Arthas groaned, laying his head onto the wood of the table. His head was aching. It felt like his head was rent in two.
The voices around him hurt. Why was he at breakfast? Arthas doubted he could eat a simple piece of toast. Oh, wait. Sapphire had dragged him out of bed and forced him to come.
Someone poked him. The man reluctantly sat up, and looked.
Serenity smiled up at him. She was sitting next to him, with a book in her lap. "Good Morning, Grandpa. What's wrong?"
"Hello, Serenity...I'm a bit hung over."
"What's that?" The girl asked, confusion in her bright blue eyes.
"Don't worry about it. I just don't feel good."
"Ooh. I'm sorry. Want a hug to make you feel better?" The girl asked. She did not wait for his reply, and wrapped her arms around Arthas's waist. He patted her on the head.
"Yeah, that makes me feel a little better. Thank you."
He looked around. Sapphire was scolding Arty for letting his dog sit in one of the chairs. Arty tried to make the argument that his father was dog, and Alfie was just as much family as Ethan was. Sapphire wasn't having it though. Arty reluctantly had to have his dog just sit on the floor next to him. Rot and Terra were underneath the table too, looking for scraps. Ni'kua sat at Ethan's feet, who was reading letters.
Calia was wolfing down her food. Next to her, Terenas sleepily yawned.
The doors opened, and someone came running in. It was Kamthuk, one of Arthas's living knights, ones that he had used to replace dead deathknights, but did not want to kill them just for that purpose. He was a young orc, younger than Sapphire and Ethan. He had been one of the children two necromancers had adopted. He always wanted to impress Arthas, and did so by doing anything the man asked as fast as possible.
"Master! I came back to the Citadel after guard duty and found you gone!" The orc cried out.
Arthas groaned again. He did not want to have to deal with this. Sapphire was kind enough to take over though.
"Good morning, Kam. Arthas is recovering from a fun time with Lethumo. I think he wants to be left alone. Have you had breakfast?"
"No, ma'am. I came straight here!" The orc said, puffing out his chest with pride.
"Good for you. Why don't you sit down and eat? Our cooks have made some great snowberry muffins. Do you want one?"
The orc could not protest to a meal, and Sapphire had him sit next to her. She distracted the orc enough for Arthas to stir himself.
The man reluctantly took some warm tea, and some toast. He did not even look at the jam or butter.
Ethan growled in frustration. "There's a group of iron dwarves causing trouble up in the Storm Peaks. Tanomoan wants to know if he should deal with it. I am afraid by what that means, little bugger. He also wants a shipment of fish next time the zeppelin comes in."
Sapphire smiled. "The proto-drake eggs there might be hatching soon. Probably will feed them that. Also, Blight loves fish."
Arthas decided to weigh in. "That shouldn't be a problem. Isn't that one of the major things you do?"
"Fishing, shipping, and ranching down here in the Fjord. The Grizzly Hills is a great source of lumber and farming."
Sapphire smiled. "But Icecrown has the biggest population. And Dragon's Peak seems to be the most technologically advanced. Don't tell Tanomoan though. That would just fuel his arrogance. Too bad Tanomoan didn't settle in the Borean Tundra. Then he wouldn't be so dependent on us and Scourgeholme for supplies."
Arthas shrugged. "Tanomoan wanted a safe place, one that couldn't be attacked. He's not that big yet. He is bigger than Invincible, but that is small compared to any of the frostwyrms. Much less Glacier."
That was true. Tanomoan was still small for a dragon. Blight was worse, his growth stunted. He was the size of a normal adult dog. Sapphire had learned that twilight dragons grew from, and that was the reason for his small size. She had been planning on trying to fix him, or at least find something he could feed from. Definitely not her.
Ethan put the letter away. "I will tell him he can have the shipment he asks for, and to try diplomacy with those iron dwarves first."
There was a distant ringing of bells. Sapphire stood up.
"All right, kids. Time for school."
Collective groans rose from around the table. Sapphire gave them a dark look. The children all stood up, and ran out of the room.
Sapphire turned to Kamthuk.
"Kam, would you go make sure they make it to school. Especially Calia."
"Yes, ma'am! Which one is Calia?"
"The black-haired girl. She's been known to not arrive at school, and somehow ending up stalking alleyways. Drag her if you have to."
"I'll do that!" The orc said. He made to leave, but grabbed a muffin before following after the kids.
Ethan got Arthas's attention. "Also, a Forsaken dark ranger killed one of my hunters. We are looking for it now."
Arthas straightened up, disturbed by this news. "Did you bring the hunter back?"
"Yes, but I have given him a week to come to grips. He has taken his death hard."
There was a sigh from Arthas. "Not everyone can handle their own deaths. Much less being brought back. Did he have family?"
"A undead wife. She was upset, but not distraught. I gave her and him some money for his death. And a paid week off," Ethan said. He pulled out another letter, and scowled.
Arthas rubbed his forehead. The headache was still rather terrible.
A worgen came walking into the room as Sapphire was eating some bacon.
