Speech = ``…..´´

Thoughts = ….

Inner voices = "….."

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Sylvanas point of view:

Kingdom of Quelthaslas: Silvermoon.

Sylvanas hummed with satisfaction as another pile of papers disappeared from her sights after a few hours of management, the remaining two would be sent towards the lower departments were the rangers below would dispatch what little remained of the task.

She allowed herself to lean against the back of her chair as she took a few seconds of respite, taking a brief look at the outside world that laid beyond her window...

After hours of constant heat, the skies had darkened with the speed of a landslide, clouds covering every inch of space in the air like a heavy curtain while the wind seemed to carry a sense of dread wherever it passed. Like a black hand that strangled the usual brilliance and colours of Quelthalas, leaving nothing but the coldness of its mere bones.

For the first time in centuries it seemed that violent storm was in the making over their heads…, for some a glitch in the arcane shield surrounding their kingdom, for her an ominous threat presenting before them for all to see...

It was not surprise then to see the emptiness that had taken the streets of the capital…., with the exception of one or two stranglers here and there, but at least that meant that there would be less things to distract her from her duty's.

Strange, isn't it? At any other time the sudden change would have unsettled her, however now the peculiar peace that emanated from that emptiness seemed to calm her, she could swear she could close her eyes and fall fast asleep in her seat but for a small thorn in her side.…

One that had refused to leave her since she had been informed of what had taken place at the highest point of the spire.

Speaking of which….

The kings outright denial of the situation presented before them had been rather obnoxious, spiteful even. A tendency that had been present back when her mothers still held the tittle of defender of Quelthalas and one that had only grow without control though out the years. Nothing she could handle though…

After all, there worse things than bitter, old men out in the wilds...

Still, the sting of having his nose everywhere where it wasn't needed as well as loosing all of those possible human recruits was still there. Not because of the fact that they would be forcing them to march through the hell pit they came from against their wishes..., but that she would have loved having more meat to throw at the imminent grinder that would become her country.

Even a few thousand barely trained men could mean a day or two of extra time for her to manoeuvrer her forces in the battlefield….

It felt like he was trying to keep the illusion of peace and tranquillity that he loved so much as long as he could, and yet…., the slowly gears of war of the nation were starting to quick in…, she had already made a call for the reservist to start again their training in earnest in the case their assistance would be needed in the fights to come, armed with better weapons and gear they would be a useful and flexible battle line. Though she knew most of them wished for such time not to come, they would not disappoint.

And yet, against an enemy that seemed to grow with each casualty it did not looked like much, not by a long shot, but she had done what she could under their heavy scrutiny.

Every day that passed without the sighting of the dark tide of dead men was another one that their chances grew, another day for her to sigh in relief knowing that another boring day was presented before them rather than the chaotic nature of war.

With a frown she took a brief glance over one of the maps she had extended over the desk, black banners all over Lordaeron.

It would not last forever though…

It was good then that for now the eyes of the council were busy somewhere else, especially the outrage that had taken by storm the high spheres of the nobility after the incident had been made public.

Incident.., a scowl appeared in her lips as she tried to taste the word. it was a nice way to describe the disaster that utter fool of Darkham had made of himself back then. More so than she had intended in the first place when she had made her little arrangement with Romath.

She had no complains though...

What should have been an investigation for fraud and, embezzlement in the line of duty had turn into one of homicide and assault, followed by resistance against figures of authority an one attempted escape.

A grin started to morph around her lips as she remembered the report Cyndia had given her the day before. She just loved it when things fixed themselves…., the way those snakes shrieked and ran in circles like headless chicken when their gardens were set on fire. Her hand in the matter only adding more to that feeling of self gratification.

By the time cooler heads prevailed it would have been too late to put a stop her.

Truly, things could not get any better than this…, perhaps for that very reason she did not feel alarmed at all when a portal opened in the middle of her office, nor the man who appeared through it in his haste.

She merely placed down a fold of paper down her desk before she tapped playfully the wooden furniture with her fingers. It seemed that the origin of her woes had finally come at last...

Better later than never I suppose….

