Speech ``….. ´´
Thoughts : ..ººº ..
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Vereesa point of view:
Kingdom of Quelthalas
There was something wrong in the air.., a dissonance, a callousness that steeped further and further, an invisible tide wave that brought an ever increasing discomfort to settle at the back of her mind. A feeling of wrongness that she could not shake it off from her as it had become part of her.
As if only to confirm her suspicion she only needed to lean her neck back, far away from her the skies had turned a sick shade of grey, spots of dark appearing more and more on the endless mantle of white that had for so long cover the horizon.
A pattern that was rapidly spreading like a virulent decease….
The wordless promise that soon enough it would start to rain down the fertile lands of her kingdom with a chill torrent, or something far worse. And though she knew that it would not reach her yet, the distance between them too large for even the smallest specks of drop, the cold icy winds that those clouds carried with them surely did.
Brushing strongly against her, sending shivers down her spine.
Which was astonishing as they were still in the middle of the summer, one of the strongest from recent memory.
One would have though that after the events that fateful day, even with all of those people they had managed to redirect towards safety, the remaining refuges of the kingdom would continue to try to flood their gates in that endless tide of bodies, trying to escape from the onslaught taking place back home.
But that did not happen…..
They had stop coming, no more were entire families coming on the doors begging for entrance while their children sobbed without anyone to give them comfort or the casual wayward noble demanding to be left inside with cries of outrage as they tried to appear as well compose as they could after days of travel through the countryside.
Some Rangers were glad that they had turn back, saving them the trouble to reroute them….as they had the others. The very memory still leaving a sour taste in her mouth, one that only increased as that notion led way to remember what her nephew was doing right now.
It had been almost two weeks since she last saw him, two weeks since he had parted away with all those civilians that had not been able to escape through the sea.
His golden hair, dimming from her sight as the multitude followed him into the distance. He was not alone though, her sister had gone through her promise, pulling some strings here and there to pick up those people to safety as fast as they could.
Some that she had known for a long time during their academy years and the second war. But as expected that had not been enough to dissuade her from feeling like that.
She sighed. She knew she was just being….impatient if not down right pessimistic even when her conversation with Kalira still rang through in her head. But she could not help it..., who could though? It was not like it was the first time a Windrunner went out of their way in an expedition….
Far away from home…..
In a time of need….
She wanted to hold her head between her hands, fighting back those memories of the last day she had shared with her.
Looking back, she really should have taught that child who had yet to know the reality of this world.
That not every story ends happily ever after...
It did not help that she had yet to hear from him…., though a small part of her chided her that there would be no such luxury or time to do so in this sort of emergency, secrecy and a quick pace was the key to get them all in one piece through that uncharted territory.
Sending messengers would just be wasteful if not down right careless..…
So with that thought in mind she was left to stew in silence, not like the oversize vulture Kalira had told her to be though...no, just….her own way.
Anyway, she shook her head, it was too soon to worry about it, the way south was long…., more so with whatever complications they could find on their way….
She could only hope for the best and wait…
Wait...
Argh, it was in moments like these that she hated the life of a solider, she really wanted to grab her head and rocked it back and forth. Waiting and doing the same thing over and over again until you were called to do something, and then it was back to waiting...
Taking another look around her she could hardly find anything to change her mind. And she wasn't the only one, this eerie silence that had settle over the fields….., this idle wait had made them, weary, chatty.
Some believed that it was over for the humans, others that whatever had transpired down there was well and truly over, yet what everyone agreed was that those people will never come back.
And that disturbed her even more so...
People fearing for their lives would never accept any kind of prohibition set to placate their arrival, for whatever had scared the shit out off them, would surely be worse than anything that they could do to them.
Especially when despair and desperation were the only forces driven them, if at least that many had reached their borders shouldn't there be more? There were some cities rather close that held quite a large amount of populace…
Like Stratholme….
Unless something had taken place there first…
Still, the idea that the second largest city could have fallen by the undead was quite a stretch…no matter how many times she looked at it.
High walls, a strong garrison and even a cathedral with hundreds of priests…..the best way to stop a large brainless mob of dead meat.
For hours she had patrolled the edges of the border, going past her usual routes to the point of passing through even the smallest of pathways through the forest. Forcing her faithful mount to its limits as the forest around her became nothing but blurs of different shades of colours and an amalgamation of noises.
Looking..., searching, wishing to find any sort of intelligent life…..or "those" things….., living or dead.