"My King and Queen. Lich King. Lord Kel'thuzad is here."
Arthas snarled. "Oh, what does he want!"
Sapphire stood up, eating her bacon. "I'll take came of him."
She left. Ethan looked at Arthas, and shrugged.
Sapphire walked out of the dining room, and followed the worgen. The two made their way into the main hallway of the Howling Keep.
The lich was waiting there. Sapphire had trouble sometimes with determining the lich's moods, but he did not look happy. To her shock, he had Angelica with her. The little girl was sitting on the floor, hugging a kitten.
"Hello, Kel'thuzad," Sapphire said. The lich turned to her.
"Granddaughter-in-law," He replied dully.
"What are you doing with Angelica?" Sapphire demanded. She went over to her sister, and picked her up. The girl hugged Sapphire tightly.
"Taking her away from that...woman. Given a choice between Arthas and her, I would prefer Arthas."
Sapphire raised an eyebrow. "I thought you two would like each other. Especially since Mother is a bit darker now."
"Doesn't make her any more likeable to me. Where is your idiot of a father?"
"Trying to suffer through breakfast with a full power headache." Angelica grabbed her sister's fur-lined cloak and tugged at it. Sapphire brushed her away.
"Yes, I can feel it...I need to give a stern lecture with him," Kel'thuzad growled.
"Aw, leave him alone for now. I think he's been punished enough by the nature of alcohol."
Kel'thuzad made a noise of irritation. He looked around at the Keep.
"The boy has done well for himself, has he?"
"What, Ethan? Yes. We have our own kingdom, a city and several towns and villages. Ethan has very good relations with both clans of furbolgs in the Grizzly Hills. And I am the only powerful mage and necromancer in miles."
"Yes...Not to mention the Owl. Silent creature of the night that discourages any from turning their eyes and minds to the North."
Sapphire stared at him hard. "I am not explaining myself."
"I never asked you to, girl. I just wish to inform you to be a bit more careful. After all, if I found out about it, I might just tell Arthas by accident."
The girl scowled. "What do you want, bag of bones?"
"Why, to spend more time with my granddaughter-in-law, and of course my great-grandchildren."
"And why are you feeling like giving your family more attention now?" The girl said.
Angelica looked between the two of them. "Because I am not...something about magic. Kelly wants to see if my cousins are more magical than me. Also, he wants to persuade you to be his pretense...a pretense."
Sapphire opened her mouth, and folded her arms. "Apprentice? And what about my children? Sister, why don't you go find Father?"
The younger girl looked at the two of them, and went over to retrieve her kitten. "Kelly, You in trouble..."
"Here, my lady. This is the report from John Windsweeper, about the shipping route from here to Icecrown."
Sapphire took the papers from the undead man, and leaned back into her throne. She examined the letter, then the map for the proposed rout. It went very close to Dragon's Peak. It could also be used to get Tanomoan supplies on the way to Icecrown. And the ship Windsweeper owned was an icebreaker, so it would be able to handle the dangerous waters.
"Thank you, Tom. I will go talk to John later. about this."
The undead smiled. That Sapphire remembered his name was an honor. Sapphire would have betted with Bolvar that Tom would tell everyone he knew that Queen Sapphire knew his name.
The doors in the outer hallway banged open. Sapphire sighed.
"She's angry. Go out the back way."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Tom left quickly, just as the inner doors burst open. Jaina came storming in. Sapphire just smiled sweetly.
"Hello, Mother."
"Sweetheart. Sorry to barge in like this. Where is he?" Jaina said, her voice barely containing the anger she felt.
"If you are referring to Ethan, I am not supposed to tell you if you want to cause him harm. If it is Kel'thuzad you want, then he's in the Trophy Room. If it is Dad...Go easy on him. He's in the garden."
"Thank you, Sapphire. And don't worry. I will clean up after I am done."
The woman walked off. Sapphire felt like she should be concerned, but did not do anything.
Rot struggled in Angelica's grip. She was slowly squeezing his guts out, quite literally. His stitches were being strained by the vigorous hugging.
Angelica kissed the rotten plaguehound on the head. Rot woofed. Terra sniffed Angelica's new kitten, Fluffles. The little black creature hissed and swatted at Terra. The puppy barked angrily, and ran of.
"Angelica, let go of Rot."
The girl giggled, "Can we take them home? I love Rot and Terra."
"No!" Arthas cried out. He was horrified by the thought of the plaguehounds living in the Citadel again.
Angelica let go of Rot, who ran off whimpering. Terra followed. Both Arthas and his daughter were sitting in the gardens of Howling Keep. Sapphire had become very attached to her gardens. Orange Tiger lilies lined the pathways. There were trees with bright red fruit. Sparkling Frostcap mushrooms grew in circles. In a small pool, tiny fish swam around lily pads. Sapphire's pride and joy, several bushes of deep blue roses, were carefully tended. That was where Arthas sat, watching Angelica plat around.
The girl went over to a rose, and sniffed it.
"Ooh, smell pretty. I want one."