``I have to say that I don't remember making an appointment with you, Romath...´´ She said, her words bereft of any emotion as they eyed the eccentric magister curiously. Clothed with a purple vest with gold trims ad the edge that reminded her of the human mages of the south he remained still for a few moments before he decided or seemed to acknowledge her statement.

``I did not...´´ He replied drily, his face hidden from view as he just turned around and closed the door that led outside, a glow of magic spreading from his hands into the handle; probably to make sure that no one would interrupt their soon to be conversation. Such things were normal occurrence inside a military headquarters...

She merely rose an eyebrow as she leaned against her chair, taking another fold of sheets that were resting abandoned in her desk and slowly but meticulously examining their interiors with far more interest.

``I know, that is what I said...´´ She said with condescend, as if he had not heard her the first time. Much to her amusement she saw with the corner of her eyes the way his eyes started twitching, hands clenching into tight fist. His breathing halting to a pause, before not to long resuming with a tired sigh.

``Did I caught you in a bad spot, General? Perhaps I should return at a later date?´´ He inquired softly though that did not hide away the forcefully tone at the edge of his words, the two knew already that was a polite way to make her stop playing games with him.

If that was so easy to do...

A playful smirk warped around her lips before she waved him to come closer, finally putting away he reports so that she could finally pay her undivided attention at the more than probably not amused mage.

``Nonsense..., come here and take a sit, young Romath. I have the feeling that this may take a while...´´

He shook his head, the scarf he wore not been able to hide away the scowl carving its way into his flesh like the scalpel of a proficient sculptor as he did.

``I would rather not, for practicality purposes of course…..´´ He replied, soft words hiding behind a thin veil the unease that lay within. She did not need to see the way his fingers fidgeted to know he was as happy to be there like a ranger in the royal court. That meant that he would not be there to play games and go to the point.

A pity, she would have enjoyed to pluck a few more of his feathers, perhaps she still could...

``I see, your loss then…, what did you came for then? I must warn you that I have not much time to waste if you came to nag about the political mishaps taking place in the court. Such things are beneath me..

For a slip second his eyes narrowed though not in distaste, almost as if he had found something funny. ``That was not what you said last time we met, General..´´

``Different time, different needs….´´ She replied with a shrug, not giving it much importance, cocking her head to the side as she silently took dragged a letter that had been hidden behind the map, she would have to sent it to Cyndia once she was done here.

She would know what to do with it...

Though he did not argue, Romath did not seemed very convinced about it. The faint moments of his cheeks been the only thing that foreshadow what lay behind that cold mask.

``Of course, I would have expected no less from you...´´

She leaned to the side, her head held with one of her arms while one of her fangs showed through her lips. My oh my, wasn't he the flatterer?

``I will take that as a compliment...´´

``I see, what I came to discuss is of a different nature, even though is related to it. Do you why?´´

´´No, but I have the feeling you are gonna tell me regardless…´´ She paused for a moment, one of her fingers caressing her lips as she offered him a gentle smile. ``Unless you came all this way to visit little old me, Romath? Please..you shouldn't have to...´´

He fought down a bitter sneer as he regarded her. ``No, but I thought fit that I should be the one to personally deliver the news about our deal.…, or the end of it to be more precise´´ He muttered the last words, yet with no less feeling of finality than anything else.

He seemed rather pleased with that too. How touching...

``And...?´´

He did not answer right away, a thoughtful expression warped on his eyes, glaring down at something she could not see before he took a step forward. The tension in his shoulders lessening up just as he attempted to speak.

``Its done, you got what you wanted...and perhaps more all things considered´´

For someone who did not seem to want to be there, he surely was doing his best to be as cryptic as he could.. Her hand stopped stroking her lips and slowly yet repeatedly started tapping the desk as she leaned forward. `

It did not go unnoticed the way he steeled himself at it...

`You say it like it was a bad thing...´´ She cooed softly, almost innocent like.

``Only time will tell…´´

``True...´´ But with the way things are looking we will be lucky to have that time.. She thought.

``I see…, so when shall his majesty allow the trial to take place? I don't believe that they will allow things to devolve even further…, is it not in their interest´´

He looked at her bewildered, eyes widen for a second before he regained his composure, shaking his head.

``I did not say that there would be a trial…´´ He replied, a frown on his face.