But as time went by she did not care what she end up finding, only that she find something.
She chewed her lips with contained disappointment, it was hard not to find way.
The fields that had once became hubs of activity by the human stranglers remained silent. Not even the all too common sound of the common fauna went to greet her senses as she travelled through the terrain.
She had even gone further than she was allowed to, slipping by the forest-keepers as she tried to get as close as possible with the border between the kingdoms, but all that she was met was most of the same view...
Empty...
Silent...
And cold, too cold for her….
This wasn't just wrong, it wasn't even normal, not at all, and no one would convince her of otherwise. The elites may not think highly of it, but she knew that the rest of the populace had to know..., no... they all needed to know.
To see with their own eyes rather than with the stories of the poor souls running away or the more than dark aspects slowly accumulating before their eyes.
They need to know, and fast...
Sadly, bureaucracy and stubbornness did not mix well…..
And here she thought that after getting the humans and their stink out of his beautiful city would have been enough to keep him out of their backs…., or at least say a miserable thank you.
It was not like it would kill him….
Instead they were deny further resources for any future operation and forced to stay put and act like nothing was going on.
Urgh, was it her or Anasterian really could be quite petty when he wanted to be? Her sister somehow had fucked his plans without knowing nor with anyone been able to link that to her…
So why did he keep throwing sticks their way...? She had no idea, crowns surely do make people act rather stupid. And they ended up screwing so many…what else did he need to see to get in his thick head tha message?
Did they needed to have the message painted on their walls with sheep blood with sparkles of gold to make it more exotic?
Yes, that was more likely….and it did not brought any relief.
Her fist clenched into tight fist, the metal talons of her fingers digging their way through the leather to the point she felt numb.
It was a mostly pointless endeavour at this point, whether she or her sister shared the same worries they could do nothing about it if their "wise" king and his closest advisors decided to stay put inside the safety and luxury of their palace and left the rest of the world to fetch for themselves.
One would have thought that once the humans were out of the kings view he would be…..more amiable to listen to reason about the rumoured walking dead, but it seems that she was wrong.
Again...
A dry chuckled left her lips as the tension in her hands slowly faded away, leaving only a feeling of despondency to begin to hang over her.
It was not that she wasn't used to his attitude, or felt that it was out of character whatsoever…, but she felt it overly insulting at this point. What would it take for him to give them a pass out of the kingdom? The fact that they had a plague of Magisters in town by his truly did not help either.
There had been at least three fights between Magisters and Rangers during that week alone, and they were suppose to stay there for two months!? Madness. Only Beloore knew how long it would take before fist and scathing language became daggers and spell blast.
Was this his way to get back at them? For getting Romath perched on his shoulder and forcing him to deal with his fellows when dealing with Darkham? Most likely, especially when he could not prove their involvement about it….
Or so her sister had told her. That did not meant it wasn't any less annoying, or worrisome.
For the longest living king to ever curse their existence, more than the wise stereotype that they tried to teach them since they came out of their cradle it was far simpler for to assume he was a jerk since birth and be done with it until he quick off...
To bad that he had an even more pompous and annoying son…
Crowns don't change people, unlimited power without repercussions does …..
She shook her head, a grimace forming on her lips as she inevitably remembered a certain track of the filed, the ground before her covered in a vast banquet of green with the exception of trail of dried mud from a broken cart. One of its wheels broken, while the rest remained stuck on the ground.
The the moss covering parts of its surface spoke that it had remained there for a long period of time.
She quickly continued her path, moving as fast as she could away from there, yet not fast enough to outrun the ghastly forms of the people that had once trailed that path in their search for hope.
If only she could forget about her last visit to the palace...
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``Please Lady Windrunner, try to control yourself. Such behaviour is not fitting of a Lady of your station´´
Stated a flimsy petulant voice, one that she had the misfortune to have heard enough for the entire day. Its owner a certain decrepit old man who had more resemblance with a stone gargoyle than a real living being.
With his swollen eyes placed barely symmetrical from one another and his sharp twisted nose that could only match his yellowish curved teeth each time that thin line he called mouth parted ways to curse her name once more.
If she was honest his presence would have been far more appropriate at a fare than standing tall before the throne room day and night without end. Though that at least could explain that an eternal frown situated on his face as he gazed at her with unconcealed disdain, what kind of man would do such thing for a living?.
But Beloree he was hideous.
One could say that his exterior matched his insides. A doorman that guarded the monsters den..