Arthas chuckled. "Okay...Here, let me pluck it. It has thorns."
The girl watched her father get the flower. The man carefully removed the thorns, and held it out to his daughter. The girl squealed.
"Arthas..."
The man flinched and looked up. Jaina looked down at him, arms folded with a scowl on her face.
"I was drunk," He said angrily. "Lethumo kept telling me things about you while I was drunk...It's his fault!"
"I know, Arthas. You weren't in your right mind. I have come to take you and Angelica home."
The man raised an eyebrow. He stood up, and Jaina kissed him. "Come on home. I was cold last night..."
Mystery sniffed Sapphire's had and found the sugar cube. The horse ate it up.
Sapphire rubbed Mystery's head. The horse was a large covered in blacks and white splotches. She was thick-legged with fur covered hooves, with a wide back and deep chest. Her long mane draped over her neck.
Ethan had insisted to Sapphire that Mystery was a draft horse, but Sapphire had adamantly told him that she was a war horse. Arthas had said that she was just a draft horse too, and he would know. But Sapphire had refused to listen, and bought Mystery off of a man in Elywyn Forest. She said she wanted her own horse.
"Hey, Mystery. Want to be ridden today?" Sapphire asked.
The horse nodded, neighing. She nuzzled the girl for more sugar. Sapphire pulled out another sugar cube, and held it out. The horse took it gratefully.
Grabbing the saddle that she had put on previously, Sapphire lifted herself up. Mystery needed no reins or direction. She went off as soon as Sapphire was settled. Her hooves made satisfying sounds against the hard roads. Sapphire rode Mystery into New Alterac. There was a lot of traffic on the road. Mystery was not the only horse on the streets, but most of the others were skeletal. Some pulled wagons. Others were being ridden by guards.
"Your Majesty," One deathknight said, riding a deathcharger past Sapphire.
Children ran in the streets, nimbly avoiding the traffic. Sapphire watched a little human girl chase a little troll girl.
She entered into a marketplace, and dismounted from her horse. She wrapped her cloak around herself, and walked over to a shop.
Opening the door, Sapphire entered it. Bottles and dried herbs lined the shelves of the dark front room. Sapphire looked around.
An old cultist came from the door in the back. She was an old orc, with a broken tusk and weathered skin.
"Ah. Here because of your daughter again?"
Sapphire nodded. "Yes. Her nightmares are still bad, but I think that potion you gave me has helped."
"Perhaps a stronger dose?" The women asked. She went back through the door, and a couple of minutes later came back carrying a couple of vials.
"Here, take these. Give them to her with something to drink before bed. Also, here is some fur softener for your husband."
Sapphire smiled. "Thank you. He will like that."
The girl pulled out her money, and paid for it. Taking her purchases, Sapphire left the shop.
"Hey! It's Queen Sapphire!"
The girl was attacked by a mob of children. She smiled, and held up the potions so the glass bottles wouldn't break. She smiled at the kids, and prepared to be bombarded with questions. By the time she got home, it was dinner time.
Owen Snowfur walked through the forest, heading toward the coast.
Bernie, his plaguehound, trotted ahead of him, panting heavily. The dim-witted, large dog looked back at his master, and woofed in his deep voice.
"I am coming. I am coming!" The worgen said, chuckling. He was a big brown worgen, with a thick muzzle and broad shoulders. A crossbow was slung over his shoulder. King Ethan had appointed Owen as a royal hunter, and given him Bernie. Owen's job was to wander the wilds of the King's territory. Owen had yet to meet any of his fellow hunters this season. But that was fine to him. He did not like other people, preferring just Bernie as company.
He would have taken two plaguehounds, but Ethan said only higher-ranking hunters could have more than one. In two years, Owen could have another. Maybe one that was smarter than Bernie. He was okay, loving and caring, but Bernie had been know to get his head stuck in all kinds of things.
As the coast showed through the forest, Owen wondered if he should try to find some nice oysters to eat for dinner.
Owen scowled. How odd. A ship was in the water, not moving. Some long boats were coming toward shore.
The ship did not look like the usual ship. Most of the ships that King Ethan owned had white sails with a wolf on them. This ships sails were dark colored, and the shape of the ship was a bit different looking. Owen couldn't tell much about the ship, it being so far away. But it was not Scourge.
Owen grabbed Bernie before the dog could run off. "Hey, hey. Bernie. This way. Follow me."
The dog woofed, and looked at his master. The worgen started heading back they way they came. Bernie whined and looked at the sandy beach next to water. Reluctantly, Bernie followed.
The long boats landed, and the ones that were on them jumped into the water, pulling the boats up onto the beach. All of them were undead, but they were not Scourge.
Forsaken men unloaded the weapons off the boat. Two hooded men left the boat. They watched the proceedings with a bit of impatience and boredom. They did not care what the Forsaken did. The Forsaken were just a means to an end. The Scourge could crush the Forsaken, and the two men would not care.
They just wanted do to one thing. Get one person.
Sapphire.