That was true. ``You did not, but I doubt that after what took place his majesty will miss the opportunity to make an expectable out of it, the old man needs a way to kill the time after all...´´

Though unlike the last time his majesty decided to play with his toys, this one did deserve what was coming to them….

``Sometimes I have the feeling that you do not understand how your words borderline treachery ´´

``If mere words are capable to hurt you then I don't think you have much future in your position.., trust me, I know what I am talking about´´

He squirmed in his seat, but did nothing else. ``True...´´ He muttered though mostly to himself before keeping quiet, his eyes slowly starting to dart from hers towards the vacant chair before her. It was not long before a moment of indecision crossed over his features.

Had half his face not been hidden from view she would have seem the way he chewed his lips with almost reckless abandon.

``You know what? I think I will take you on the offer´´ He did not wait for her response as he occupied the empty seat,

``Of course, make yourself at home…´´

``Don't push it….´´ He growled though decided not to press on the matter, rubbing the back of his head, clearly disturbed by something. What it was? She did not know, though she could guess…

``When I talked you about the splash needed to get things done I expected some kind of damage, but what you accomplished was far more greater than I could have conceived...´´

``The more the merrier, is it not?´´

``I have reservations..´´

She fought down the urge to chuckle at the polite way he tried to make known his dislike for the end result, instead she offered a smile that showed her fangs.

``Who is free of reservations?´´

He blinked once, then twice before he took a deep breath, leaning towards her desk though holding his head with both of his hands. ``I suppose there is no way in fixing that´´ He mumbled bitterly before he switched his attention back at her ``Who would have known that the man would murder a servant under his employment, burn his office to destroy the incriminating clues and then be be caught assaulting a young lady by his guests, all in a nights worth´´

``I series of fortunate or unfortunate events depending who you asks, no..?´´ She inquired.

He could only give her a weak nod ``Indeed, so how you did it?´´

``Curious are you? Or are you expecting foul play?´´

He shook his head. ``At this point I just want to know…, especially how you managed to get the Ranger Lord on it. I may not know the man personally but I know that he would be conflicted to act against someone he called a friend...´´

Ah, so that was what tickle him the wrong way?

Adorable….

``Actually, he was the only wild card that I had not predicted that day…., and yet it the result could not have been as greater as it was without him..´´ It was not a lie, though a stubborn supporter of the cockroach he had for a friend, his moral compass could not have been more different from the hat wearing cretin.

And the fact that he was respected by some of the nobles that had participated as guest only made his word mean a lot more when he step up and tried to arrest the man for assaulting the blond girl. The rest was nothing more than a series of misunderstandings that were pile up on the wrong target, or in this case..the right one.

So you left it all to chance?´´ He asked, a rather uncertain tone in his voice, clearly incapable of believing such tale.

``Only fools do such thing, it was a calculated risk, nothing else, nothing more…, speaking of which´´ She then stood up from her seat much to his surprise, though instead of walking towards him she moved past him towards one of the ends of the room.

Standing still seconds later as she stood in front of a dagger hanging from the wall, allowing herself a second to question her life choices before she slowly grabbed it, her fingers caressing the cool elven metal as if would crack if not handle carefully before she walked back to her seat.

She then placed the blade between the two...

Romath merely look at her with a rise eyebrow. ``What is this?´´

``A memento, of times long past´´ Of better times… . Her words paused, her eyes lost into the faint reflection of herself over the blade as her fingers caressed it..., a small, subtle hollowness spreading in her chest with each second that she regarded the gift that had once brought her so much happiness. The look of pride in her sisters eyes as she sit right next to her under the fallen leafs…

Her hand clenched. Gods, she missed her. She missed them all….

Why couldn't you stay with us?

``I don't think I understand...´´ Commented Romath, unknowingly breaking her out from her grief.

For the first time since he arrived there she sighed in frustration, though at him, the blame for this matter lay rather on her. ``Of course you wouldn't. Many of the noble families have their rites of initiation when their children are of age, this is just mine...´´

He slowly leaned against his chair, some of the tension that his body had been building loosening up, though not switching his attention from the weapon. ``Why a dagger though?´´

A cold smile warped around her lips.