``Perhaps if you had not make me wait fours hours standing up without telling anything of use and glaring daggers at me I would act in a more lady like manner, sir´´ She half spatted half growled at the chamberlain.
Though if she believed that he would cower away and shut up then she was for a disappointment.
His nose wriggled in disgust as if he had smelled something sour, his face warped into a scowl before he patted the ground with his cane.
``Hmmpf, you surely posses the manners expected from a ranger, a pity. Your mother surely knew how to act as a proper lady before her betters´´
Had those words been said a few decades ago she may have lash out. Good thing that the corp had a Nathanos then. She would hit him the next time she sees him.
``She sure did, and yet I have yet to see the same courtesy shown by yours truly, someone who by all means is lesser than the dirt from my boots yet tries to act as if you owned the palace. Truly, a pity...´´
She replied softly, dusting off some of dirt that had stubbornly stuck on her gauntlet.
``Why you! He growled back at her, but before he could say anything else another servant approached him and whispered something on his ear, though she could not make much of what they were saying she could guess on the way his eyes narrowed and widened as if he was some sort of foul mutant fish.
Then as fast as the servant appeared he left the room without another word, disappearing through one of the many doors at the end of the hallway.
``It seems that his majesty in his eternal kindness and wisdom has finally arrived from his arduous work with the Magisters. Be grateful that he has finally decided to grant you ungrateful lot the audience you sought so much, finally you will stop pestering me with your presence...´´
`` Oh please, you are embarrassing me..´´ She replied with fake enthusiasm.
``It was not a compliment!´´ He cried out, annoyed.
``There, there...no need to blow a fuse that your body may not recover from old man. Specially after I was given such rare opportunity for audience´´
`` Such a rare opportunity indeed….try not to squander it with your brutish self, or better yet do so.., I would really want to see the guards drag you away, young miss….´´
He said, granting her free view of that hideous smirk of yellow teeth while he tapped dangerously the metal tip of his staff.
The royal guards did not seem to register the open threat that had been delivered to the guest standing before them.
If she was honest with herself she would have wanted to break his teeth…., but she knew that he wasn't worth the effort. Being drag away from the palace for disturbing the "peace" after having to waste this long would be unforgivable.
It only meant that she would get back at him at a later date….
She would treasure that day.
`` As rare as seem you be anything else than a measly arrogant door keeper with a serious case of bad attitude…seriously, I can not imagine why your master would keep such an unruly beast at his doorstep if only to amuse himself´´
She said calmly as she walked forward towards the only entrance of the room, not even bothering to graze the furious chamberlain with a look as she did.
Taking this as their cue the guards standing before opened a path for her while those closest to the doors pushed its massive wooden frame, the hinges creaking slightly as they did. She found herself bringing up an arm to shield her eyes from a bright beam of light that came out from the rooms interior.
By the time her eyes adapted the chamberlain had already walked by her and stepped inside.
``Hmm...I present Captain Vereesa Windrunner of the Fastriders Corps, sister of Ranger General of Quelthalas and the Troll Bane. Survivor of the great fire and vanquisher of Deathwing!´´
Resounded the loud voice of the chamberlain over the throne room before he gave two hard hits to the floor with the lower end of his staff. At least he had not said she was just their sister and be done with it….
She wished he had not yelled her entrance though, not for her pained ears, but as now every possible pairs of eyes in the room were set on them, or in this case, her.
Being the centre of attention was not something that she desired, she was far more at ease when sneaking over the edges of the command room.
Speaking of which, the insides of the room were vast and absurdly decorated, more than the last time if that could be possible though perhaps under the cover of the darkness of their previous meeting she had far more important things to take care than gaze at her surroundings.
A set of golden eagles with their wings in ascension and ruby's as eyes were set along other kind of ornate statures and carvings. Gold and blood red was everywhere where the eye could see, to the point that it was visually painful.
By the corner of her eyes she spotted the many nobles that reside within the royal chamber, standing in different rows to the sides.
Men wearing extravagant vests that more than resembling clothes they look more like peacocks…., women that couldn't have done enough to wear any less revealing clothing and jewels cramming every inch of revealed flesh to gain the attention of the onlookers..
And then there were the Magisters...
Those weasels with their stupid looking garment…, Beloore she was glad that Lia was not here or she would have blow up a casket with their crimes towards fashion.
Who wore in this age a pair of sleeves made out of belts? Who!?
