely gradual degredation of her arm is what forced them to use the Barge as they were now, but for the four Druids this would be a taxing journey as before nearly twelve of their number were dedicated to preserving her limb. Even convincing the City's Guards to let them in at this point might be risky.

Thus Emmanuelle ensured two of her more trustworthy subordinates came with Shandris. First was Captain Gerard Sessler, the man had recently been severely wounded, but now stood with what he called a repeater handgun watching ovet the prow of the boat, and beside him lounging on a stool with her Cathayan weapon disguised as the pole for a umbrella sitting over her was Irma Schoff, even now looking at the woman drinking from her flask made Shandris feel a unusual sense of Nausea, even though she had shared her water with everyone else onboard the barge.

Lastly on the portside of the Barge stood Kyn'ra, the Renegade had a small following around her, both likely to shield her and to serve her and whatever schemes the Kaldorei had over the next few days. However where Kyn'ra had herself, a warlock, two warriors three hunters and four rogues, all veteran adventures at her side, Shandris had brought along not only her four druid allies, but a contingent of twelve Sentinels archers and five of her Moonglaive specialists. Of course this was dwarfed by the number of Empire troops currently on the Barge. A contingent of a Twelve Veteran Handgunners, and another twenty Halberdiers all served under Captain Sessler.

Frustrated and unwilling to waste her day just standing there on the barge, The General chose to approach first Captain Sessler and then Lady Schoff. Captain Sessler himself stood at the fore of the vessel his eyes fiercely scanning the river coastline, his focus such that he never acknowledged Shandris' pressnce though he adjusted his stance so as to shield her with his body.

"Captain, might I ask you a couple of

questions?" Shandris asked and though Gerard Sessler didn't remove his eyes from the shore he moved his hand to indicate Shandris to proceed.

Seeing the Captain's sign Shandris began to speak. "Captain the other night you returned wounded several nights ago. I know once of my Druids had to help heal you. What happened?"

The Captain stared out still for several moments. Then Irma spoke. "By the Gods, the man clearly doesn't want to..."

"I was shot in the back and then struck in the head. Your healers have my compliment, while not the most severe injury I've ever had healed, nor was it the fastest healing I had ever recieved, it was certainly the easiest and most soothing healing I had recieved in my life." The Captain explained gruffly and then returned to his watch without even looking at Shandris.

"Umm, well your welcome. Can you say..." The General found herself cut off then.

"No. Don't go hunting down this road, you wont find anything to be had." And then the Captain stopped speaking entirely.

"See the old bastard doesn't want to speak, if you want to talk to someone I am here to speak to." Irma interjected, her voice a mix of amused teasing and boredom.

"And what do you think you and I have to talk about?" Shandris asked the Imperial agent, casting a muted glare in the shaded woman's direction.

"Well I mean, I know its a bad time for me to ask this but...can I ride one of your trees? Please, I'll even pay you, Please!" The woman suddenly broke out with a pleading tone.

Shandris was stunned for a moment by suprise. Was this woman pleading, outright begging, just for a chance to ride an ancient? However why such obsession over a simple ride on the back of an ancient? Honestly it seemed nearly insane.

"Why are you so obsessed with riding an ancient?" Shandris asked, giving a incredulous stare at Irma.

"I have to admit. The thought that I, a woman, could be the first person in our world to ride one of those great beasts. I saw some of your soldiers riding on them and I know they don't exist here." The woman confessed to her Night Elf counterpart.

"And that's it?" Shandris asked, almost disbelieving the reasoning of the woman before her.

Irma then smirked a little. "I want to learn everything there is to know of your world, and your peoples. Every secret. Every hidden detail." As the woman spoke Shandris saw red at the edges of her vision, felt her chest clench, and her stomach revolt. However the General forced her body to obey her and held herself calm and upheld a little smile.

"So you must be devestated having to come with us rather than staying with the Pioneers and Sentinels." Shandris stated, something rhat should honestly be an obvious truth. However, Irma instead chuckled.