``Its a signal, a statement that the passing of age has taken place and the one gifted with it accepts both the Legacy of our ancestors and its duty's from their eldest. The weight of what the Windrunner name means, especially in our line of work´´

She glanced at the weapon one more time, still remembering the way fresh blood clung to it like frost…

It had been a fine tool.

``My sister Alleria granted me this blade when I enrolled into the Fastriders just the same day I reached adulthood. The blade is the symbol given form of the duty's that she saw in me that I need to upheld.

``I see, is a rather interesting story I admit, but what does it have to do with anything?´´

``Quite a lot actually, thought first to leave things in context though...´´

He wailed a hand at her. ``Explain..´´

She would have love to, but instead she pushed the ceremonial blade towards him. Ignoring the rather dumbfounded look that this earned from him. ``Could you read the engravings?´´

Though with misgivings the soon to be Grand Magister grabbed the blade and brought it closer to him so that his eyes could get a glimpse of the small, yet masterfully engraved words on the steel. Though not before giving her one last look...

``Honour, duty, loyalty...´´

``Loyalty….´´ She parroted the word, rising her head slightly as if regarding something otherworldly yet the word tasted foul to her, it was easy to explain.

``I have to say that there is little of it in our kin. Mostly reserved for our family, but sometimes not even that as either greed or resentment can drive them away from one another..´´

``Not everyone have the same values of it, General´´

``True, yet we always come to the same conclusion once such event takes place. No matter who we are or where we stand that treason, that such a breach of trust have to be always punished in the most thorough way´´

``Yes...´´ He replied, not entirely sure of what she was getting at.

``No one was meant to die in our deal, yet a corpse was retrieved from the burned remains of the fools office, how is that? Why was she there? Why was she looking for the same information we were looking for?´´

`` It must have been another player in the game, someone that looked for an edge over that fool like us...´´ He suggested, leaning back against the chair in a carefree posture yet his eyes never leaving hers.

She waves at him a knowing nod. ``The idea has some merit, he has ample number of detractors who would wish him fall to keep their positions or rise over his, yet they knew what to look after and where to look. Almost as if they knew what was gonna happen that night...´´ Her voice cracks at the very end, the claws in her gauntlets slowly yet steadily scratching the surface of her desk with an eerie sound.

A slight, barely perceptible jolt ran through him when she rested her gaze on him, which only increased the fury that was beginning to flare up inside her. `` No one knew of our plans, where and what was going to take place…, no one but you´´

She did not continue, she did not had to yet. Instead she remained impassive, silent…., allowing for her words to fly out, to stew, to fester while she regarded the ripples they caused within him.

She would not have to wait long...

``Preposterous, me? A traitor? Please, this has to be some sort of mistake, it could have been just a coincidence...Sylvanas´´

``You are not as smart as you think you are…..´´

``….´´

`` You knew of the books existence for a while already, you were the one that offered that information in the first place. Is simple to deduce that you placed someone inside to watch over the fool…´´

``Perhaps, not that anyone else could have done the same, though I have yet to hear what that does to imply I would do that? There is no way I would do something so reckless like crossing y-

``You made a better deal with the old coot, simple as that´´ He cut him in, her words sharp to the point that they could have rendered flesh and bone alike to mush as she slowly stood from her seat.

His fist started shaking….

Now she understood what was that she had felt since he had entered his office. It was not unease that drove him to act so illogical before her, but rather fear…fear of been finding out.

One that had been realized.

He tried to stand up to her, his lips wrapping against one another, readying themselves to speak up another lie unknowing of the noose already gracing his neck. She was done with his shit, putting an end to it before he could even utter the first syllable as she slammed her fist against her desk.

Her gauntlets cracking the oakwood where it landed. Making him jump from his seat in the process...

``Once my agent would get the material your as well hired killer would sweep the book and brought it to him. You would expose both his dealings as framing me of trying to extort you, taking two birds down with one stone. Especially with the already present animosity between I and his highness...´´

`` The only thing you needed to do was keep things quiet and give it to him yourself, then he would sort things out….´´

Which he had not since she had used the opportunity of the uproar to launch a speedy investigation with the local security forces thanks to the strange nature of the event, where they "supposedly" found the damning information.

Lorthemars presence had been a hidden bonus to it, accelerating the process substantially. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one….