At the distance she easily recognised a certain pair, and Beloree she wished she had arrived any other day for none other than Rommath and Dar`Khan respectably stood before her much to her misfortune.
There was another noble to the left side, though he had not regard her yet, to busy speaking with his companion.
The now Grand Magister stood with his arms crossed before his chest, his cold eyes unwavering as they studied her every move, not moving an inch. His mere presence was towering, unlike the meek and hunched form of his companion who remained mumbling words below his breath. His eyes widen and a gasp was heard when he caught sight of her.
But it would not be for long as a renew fire erupted from within those eyes, a twisted smile warped over his face, failing to hide away the anger growing inside. Anger directly solely on her.
Just what I needed…. She thought with dismay before she finally regarded the man she had begrudgingly come to meet, though for how long was yet to be seem. As usual, the throne that resided next to him was empty.
``Captain Windrunner….I see that you have returned…., sooner than anticipated´´ He said coolly, a brief silence standing between the two before he waved his hand at her.
Believe me...I would rather be anywhere than here… ``It seems that the hands of fate has forced this meeting your highness...´´
His brows narrowed, small folds forming around his eyes before his lips parted.
``I see…., still forgive me for my lateness, but I didn't know of your presence in the palace. I hope this has not caused you any undesired problems´´
He stated calmly, a slight up beat tone on his words though. his face remained a solemn mask.
Vereesa knew that it was a blatant lie, one that the everyone around her knew but was said only to be polite. There was no way he had not known of her presence after so long. Though it wasn't like she could said that, could she?
``It was nothing my King, I am sure that there was something too important for you to address someone of my station´´
The elderly elf nose almost wrinkled as the conceal jab found its target, but nothing else happened.
``Well, that was before. Now what is what you wanted to seek from an audience? I have much yet to do...´´
..Yes, you surely do….. ``I came to inform your majesty over what are your plans regarding the plague that is desolating the Human Kingdom of Lordaeron and its effects on the living…..´´
``Did the corp not send already a missive with that very information a week ago?´´ It was a statement, not a question.
``Yes, but no answer came back to our headquarters, for some reason...´´ She made emphasis on the last words
``In case the message had not arrive we wanted to find out what were your thoughts on the matter, matters that my sister considered of the utmost importance…..´´
..Though we already know which are your thoughts…. ``And so here am I ….´´
While it was Sylvanas who had given her the clearance to enter the royal palace the it was in a sense her own idea to have a meeting with the king. He would not be able to pin any blame on her sister.
``Is that so?´´
He said slowly, his eyes looking at her with a strange glint.
`` Why did she sent you instead of coming herself? I mean no disrespect for your abilities, captain… but if she thought that it was that important, sending you may have not been the wisest choice….especially knowing your past behaviours….´´
..And here we go again…...
She thought grimly, a tired sight leaving her lips as she mentally prepared for what it would certainly be a bitch of an argument. She knew full well that the old hawk had no love for her, their last meeting doing no wonders to their pre-existant hatred.
``I volunteered for the task to bring this plead to your ears, I'm sure that someone of your station would know that my sister have many duties and tasks to uphold for the realm…., surely she does not need to waste her time with empty politeness and useless banter when someone else can achieve the same result´´ She said softly, eyeing carefully the two around her before looking back.
``A rather sane reasoning….yet one that doesn't answer my earlier question, why are you here´´
``What I me-´´
``I know what you meant, captain..´´ He cut her sharply, his voice dripping from him like clashing steel before he started leaning against the throne, eyes frowned into thin lines. ``Now tell us why should send our forces south wards for the dying bleeding husk of our neighbours kingdom?´´
Not an ounce of emotion behind it.
``There are several reasons why we should…..or should have, but first I would like the permission to speak freely, if possible´´
``Denied, continue as you are...´´
..You are enjoying this, aren't you?.. She did not need to turn around to listen to the barely muffled chuckles from the men and women who were no doubtfully observing from afar. Enjoying the free spectacle before their time to shine or burn came.
``As you command...´´ She said as she knelt on the ground.
`` As it has been stated before, this matter is no longer about sending help to Lordaeron, but getting a real look at what these new found enemies looks like, how they operate, how they work. If the time comes to face them..´´ Her words halted slightly as she rose her head and met Anaesterians own eyes.
``We surely should at least know the basis of what we may be dealing with, sending our scouts in small yet fast mobile forces in different directions through the human countryside to cover as much land as possible and get a good grasp of where they might be going next. After all….we are not talking about the Amani´´
``A rather curious thing, isn't it?´´
``What is it, my lord...´´ She inquired, her eyes narrowing.