"No, I'm in the the business of collecting information of all kinds. Using soldiers and basic citizens to gather information requires more than one, visible and known, intelligence agent to collect information from them. Instead we would need a team of at least three agents to collect information from soldiers even without them knowing one of your team was spies. You, your staff, as well as Kyn'ra and her leadership are better subjects for me to use to collect information from." The woman admitted brazenly while leaning back in the stool she sat on, her glasses sliding up over her eyes and reflecting the sunlight.

"So you're following us to keep leeching information from us?" Shandris asked, actually more impressed by the brazen admission by the human before her.

"Yes, and honestly your excuses and approaches to refusing me information are, in of themselves, information for me to gather. I'll enjoy analyzing you, please General give me a good show." The Empire agent laughed as she sat back up into her shade a malicious smile on her face.

"And Kyn'ra?" Shandris asked.

"Oh she's got plots of her own, and she's had her feelers out with the Ostermark troops and Camp Followers. I've seen her practicing her writing in Reikspiel over the last several days. She has names, people she thinks she can turn to, maybe she already has. So knowing this what will you do?" The sun's glow in Irma's glasses seemed to linger now even in the shade as the woman grinned man, her focus locked on Shandris. For some reason unknown to the General herself she could feel her heart pounding in her chest at a frantic pace.

"Once our purpose for racing to Bechafen is complete. I'll isolate her, and with your people's help we can easily do away with her. Her influence no longer threatening both the Pioneers and my Army." Shandris admitted, already plotting her own plans to finally subdue and either purify or destroy Kyn'ra. However If she had known the truth, or even looked deeper, past the glow of Irma's glasses to the tint beyond, the General might have been able to foresee and avoid the disaster she helped create.


Two days later the Barge arrived at Bechafen, more than a full week ahead of the Convoy and Lady Nacht. The Barge was stopped on the river by City Guards but it took then only a glance at the seal on the letter before the Barge was brougt into the city and one of the City Nobles journeyed down to meet them. There the noble read the letter of Introduction out loud.

"I, Lady Emmanuelle Nacht, Diplomat of his Imperial Majesty Karl Franz Holswig-schliestain and temperary commander of the Imperial Army of Reikland's Expeditionary Forces. Hereby grant my introduction and full backing to Lady Irma Schoff of the Kommision of the Imperial Archives, Captain Gerard Sessler of the Riekland Army, Lady Shandris Feathermoon General of the Sentinel Army of Darnassus and heiress of the Nation of Darnassus...looks like she had trouble finding the proper word here...Rulers, and Lady Kyn'ra leader of the Alliance Pioneers Expedition. They are Guests of the Empire under my care, and Lady Shandris Feathermoon is to receive full medical care from a city surgeon and one of the Jade Order for the purposes of restoring her arm which we have had preserved by mystical means. Full recompense will be provided upon my arrival in Bechafen." The Noble finished reading before looking over the assembly before him.

"And that is what the letter says. I shall tell the Chancellor Wolfram Hertwig of your arrival as well as start your preparations for the requested procedure. As for your sleeping..." Before the man could continue Captain Sessler pulled another paper with a diffrent seal from under his armor. passing it to the noble.

This time the Noble read in silence. "Hmmm, this should certainly suffice, there is a series of rooms available in the noble district. I will take you there." The noble stated before his guard escort moved to begin guidingnall those assembled deeper into the city, the oddly tall buildings leaning over the street, some even coming into contact with eachother, making it feel like they were walking into a grim tunnel or cave, rather than into a proper city.

Still the journey through the city's grim streets seemed peaceful enough even with odd peddlers selling questionable trinkets along with the path that Shandris could only question as she passed. Some streets they could see logs stored waiting to be returened to the river or put into barge construction. Elsewhere children played, stabbing eachother with play swords and then mourning their 'fallen comrade', who often struggled to stay as quiet as possible, in a odd manner before cheerfully continuing on full of life and laughter, all while at the side of the odd display young girls either insulted the boys, sometimes even coming out to beat them with their own wooden swords, or swooning over another boy or joining in the mock funerals with their own wailing and proclamations of how they should have died alonf with their 'beloved' before they themselves ran off giggling.