Romath thrived in chaos, but only of his own making….where he could dictate the rules. That had been his mistake.

He did not answer her, rather hanging his head low yet she could hear the way his teeth were grinding against one another in frustration.

She did not care.

She quickly made her way towards him, extending her arm and placing it below his jaw. She softly pushed it upwards so that he could meet her eyes.

``You said once that I was too proud that I would never allow someone to stand with me in equal footing, it seems that the same goes for you Grand Magister..´´ She said before she drop him and walked towards the open window.

She knew that his eyes were following her….

``What are you going to do with me?´´

She rose an eyebrow, that was a good question. Indeed, what could she do with him?

``Me? Nothing, since I got what I wanted I have no more need of you. Besides, thanks to my sister I am firm believer of second chances so I am fine to let this mess be bygones. But if you ever try to cross me ever again, you will wish you hadn't..´´

``I will take that into consideration´´

``See that you do….., so about that trial thing?´´

``Tomorrow morning, at the first hour of dawn…., it will be secluded from the public eye as the council judge their fellow schemer. I was ask to attend as a witness ´´

She guessed that from somewhere they had to pick up the ones who would readily sold Darkham out. Still, picking a open rival to be a witness of your own trial spoke much of the fairness of the justice system of Quelthalas.

Or the lack of it….

``Why the long face Romath? Aren't you now the Grand Magister of Quelthalas? Surely now would be time for celebration´´

``I have not yet been named, General…. though I suspect that it will soon come to pass´´

``And yet I sense that you are not as happy as a man of your new found station should be, how...shocking´´ She replied with fake interest, placing one of her fingers over her shocked expression.

For a moment she could swear she heard a growl come out from him.

``What can I say, I have not forgotten how I found my way into such position, Sylvanas. Nor I think I would do any time soon...´´

``Regretting following my orders?´´

``That is hard to say, not that there is anything I could do about it. You would not allow me to leave this room if I did..´´

``Smart….´´

``No, just stating a fact. Still, I have to say that I am bit surprise to see you still here. After all the hazel you made me go through I would have thought that you would personally see the citizens of Lordaeron leave through the port. It was your idea after all´´

``Where is this coming from? Do you have doubts?´´

``No, merely wishing for you to shed some light in such matters´´

``I see…, to answer your question... no, there is much to do and the stakes are too high for me just to show at the docks for a political stunt. What I did was for both our kingdoms, not for a power grabbing..´´

How vexing it was to have every action considered a slight or a scheme to plot against someone else for the sake of power. Her kin really were obsessed with it…., much to her chagrin.

``I see, how noble of you, general...´´ With the way he worded it she had no doubt what he really thought about it.

``Disappointed? Not that I care´´

``Not in the slightest, though you are not there at the moment I have the feeling that you did not actually wasted such opportunity, didn't you? You sent your sister to represent you, didn't you?´´

``And if I did? Are you judging me, Lord magister?

``Nothing of the sorts, only stating how useful is to have siblings who does anything without question.

``Grumble all you like, Lord magister for I assure you my sister is no ones puppet´´ no matter how many others have tried `` in my defence she already volunteered for the chore long before I even mention it, her knowledge and past experiences with the humans give her a greater advantage than any of those vile snakes you have for friends. Besides….., when it comes for a social interaction she was the best of us, it would have been improper to assign such duty to anyone less qualified´´

``I see.. then we will not be fearing a revolt blowing up at the docks any time soon´´ He said, perhaps in some attempt at comedy to lit up the mood though to a poor result.

She merely shrugged. `` The sooner they leave, the faster the majesty wont be nagging about them and you wont be scoffing at me for our past dealings´´

``I see…, then I can only pray this comes to an end, sooner rather than later´´

``You do that, now I believe that your presence here is long overdue, is time for you to leave´´

``Believe me, I have no intentions to linger here more than you´´ Without waiting for her answer he stood up from his seat and moved towards the centre of the room, a series of bright flashes of light enveloping soon after before he vanished from her sight.

The only sign that he had ever been there were the traces of mana still lingering in the air

With him gone she took a deep breath, giving the ceremonial blade one last look before she returned to her seat. It was not much, but she was glad that at least he was sensible enough not to waste more of her time

Her eyes then landed on the map she previously left over her desk, a frown forming on her features as she regarded the web cracks that had taken Lordaeron by storm, cracks that had form around where her fist had landed.