``That trick of yours…you open your lips and your sisters voice comes out´´
``Is she wrong?´´
Anasterian frowned, a scowl deepening on his face.
``It seems that even to this day you seem awfully sure this….Scourge will come at us….why? ´´ He asked, completely disregarding her previous question. Though she had expected it.
``Nothing has changed my opinion on that matter since we last met, my liege, in fact it has only grown stronger´´
``I see…., yet things have not changed since the last time, have they?´´
``Pardon me, my liege….but I don't think I follow...´´
``Is that so? And why it maybe be though?´´
Before she could say anything her words were cut short when a dull voice came in.
``My apologies my lady, but I believe that what the king speaks is that is not sound advice to master our forces south, there is not enough reason nor gain to fight for a kingdom that remains in shambles and its´´
..Romath... She cursed the name of the man as hard as she could.
``Should there be a military campaign, we would be hard pressed on the front, been the only power to deal with them, let alone the economic strain it would cause to our economy...´´ Said the Grand Magister, quickly earning the attention of the three.
Her surprise would not last long however, standing up from her place as she met his glare.
``We would not be the only ones facing them, Gran Magister….Dalaran, Iron Forge and Gilneas would stand with us against the undead onslaught, and lets not forget of those who remain in Lordaeron that even to this day are still fighting them...´´
``A kingdom who turn tail the first time it got, a kingdom whose clans can not make a clear decision in a decade, and a kingdom whose military forces are smaller than even the private armies of the richest of magisters….as well as the roaming vagabonds crossing the country side of Lordaeron´´
Each word felt like a hammer against her resolve, there was no other way to describe what feeling was cursing inside her. Cracks protruding over its surface with the simplicity the man spoke those facts with his blasted cold logic.
``I beg you to pardon my skepticism , my lady….., but the odds don't favour us….´´ He spoke out with an apologetic glare, she gritted her teeth. He was not sorry at al….
``And though as saddening is to see a fellow civilization crumble by the folly of their leaders as well the cunning of their foes to exploit such weakness…., we can not act with haste, do we even know if the royal family lives? Where are these suppose resistance? How could we unite these factions to fight with us when we are….the least favoured by them?´´
That was a good point, cynic on its wording though….as-well one she did not had a clear answer to it.
``Just like in the second war, We.. will find a way, we can not stand idle while this menace grows stronger, we did it when the Horde first came through the Dark portal and only misery was brought to our borders for our passivity, now another threat looms over the world and you wish to do nothing? Is that your great master plan? Do nothing!?´´
``Captain Windrunner, your forget yourself´´ Warned the king
She could already hear the friction of her teeth grinning. Fools, the lot of them.
``Well said Grand Magister, though your words are harsh to the naive and foolish they still speak the truth….sometimes the best thing to do, is do nothing´´
``With all due respect, Lord Richwood….unless you are gonna said something useful I would rather not hear it´´
``And with all due respect, ranger…. surely even you understand that any attempt we make its doom to failure at this point…., why waste lives when it wont change anything? His majesty has assured us that what has taken place in the human homeland will not happen here…., there are hundreds of kilometres between us….why would they risk enticing our wrath? It would be illogical to say the least´´
She wanted to laugh at his face, only an idiot who have lived all his life in the comfort of the city walls would say something like that.
..This is not about logic or reason….this is about extinction.. ``Isn't that the same argument that was made when the Horde ransacked Storwind? The very same argument you defended? Tell me...oh wise Richwood….what did those savages end up doing?´´
The jab struck dead centre, the man's face quickly taking a deep shade of red as the muscles of his body tensed, eyes open wide with both shock and anger.
``You dare-´´
``Oh but I do...because I fear that I am the only one in this room who has not yet lost their mind, distance means nothing when they want to conquer us all anyway...but I suppose that you wouldn't know about it, not with all your games and empty rhetoric….´´ She spatted at him.
``You will regret this, girl….you are speaking with-….´´
``That is enough my good Lord Richwood I fear that the lady is too much for you…..´´
Said Romath, halting the man on his tracks, earning a hateful glare from him before he huffed in annoyance and stepped back.
``Though your words were uncalled for….my lady, I understand where they came from...´´
``Is that so….then why not share it with your fellow colleagues Grand magister? For all I am seeing I am speaking to a brick wall...´´
``The royal council is not a brick wall…., though perhaps the comparison does hold some credit´´
He said much to the baffled expression of both Richwood and Darkham.