And then the procession was in the Nobles quarter and shortly after found themselves outside a mansion that looked like it was unoccupied though maid staff and gardeners were still attending to it. The building certainly looked well maintained, but Shandris' trained eye could tell that while maintained the building did not have the feel of a place that was lived in.

"And here Captain Sessler is Gmehling Manor. Belonging to your Lord Gmehling, your seventh Cousin after a conflict with Greenskins it sits Lordless as the Lord and his Son died and had no immediate relatives to inherit it. However once your time im the Imperial Army is up, as you can see it is sitting ready for you sir." The Noble sounded more like he was trying to sell the place than make friendly conversation with those with him.

Captain Sessler just nodded grimmly. "That's fine, just fetch the damn Surgeon and Wizard as Lady Nacht's letter requested."

"But Sir Sessler there are..." The Captain silenced the man with a very gentle backganded hit to the chest.

"You servant girl. Where's the damn Kitchen and how big are the tables there? If they're big enough for a person to lay on then Ii they aren't so clean the wood shines and can banish a Daemon with their purity within the hour I'll have you flogged!" The Captain immediately assumed control, his sense of urgency and force of will overriding decorum and even pushing the Bechafen noble into action.

"R-right this way m'lord!" The Maid cried and soon she was rushing with Sessler, Irma, Shandris and the Druids close behind her. Soon they arrived in the kitchen, one that was occupied about half a dozen chefs working frantically to prepare a meal, though they clearly just started and some still had jackets and outerwear still on.

"Clear the Kitchen, Dinner will be late tonight I'll pay you for the delay! You can stay and help if you want. NOW! Maid this table is acceptable Everyone start cleaning!" The Captain's commands overrode most of those present senses, even one of the druids grabbed a mop to clean the table and the room.

Meanwhile Irma looked on with near disbelief. "Captain what are you doing?" The Imperial agent asked with a near shock.

The Captain stopped his scrubbing for a moment. "I'm a veteran of multiple Wars and battles large and small in scale. I might not be a doctor or a medic, but I know what kills a man, treat a man's wounds in dirt and mud and they certainly get sick and maybe die. Perform surgery, pull out a arrow or bullet on a soft bed and it's impossible to hold the person still as they scream in agony. The cleaner the better, use leeches or special tools to remove tainted blood, then plenty of water, rest, and some medicines to fight fevers and pain and perhaps some potion to speed recovery." The Captain explained before returning to his cleaning.

Then shortly after the Captain had finished cleaning and congratulating those who had assited him a new voice spoke up. "I have arrived, I was told to meet my patient here for a emergency surgery!" A man with a bag of tools stated nearly running into the room, a short way behind him a bearded green robed man covered in weeds and various plants followed.

"Ah Surgen you are here." Irma proclaimed with a smirk.

"Where's Kyn'ra?" Suddenly Shandris interjected, followed by a shout of shock and horror from the Surgeon who then broke into babbling and pointing at the Night Elf. The Jade Wizard behind behind the Surgeon instead chuckling at the site as he pulled out a pipe and took one of the plants from his beard, grinding it up and putting it into the pipe then lighting it.

In response to the spectacle Irma sighed. "I'll send some guards to watch her. But for my own purposes I must remain behind." As the woman spoke already her quill, ink and a blank book were arrayed near the table.

"W-what is this? These creatures, I was called for a surgery!" The Surgeon demanded, his voice full of panic.

Sessler then stepped forward. "You were brought here to help us preform a surgery to reattach this creature's arm that we have preserved." The Captain announced pointing to Shandris.

"Impossible."

"What?!" Shandris, Uydron and Sessler all demanded at once.