Like the pulsating veins of a sick dying animal that threatened to spread its malign blood all over the world like a black tide….

The refugee crisis may have been averted far sooner than expected, but that was just a small event in the great scale of things. War was coming...and she would be damned if she did not do anything in her power to win it.

Perhaps that idea of a mobile strike force wasn't that bad after all….

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Kingdom of Quelthalas: Royal docks

Vereesa point of view:

``I have to say…, things have changed since the last time I was here...´´

Though sweet they were she could not help but sigh at the memory as she observed how things have changed in such little span of time.

How the dark yet calm surroundings of a deserted harbour where she had reconnected with both the new and old parts of her life now where bursting with activity and the movement, though this time the figures of both the merchants and the fishermen were replaced with the almost seeming endless tide of humans as well as the Rangers that had been called to assist them, standing around them in their battle regalia yet with their weapons away from their hands, leading them in an orderly fashion towards the thin yet elegant ships that would sail them away to a better life.

Even if that life meant in exile from their former homes….

Some would say that it was a better fate than death at the hands of whatever horrors would await behind them, but she wasn't so sure. She too had been victim of the destruction of ones own home and family, to rebuilt….not everyone would be able to bear the strength to do so.

Not alone…

Her eyes slowly drifted through the port, ignoring the crowded streets with both elven and human alike who tried in their own way to keep things as civil as possible, with one or two exemptions as they caught a glance at the distance of the ships that had already managed to sail outside the port limits.

Remaining eerily still as the waves continued in futility to push them back to shore as if they were miniature wooden castles.

It wasn't that something had happened, but rather that they were waiting for their sisters to sail with the remaining refugees. She only hoped such task would come to an earlier conclusion for she feared the weather would deteriorate even further, halting or putting their efforts to a temporary halt.

Right above their heads, the skies remained shrouded in a cold, looming darkness. The thick blacken curtain of clouds hanging almost by a thread, threatening to unleash their payload over them at any given moment as they drowned the entire city under their shade. The soft howling of the wind had slowly become a roaring growl as the hours went by, bringing forth a chilling wind to brush violently against them. Without the light of the sun, the already murky waters had gained an even darker shade, it was impossible to look down and see the bottom.

Nothing like the tranquil place she had walked through so many times….

Another brush of wind tugged her hood to the side, but she easily managed to keep it under her grasp. It felt as if the world was making known its disagreement with their efforts for some unknown reason. Her grasp over the railings grew tighter, even in the very cusp of their triumph it somehow felt hollow, nothing more than a temporary bump, a small obstacle in the wake of calamity.

She may not be very superstitious about many things like of her friends, considering such views as...outdated at best or just down right nonsensical. But even she could notice that something wrong was brewing in intensity behind the curtains, the world around her merely acting as a twisted mirror to reflect the darkness that was overtaken it.

A cancerous sickness overworking the body until it gave its last breath…., like a foul fever in the blood, beating inside them all like veins about to burst.

It disturbed her.

Was this what her sister had predicted so long ago in her pursuit for order? The true reason she had tried to keep her away for as long as possible? Did she felt the same as she did each day that she rose her head into this unnatural reality? She did not know, and perhaps those questions would remain unanswered for a long time most likely.

A tired sigh left her lips as her hold over the railings lessened, her sister loved a bit too much to hold the cards close to her, and even more her fears. Perhaps once this was all gone and things came back to normalcy the two should have a chat about it.

The two would need it, there were too many things that they had been keeping from each other. Sylvanas with the world going to shit outside their borders;The orcs, the plague, the undead…..and now the strange murder case in Darkhams own home and her with both Nathanos and the voices..

She could not help but bite her lips as that dreadful meeting came to be in her mind. Its gonna be a long day that one….

``Why the long face captain?´´

The sudden intrusion of a well known voice manages to break her out of her stupor, pushing those thoughts away from her line of sight she turns around, she was not surprised to see who was standing behind her.

For a moment she wondered how long had she been waiting there, undetected while she remained lost in her thoughts? She then silently berated herself when she noticed that she had not responded yet to the girls query and had been staring at her all this time.