``Now, it must be known that we are not blind to the struggles that have taken place outside of our borders or how important these matters are to you….´´
``You would have fool me...´´
``And if possible we would like to extend my aide….to those lesser in such dire needs´´
``Then you should not be stopping us-...´´
``But we are a council, we must act as one, we can not act by the wishes of the few…..and his majesty wishes have been very clear on the matter. We wont go to war to Lordaeron...´´
``How could you…, people are dying by the droves out there…´´
``People die every day…., anywhere at anytime….and y et we are not worrying about it, are we?´´ This time spoke another voice, with a more baritone tone. With a sideways glance she caught side of a much rather young elf...his skin tone a little more tanned.
Vylon, the lord of ships she realized.
Her eyes narrowed with distaste at the contentious and callous smirk forming on his lips when he caught a glimpse of her anger.
``Had we, we would not be this great nation, we would not be here at all. It is sad, really…but ironically the Alliance of Lordaeron died when the orcs were defeated, the undead did nothing more than make sure it stayed dead, six feet under the ground´´
..Yeah, and now it has rose from such ground and its probably marching down on us….
She felt her heart throb painful inside her chest, a burning sensation quickly spreading within. Her breath came to a halt, the muscles of her neck growing tense with each passing second, her jaw clenching tightly, sealing her mouth shut in the process.
Saving her and them the need to hear what she really thought. Though what a wonderful expectable would that have been. Yet for all that she wanted to curse them, she could not deny a sick part of what he said….
The Alliance of Lordaeron was well and truly dead, but not because for overachieving their goals, but because of the unchecked narcissism of her own countrymen.
Guess that generation after generation of classism and nepotism would do little to make them more sympathetic towards those outside their bubble of ignorance.
``It was for this very same reason that I wished your sister had sent someone else, be grateful that I will let it slide this time, but do not test my patience any further. Is it there anything else you would rather left be said?´´
She shook her head. ``No, I am done...with you all´´ She growled, walking away from him, not even deigning to regard his answer at all.
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Be damned politics and all of those who practice it, nothing good had ever come from it, nor she expected it would in the following thousand years.
Things would be far more simple with out it, of that she had no doubt.
Long gone were the green fields and the sweet scent of the forest, replaced by the simple yet warm floor of crafted wood of their secondary headquarters. Her steps echoed over the almost empty hallways of the Rangers lodge, not focusing or meeting the brief furtive glances of those she met on her way, her thoughts too focused on the reason she was there in the first place to actually perceive them.
It did not take long for her to find what she was looking for. A simple, modest looking door…., identical to all the rest on the building. The colour of their frames non existent at this point, chip out by centuries of lack of proper, or a paint job to be more accurate.
And yet, why did her hand hesitated?
Her hand, resting on the doorknob remained still…..waiting for her to turn it slightly and give it that little push to open it.
Why had she called her? Why did she thought fit to use proxy's instead of sending a message by normal means? Why here of all places? There could be a myriad of reasons behind her sisters reasoning, yet most of them were not exactly good news.
Had the situation deteriorated…..?
Had the Scourge invaded…...?
Or had something happened to Arathor?
That last thought sent ripples inside her, a ball of ice forming within. Two weeks with nothing but silence, could this be…. Arathor, my boy.…..´´ Was that why she had called her? To give her the news personally?
But if so... then why not the Spire? Was it not far more personal and secluded from someone elses ears? Something was not right….
Opening the door of her sisters office she found her rather busy with what seemed to be large piles of papers that were stocked to the sides of her desk. her long hair barely waving out of place when a current of air went pass her through the now open door. Her long ears perking and twisting tilting to the side in a very cute way.
Slowly she stopped writing..., leaving her quill so that she could properly greet her.
``Sis, did you call for me ?´´
``Yes, please take a sit lady Moon´´ She gestured to a chair in front of her. ``I hope that my message did not disturb you…..´´
Lady? Not little Moon? That told her that the matter of their reunion was strictly business rather than a social call.
She shook her head. ``Not really, I was thinking of coming here to see you anyway, nothing but more of the same out there…..´´
She replied, taking off her quiver form her back and placing it against a wall.
``So…. what happened? Did the king finally had a stroke and his son has given us permission to go out or Nathanos has dyed his hair?´´ She asked with a bit of competent as the memory of their conversation still lingered on.