The Surgeon pointed at Shandris' shoulder. "No blood and a clearly healed scar tissue. The arm is too far gone, to successfully perform such a surgery I need potions to revitalize the nerve connections, and I nees to work with a arm that can have life returned to it."

"What if the arm had been near perfectly preserved?" Irma asked then pointing to the container with the arm and the group of Druids still healing the arm to preserve it.

The Jade Wizard looked also to where the Druids were healing the arm. "Ahh fellow pract-... No. I don't know what you are. Step away creatures!" The Jade Wizard shouted his hand already raised and a chant on his lips as a emerald glow emanated from now his hand and the arm.

The Jade Wizard then looked back over his shoulder at the Surgeon. "The arm is alive. We can restore it if you place it back."

The surgeon looked to the Jade Wizard in shock before nodding then moving to the Night Elf General, though he expressed nervousness, and nearly jumped when her ear twitched. The Surgeon began to inspect a now topless Shandris going over each inch of her scar tissue with close intensity even making small cuts to test her reactions.

"Yes." The Surgeon then stood up before casting an resolute stare at Captain Sessler. Then the Doctor wrote a list handing it to the Captain. "I need each of these potions and medications within the hour." Then he pointed to the chefs and Irma. "I need strong hands and some of the finest rope this manor possesses." Then the doctor pulled out what almost like a thick gag.

"What's that for?" Irma asked as the chefs and maids ran out to gather rope.

The doctor looked to Shandris with a hard stare as he moved her onto the table. "A tool who helps patients stay alive." Then he looked Shandris in the eye. "This will be the most agonizing experience of your life most likely, but I will restore your arm."

"What is that supposed to mean?!" Uydron shouted in shock.

"Get them out of here I can't have anyone ruining this procedure!" The Doctor ordered and several of the Halberdiers moved to place themselves between the Druids and Shandris pushing them back step by step.

"I said what is that supposed to mean!?" Uydron continued.

"The healing she recieved preserved her nerve endings, and i can not even begin to reattach her arm with this scar tissue in the way. I will have to remove it. Here I find a few of these before we begin helps." The Doctor explained while handing Shandris a bottle that smelled strongly of alcohol.

As Shandris took the bottle to drink she looked to the Doctor. "I've heard Gnomish Medics talk about that before, but they never made sense. What are Nerve endings?"

The Surgeon didn't even look to Shandris as he pulled out many of his rather frightening looking tools including a jar of leaches. "Whenever you think 'I'm going to hit someone' or someone hits you, Nerve are what tell your muscles what they are supposed to do in response, and they tell your brain about it too. It's all rather strange and even modernly no one knows quite as much as the Mortuary Cult of Nehekara once knew about the subject. However Nerves are how your body is controlled and how you feel pain, if the nerves were harmed then I could remove the scar tissue without hurting you. But with them intact it will be as painful as possible and I have to do this part of the procedure slowly. This needs to be precise."

The Doctor then handed another bottle to Shandris who drank it and after a while he handed her another. On her fourth Shandris could feel the Alcohol taking an effect and then shortly after a runner with a bag full of herbs and potions.

After looking through the Bag the Surgeon looked to Shandris. "Right open your mouth."

"Uuuugh, like this." Feeling woozy and out of it Shandris opened her mouth right before the Surgeon shoved the gag into the Kaldorei's mouth.

Then the Surgeon shoved Shandris onto the table and holding her down with force. "Bind her now!" He shouted to the men around him who set out with the ropes to tie Shandris to the table. "Tie her head down and keep it turned to the side, I don't want her choking on her own vomit." The Surgeon then ordered. Now Shandris tried to drunkenly fight back but they soon bound her to the table exactly as the Surgeon ordered.