``Kali…, pardon me I did not hear you coming..´´ She apologized, though if the girl was bothered by it she did not show it. Instead she looked at her with a pensative look, then it darted towards the crowd that lay below them before switching back to her.

That managed to rose an eyebrow from her, normally the chatterbox of the group would have come up with two or five quips by now. Was she planing something…, now that she thought about it, she had not seem Velonara yet. Strange, she had sworn she had come to the docks with her...

But before she could question her about it the blond ranger walked towards her, leaning against the rails to her left.

``Something on your mind?´´

She closed her eyes for a second before she parroted her friends actions. ``Something like that...´´

That seemed to earn a snort from Kalira. ``That's.., abundantly clear. Though perhaps I can get why you feel like that´´ Her smile slowly vanished as doubt crossed her eyes. `` Do you think they will make it to safety?´´

Her eyes frowned as she glared down her own hands. That was the question in everyone's mouths, wasn't it? And though the answer would at times appear clear to see, sometimes it would not.

To sail outside was a dangerous task, they could either become lost in the tranquillity of the sea, sink under the cold waves of the ocean or become a meal of the most daring and aggressive wildlife out there.

So many chances of things going awry…., of becoming just another footnote in the large guide of tragedy's that this world so easily produced, yet rarely remembered.

The memory of Eastof and his nephews appeared before her eyes in the spur of the moment, as if in defiance to the numbness grasping her heart. That genuine happiness of two children who would be going in an adventure, the remorseful yet glad eyes of the aged carpenter as he eyed them from afar…, knowing of the challenges that still lay ahead.

And yet, were they any worse than staying here? Surrounded by people who ignored them at best or disdained them at worst as well as that looming threat of the living dead who had pushed them here in the first place…? Probably not.

In the end, this was just the lesser of two evils, though if she had been given the chance, she would have chosen not at all. The only thing left for her to do was pray she was not wrong.

``I hope so, they have gone through to much in such little time..´´

``True, but with the way things have been going on I think they will need a hell of a prayer to keep danger at bay. You know, with all those undead and the end of the world ramblings they go on and on and- Eh...sorry, I did not want to sound disrespectful...´´ She mumbled at the end.

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She was not mad, it was just that Kalira could sometimes be a bit to direct with the matter. ``Its ok, I too in a way believe that…., though don't tell them that or we will have a panic crowd in our hands´´

``Yeah..that does not sound good…, especially now that there are a lot of them down there. I have to say that I have never seem such a large congregation of living beings in one place´´

`` There were more...´´ The memory of the other large group of humans who could not leave the country though their efforts became more livid in her mind.

Kalira nodded. ``I believe you, your...nephew went out to lead then no?´´ The mention of the young, yet valiant blond teenager shook her more than she thought it would. It had been weeks since last she heard of him, let alone saw him. Where was he? Was he fine? Was he safe?

``Why are you here Kal?´´ She asked, her voice sounding harsh, more than she wanted as she tried to push those thoughts away. The last thing she needed was stab herself with the endless uncertainty that surrounded the fate of her ch-nephew.

The only thing she could do was hope for the best, if barely….

If Kalira felt slighted with the way she spoke to her she did not seem to mind. ``Me? I was making my round through the port and then I found you..´´ She said, she merely narrowed her eyes in response. Crossing her arms below her plated chest to let her known that she was not buying it.

The blonde merely pouted at her. ``Jeez, it wasn't that bad of an attempt, right?´´

``Kalira...´´ She admonished, wanting for her just to stop playing.

``Ok, that may not be the whole true, I was walking around in hopes of not getting mad with all that nose down there but when I saw you there brooding like you usually do when you think no one does. You have to believe me that I could not leave you there´´

She almost spits once she finished that sentence Brooding!? I was not doing such thing! My sister broods! Not me! It really got most of her inner strength to not show half of the outrage of such accusation as she looked at the jokester of a friend she had.

``The gesture is appreciated, but I would rather have time for myself´´

``That is the very same reason why I would not, Vel is just like that when she gets her feathers ruffed in the wrong way…, and though she gets angry when I don't listen to her in truth she wants that´´

``Speaking of her, you two got things sort out? Or are you still skipping things?´´

``We are in the process of get things sorted, a bit here..some there. Though perhaps it would not have happened if she had not ran after me with spear in hand´´

``What was that?´´

``Nothing! Nothing at all….´´ She exclaimed, wailing her arms around in a gesture of denial.