Though of the two she wished the prior...but she knew that would never happened in her lifetime at best. Still, one could hope, no?
She saw her sister sight as she pinched her nose, for some reason she felt cold, as those thoughts started to die out ``No, and no….on both accounts. Truly a pity if you ask me but nothing we can do about it can we?´´
``I see….indeed a pity, nothing have changed then, is it?´´
``No, the King and his advisors continue to think...or not think at all to be correct in that regard as we both know, to the point I have got fed up enough from this senseless waste of time….``
..You and me both...
``I have the feeling that you are gonna do something drastic´´ ..Again…
``I think anything we do is drastic under their eyes´´ She said calmly, a perfect smile warping around her face.
``Anyway, its time we do something about this. So against their "common sense" I am going to send you outside´´
A second passed, then another before she stood up from her seat and glared at Sylvanas as if she had grown another head.
``Outside!? She exclaimed, surprise to say the least though no less glad for it.
``Shhh, there are wards to block the nose but do you want the whole building to hear us?´´ Chided her Sylvanas.
She could only rub the back of her head in embarrassment.
``Ah, well..sorry. Anyway, weren't our orders to stay?´´ She apologized sheepishly before she snapped out of it and asked right away.
She asked, a bit confused about the whole matter… Yet when she saw that smug grin warping over her sisters lips, the very same one that always came before something real bad (for someone else) she knew that it was a lot more than that.
..Uh, oh...what do you really have planed sis….?..
``Technically you will be sent on a patrol over the Shattered coast….that boring, wet and filled with fish and murlocs place...´´
..As well as salamanders and lizards among other things…. ``I sense a but in there...´´
``But in truth you and those among you will be rather far away from the coast, or any coast…. I am going to sent you to scout out the closest towns of the Kingdom of Lordaeron. I have relocated those that were about to do that shores and put people I trust to cover the story so no one will question you. Still I must warn you that you and the others can not be seem´´
`` I see….so which is our entrance point?´´
Going through the gates is out of the question and travelling through the forest without out anyone of the border Fastriders would be naught but impossible, luckily we got a better way´´
If the most common way to walk through was not possible, then that meant-...?
``Magic...?´´ She said softly, still a bit uncertain whether that was what her sister was hinting at.
Her worries were lifted from her shoulders when Sylvanas nodded.
``Magic, we got Nathanos hearthstone enchanted so take a far greater number of people towards his homestead at Lordaeron. It can only be used twice before its power runs out but it will suffice. From there you will have free reign to explore the human kingdom´´
``That's….actually brilliant, how did you do it?´´
``Romath may be a cold hearted bastard, but he do owe us a favour or two….and I am calling the debt´´
``He did...what?´´
It did not made sense in her mind, the last time that she had saw him he had done nothing but interfere and block her advances on their goals. So why do that?
``Oh, don't look at me like that sis….you should know that I am the negotiator of the family´´
A sweat-drop started sliding down her head at that. .. No, it only means that you have your hands around his balls and can start squishing at any time…
``So Nathanos stead? Who would have thought I would get to see his evil den….tell me, is it fill with spikes and nails? Brutalized animals and demonic incantations painted in the walls with blood of virgins….?´´
``Nah, is not something out of the world, besides he is not using it any more so you wont have to spend the night there….the view is not bad, though smell is awful´´
``I see that you did more than pick a stray out there...´´ She muttered with a smirk, gazing at the way her sisters ears quickly folded while a her brows furrowed slightly.
``I believe that humans are to big to be considered strays…...sister´´ Lady Moon pointed out.
She cocked her head to the side, a rise eyebrow. ``So you do not deny it?´´
Sylvanas merely toyed with a loose strand of gold hair.
``To deny something would be to accept shame, do I look like I care?´´
``Nope, you are the most shameless person I have ever known, do you know some rangers have made a shrine to you in hopes to get whatever godly luck sticks with you?´´
``I don't know whether to feel honoured….or displeased.´´ Muttered her sister as she rolled her eyes.
``Whatever you feel more like it…..still there is a part of me that is glad that I did not had to call him brother in law, the very thought brings me shivers….. without disrespect to your choice though...´´
``Non taken….´´ She said curtly, though it felt a little more strained than it should.