Shandris felt a fear building up as she was tied down. Then the first cut happened and a bruning sting spread over the area the Knife cut away. It was a small cut covering only a small area but Shandris felt a tear roll after it had happened. The cutting continued for seventeen more cuts each earning loud and more shrill grunts until finally she screamed a high pitched wail muffled by her gag just before bile came up her throat, and then mercifully General Shandris knew nothing more.


It was sunlight peaking through the blinds that roused Shandris. Her shoulder screamed in a constant dull throb of pain. Shandris tried to push herself up raising her arm to shield herself from the sunlight. Groggily she moved about the bed trying to pull herself out to close the blind and allow herself to rest. Tired she grabbed both ends of the blinds and pulled them closed.

Then in the darkness Shandris' mind caught up with her. The general stared, it was there, her right arm was numb but present and obeying her commands. Sure her arm felt weak and was incredibly sluggish moving almost a second after she wanted it to move, but she could move it and she knew there was likely have to quite some recovery needed before it would serve her like it should.

"I see you're awake." A familiar and stomach nauseating voice then spoke up.

Startled Shandris jumped looking to the otherside of the room where Irma Schoff sat. The woman sat in the dark with a notebook on her lap, and a dry inkwell at her side. "I had helped watch your recovery these last couple days, as Uydron workes tirelessly for you."

"I see you've busied yourself with more of you note taking and investing." Shandris observed in a level tone.

"Would you condemn me for writing down everything I see. Though to be honest you're far tougher than I expected, took the good Surgeon seventeen cuts before you screamed, and you only vomited four times. Also the Doctor was only needed to use half the potions to seal the connection of your arm thanks to that Jade Wizard, and he only had to use one leach before he could confirm that there wouldn't be any infected blood in your body. Most people even under less extreme conditions scream and pass out far before you did." Irma's use of detail only knotted Shandris' stomach even tighter.

"We tried to feed you, but certainly a liquid diet probably isn't filling for most people. The kitchen now has a chef permanently on staff so feel free to demand anything you would like." The agent continued as she stood up heading for the door out of the room.

"Where is Uydron?" Shandris then demanded, her tone the same and her face kept carefully neutral.

"Nearby, I'll make sure he comes running, just wait a moment if you will...princess." The Imperial woman teased sticking out her tounge and shaking her butt before returning to a prime and proper pose and opening the door.

With the human woman gone Shandris sat down on the bed and analyzed the room she was in. The wooden molding of the room looked fine carved, but beside the bed all the furniture was cheap or decaying. That suggested that the manor was likely tight on funds, but certainly it had served everyones purposes well enough.

Though before Shandris could muse further on the building the door burst open. Of course the one to open the door was none other than Uydron Dusktree who emerged through the doorway with a bright and hopeful smile of joy.

"M-My lady. General Shandris you're awake!" The Druid nearly shouted.

"Yes...I'm aware of that. Please don't yell that at me." The Night Elf General replied rubbing her temple before hissing in pain and rubbing her shoulder.

"Right, the Surgeon said to give you this medicine in a drink once you wake up to dull the pain." Uydron stated jumping into action moving to the table beside where Irma had sat filling a cup with water from a pitcher and sprinkling some herbs into it before mixing with a spoon. The druid then handed it to his commander who took the drink thankfully downing it at a careful pace.

"What's happened while I was asleep?" Shandris then demanded while still drinking the medication given to her.

The Male Kaldorei looked slightly crestfallen for a moment before answering. "News obviously has spread throughout the city of our arrival. Already we're receiving letters and meeting requests... as well as subtle and not so subtle threats. Everyone from the city nobles to criminals seem to think they can use us. But we had to recieve dozens of introductions and invitations, relevant letters and my own notes are on your desk."

The news did make Shandris feel her exhaustion and the sore pain where her arm was reattached. However she was not only the General of the Sentinels of Darnassus but she was the current highest-ranking member of the Alliance on Mallus. She would not allow herself to slack from this type of work, even so shortly after an operation of this nature. "I'll read everything you have given me after we finish updating me on what I've missed. Now what about Kyn'ra?"