She looked at her, eyes narrowed. ``Riiiiggghhhttt….…..´´

After that the two remain silent for a while, allowing whatever few seconds of peace they had in listening to the sound of the waves and the hurling echoes of a cold, glacial wind brushing against them, bringing forth a humid sensation that chilled her to the bone. Specks of water trailing down their ears...

Cold…, it was too cold for comfort, as if they were nearing the artic lands far to the north of the continent. It was strange, usually it would be at the summer when storms would take over the seas, but it seemed that they were nearing their ugly heads far sooner than expected.

Would the ships even make it under such circumstances?

``I think you should stop that´´ Kaliras words managed to bring her back to the real world, she turned to regard her friend who instead of been watching over was glaring at her with a frown.

``W-what did you say?´´

``That, that look that have every time you look at them like some was clawing at your soul. I think there is no point in dwelling on that, enjoy the present rather that worry about the ifs of the future…, the other way around you will only end up going crazy.´´

``Is not that easy…´´ She grumbled.

Kalira cocks her head to the side, brushing to the side a loose strand of her golden mane. ``Is it not? Is not like anyone is forcing you to worry the hell out for them, is just your head playing with you´´

``And what would you do, nothing?´´

Kalira merely offered her a bright smile. ``That's right, sometimes you must look for yourself even if that sounds selfish. By been here brooding you are not helping them, neither yourself. Just making you look like an oversize vulture...´´

She blinked once, then twice. ``That's...rather wise of you´´

``Well, stick around Vel and me and perhaps some of my genius could rub on you´´

And there it was again, gods...she could be such a clown sometimes.

``No thanks, I am good….´´ She said with a playful smirk, as much as she loved them she would rather not be dragged down by whatever madness the two may concoct. Kali did not seem affected by it though.

The blond ranger shrugged. ``Your loss, anyway...I think I will get going, there must be some fish or two out there in need of rescuing..´´

``Tell Velo I say hello…, and please...keep it quiet, there are children nearby´´ She could only smile as she saw the way the girls ears started to take a deep shade of red, no matter how she tried to look annoyed at her.

``You know you could join us…., if only to watch over the troops´´ Said the lieutenant with a playful grin.

She felt herself grew red at the blunt offer. Gods, this girl was impossible….

``Kal…, that is not funny´´

``Oh I am serious about it, I will not allow that red headed fox to start her harem before I do´´

She admire her resolution, but did she even hear herself?

``What? Lia? She is…., you are just messing with me´´ She mumbled with haste, her eyes darting nervously to the sides, looking around for anyone close enough to get air of them, but quickly breathing with relief when she found out that no one had taken interest in what they were saying.

For now...

``Only because is all too easy, but really...you should know that behind that polite, sanctimonious mask of hers lays a conniving fox, with those damn looks and willpower that seemed to shine at the most of opportune of times that makes others knee to shake. Just look how she has Cyndia wrapped around her finger´´

Sometimes she thought she had already find out where the girls ample yet shredded imagination could lead to, only to be surprised yet again.

``Nonsense….´´

``What!? No! Believe me girl, is only a matter of time before she sinks her teeth in us all, such hunger will never be satiated. Is the way things works with strong, willed women...´´

``By your admission my sister too is trying to get herself an harem…´´

Kalira coughs, sending her a playful glare...it was then that she realized that she should not have said that.

``Well, with all due respect for you and your sister, but the general does have some...dommy mummy tendencies, it would explain why that dry excuse of a scrotum follows her all around like a puppy. Perhaps he likes the pain...´´

She shook her head, a grimace forming. ``Alright, stop..I don't need more horror fuel to my dreams. The ones already there do not need company´´

Kalira sneered at her, waving at hand as she walked away from her. ``No promises are made...´´

I thought you would say something like that… She thought to herself before she too walked away from the platform and walked down the port.

There would be time to worry about what was to come, of the endless tide of death, of the war…, but now her duty was to this people. And nothing else mattered….