``Now, going back to what we were talking about... do you understand what is at stake? This is a dangerous mission sis….though it would wrench my plans you are still in time to refuse...just said it and I will try find someone else´´
``And do what? Play with my thumbs while I have to nod my head towards all the nonsense our beloved leaders are sputtering? Nah, I will take my chances with the living dead, at least they will not try to kill me….of boredom´´
``Like mother like son I guess...´´
``I will take that as a compliment...´´
``Of course you would…..you will be the one in charge of the operation, Nathanos and Liadrin will go with you with some troops to in case if anything comes to blows´´
She could not help but to close her hands at the mention of the Ranger Lord. Quick flashes of their encounter passing through her eyes. Souring her mood….
``Do you expect trouble?´´ She asked, her tone growing a little more weary as she studied her sisters reaction.
``Always, besides…., with all the things that have happened lately I would be disappointed if you didn't´´ She said with a smirk before it vanished, leaving only a stern expression in its wake.
`` Still, don't take any chances and return once you have gotten the necessary information. There is no need to engage any enemies if its not absolutely necessary, is after all a lot harder to explain why a good ranger died in the middle of a safe zone….´´
She couldn't avoid to giggle, even if that had been some dark humour she knew how her sister cared for those under her command
So more than a battle group to strike they would be the eyes and ears of her sister to get a good grasp of the enemy's strength and fighting capabilities if it came to that.
A rather practical approach, and one she liked so far...
``I have to admit that I did not thought you would manage to convince Lia to do something like this...she has always been someone by the book, never partaking in our pranks since she became a priest. Perhaps there is still there that troublemaker part of her...who would have known?´´ She said with amusement.
Her sister did not reply, her ears slowly folding against her golden hair. It did not took long for her to realized why.
``You...you didn't´´ She muttered weakly, her eyes widening when her sister refuse to meet her glare.
``I told her that we had been given permission to ride down there in a search and rescue mission, its not exactly the truth….but I believe the alternative would be worse. You know how worried she has been when the humans started appearing out our gates….and if that wasn't enough then the stories they brought with them would surely make one of the most vocal voices about this mess...´´
``And so…..I decided to tell her what she needed to know´´
..You lied to her…?.. There were so many things wrong with that line of thought that she could not begging to state it. One thing was a rival or well...the rest of the world.
But a friend? A childhood friend at that…!? That did not set well with her..
``She is not going to like this…´´
Her sister had at least the decency to look trouble by that, if only for a brief moment.
``Many are not going to like this, yet We need those we can trust on this plan, those who we know personally…as far as I am concern the number of people we can trust with this is growing thinner every day, we have been poking them and this is their answer´´
``….´´
Her sister sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose.
``I know, I know….I sounds like a complete hypocrite speaking about trust when I have done completely the opposite…, but she is one if not the best when it comes to her craft and I already prepared her alibi weeks in anticipation. I just cant let go such chance to waste….´´
``Still, this...feels wrong, are you sure we cant just tell her? Is Lia we are talking about...´´
To be friends for so long, only for them not to trust her enough for something like this...it felt like treachery. They were suppose to be better than this.
Sylvanas sighs once again, placing one of her hands over her plated shoulders, possibly sensing the distress inside her.
``I know this news troubles you, but I have to do this…..,We have to do this...for the sake of the realm if nothing else, can I count on you?´´
That was it, wasn't it? Could she…..? Could she lie to her if it meant to reach their goals? After all, what did matter her feelings in comparison with the lives of countless?
She did not want to hear the answer….
``Think of Arathor, of Estolf, of the countless poor souls that have been claimed untimely by these terrible events….. and know that there are countless more like them in dire need for our aid, our people who remain oblivious to these darkness that is looming above them…. .
It wasn't fair…, she knew what her sister was doing. But was any less true what she was saying?
``They need us Little Moon, more than ever...even if they don't even know it, even if they grown to despise us for it...´´ She said as she placed a hand over her shoulder, giving it a soft pad.
She closed her eyes, she was right….. this went further than a matter of trust for far too much had been lost and what little remained was at stake. There was no time to be afraid of such things.
``Is this truly the only way?´´
``Afraid so….´´
``Would you have done it even if it was not?´´
``You already know the answer to that…, sister´´
She looks away, clenching her hand tightly. Closing her eyes briefly before looking back at the expectant ones of her sister.
Waiting for the answer…
Her lips part ways yet nothing comes out of them but air, the words are just at the tip of her tongue. Pushing one another in their attempt to come out….
She sighs, closing her eyes for a few seconds…
When she opens then she knows what it has to be done.
``I wont fail you, sis….´´