Here Uydron sighed standing infront of the chair with his shoulders slumped looking tired. "I've kept a close watch on her since the surgery. She hasn't left the manor... however she has recieved and sent a lot of letters." The Druid sighed as he spoke.

"A lot of letters?" Shandris repeated, not stating her obvious question and allowing Uydron to continue without interrupting him further. Though the General now could feel her frustration mounting as she sat on the bed.

Uydron sighed himself. "Unfortunately the majority of the letters coming in have all been little different than the ones we recieved. How the locals know we're from two distinct groups I haven't been able to determine yet. So I've been trying to spy on her outgoing letters instead."

Now the Head Druid straightened. "While I couldn't track the Rogue to the point of delivery, I did manage to observe her writing a particular letter." The Druid squared his shoulders.

"It read as such: Lord Boyar Dyalov,

I have greatly appreciated our correspondence with one another. You have provided us with invaluable information and you have my word providing both the service promised and payment. Please inform me as to when you intend to proceed with your intent.

I was also informed of a rumor concerning someone from the Royal Court. While I would normally refrain from such inquiries the rumors I had recieved of this individual have piqued my curiosity. Will they at all be taking part in our exchange, and do they know of any details of our communications?

'Lady Night Sky': A clear alias for Kyn'ra." Uydron reported going over the details he had memorized. Finished delivering the report Uydron then sat in the chair to allow Shandris to consider what he had informed her. However as the Night Elf sat he felt a sharp prick on his butt and stood up looking to the seat where a folded paper, with a large tack stabbed through it, sat.

"Hmmm, What is it?" Shandris asked looking over confused to her head Druid.

"A paper." He answered looking to the folded paper with the words, 'a gift for you' writen on the outside as well as a date set for three says prior just under that.

The Druid then started to read the paper he had sat on. Dear Night Sky, The Maiden of the court has been made aware of our dealings and while the court's stance is skeptical, she however believes that your proposition is acceptable. We leave three Nights from now. Send a messenger to your people with the attached map. And then the letter went into describing particular streets, and Uydron stopped reading. After reporting what he read, he turned to Shandris.

Finally Shandris analyzed the report before taking the paper to read for herself. Then the General tensed before snapping her gaze to Uydron. "This reads like Kyn'ra and the Pioneers are planning to abandon our forces and defect. And Kyn'ra is planning to escape tonight!" Shandris' fist trembled holding the paper.

Then the General turned her gaze to Uydron. "Gather the troops, we must stop her. Also send word to Captain Sessler, we must find out everything we can about this Lord Boyar. Have the city guard surround his manor, surely whatever scheme he's devised would be against the wishes of the Empire, and let them know that if the Empire supports this then surely it will harm relations with the Alliance until a official immigration treaty is formed!"

Uydron nodded a new determination filling him. "I'll have a servant deliver a letter to the Captain immediately. But I think you will need me at your side if we're facing Kyn'ra."

In response Shandris flexed her recently reattached arm. "I think I'll be good for battle. Don't worry a few weeks of inactivity and some wounds shouldn't give that woman an advantage over me." The General boasted. She knew she wasn't in proper form, her arm was slow and her aim was sure to off, but she had fought in such conditions before, she'll adapt and win.

"I insist, according to the Jade Wizard and the Surgeon your arm is technically still reattaching itself and some potions and healing spells over time are still needed for a 'suitable recovery'. According to the Surgeon though even recovered your arm will never be entirely what it used to be. I will fight by your side my lady, until we adjust." The Druid insisted, his fist clenched and partially shifted unti a bear claw.

After a moment Shandris sighed. "No you're right, but we'll need to move swiftly! Allowing Kyn'ra to defect will surely lead to disaster." Thus Shandris grabbed her bow and arrows, and within minutes she and her troops were scowering the Manor for signs of Kyn'ra and her followers who had already escapped into the city. And thus the Sentinels hunt for the Pioneers in Bechafen began.