Chapter 19

A few hours later …

Sylvanas looked down at the sleeping form of Alyna. She was sat up on the bed, her legs stretched out as the fragrant fumes of Alyna's sleep stick hovered in the air. The darkfallen was facing away from her as she slept, and she could see the two long dark wounds on her back, just inside her shoulder blades.

Without thinking, she reached out to touch what remained of Alyna's wings. Though the wounds were closed, she knew Alyna still felt their absence through a constant throb. As her fingers moved onto bare skin, the woman shifted, and rolled over, snuggling into the queen's leg and resting her head near her hip.

Sylvanas froze at the intimate position, and then relaxed as she told herself it was an unconscious move on Alyna's part. She moved her fingers to brush the white hair from her ranger's face, before resting her hand on the pillow to gently stroke her head. She had watched Alyna use the sticks a couple of times, and she envied what she could see in the relaxed features. She had never asked Alyna what she saw as she used them, but by the look of it, it was of happier times. On the rare occasion that they had put Sylvanas to sleep, she had only seen her nightmares.

She felt calm watching Alyna. For years all she had felt was hatred and rage. She had even fostered it. That was now being tempered, slowly, by being close to Alyna. If she was being honest with herself, it scared her. What else would she begin to feel once the rage subsided enough? When hate stopped being the first thing she felt, what would be behind it?

Could she risk finding out?

She had agreed to Alyna's request for equality because it would be a private thing between them. No one else would know. Her people would still see her as the indomitable queen. They would have their secret and she would not be seen as weak. She hoped it would be enough. She knew Alyna would not wish for a romantic relationship, but what terrified the queen most was she knew she was capable of falling in love again if she ever truly let her guard down.

She had to make sure that didn't happen.

No matter the comfort she found with Alyna, or how blissful the escape was from her rage when they slept together … Arthas had to pay. She could only make sure that happened as the Banshee Queen.

Alyna's eyes fluttered open and immediately looked up at Sylvanas. She stopped stroking her hair and looked back at the woman. Neither of them smiled, but their faces were both relaxed.

It was Alyna who broke the spell first. "When will you be back at Vengeance Landing?"

Sylvanas thought on her answer. Sharing had not been a concept she had done easily in life, and it was certainly going to be a challenge now. She swallowed her reluctance, and replied, "I hope to pass through in three weeks. Putress should have got himself set up by then somewhere, and I want to keep an eye on his progress."

The darkfallen sat up and slid out of the bed. "You anticipate that may not be the case?" she asked casually as she moved to where her attire had been haphazardly dropped.

The queen also rose from the bed and looked for her own clothing. "Thrall is in over his head, though he would never admit it. He is a decent diplomat, but he does not know how to conduct war." As she found various pieces, she pulled them on. "I may come back to Dalaran instead to make sure this war is not over before it has really got started."

Alyna moved over to help Sylvanas with some straps on her armour. "You're that concerned he will make the wrong decision?"

"Not necessarily," started the queen. "But he is overly cautious, and seemingly needs to commune with his 'spirits' for every major decision."

"Ah. You think he'll hesitate at a key moment and give Arthas the upper hand."

Sylvanas gave Alyna a small smile. Perhaps this equality thing was not such a bad idea. "Indeed." It was nice to have such a conversation with someone who could follow her train of thought naturally. She added, "If I do base myself here, I may occasionally summon you. While I trust Areiel's reports to be accurate, I want your unique insight to add to them."

Alyna looked up from where she was focused on a strap going across her chest. "Just my insight?"

The queen felt she was being tested. Part of her was frustrated that Alyna didn't trust her yet, but the other part told her off for expecting such a thing so soon. "Anything else is purely … voluntary."

That seemingly amused Alyna, though she didn't reply. Instead, she started to secure her weapons across her body. Sylvanas just watched. As much as she wanted to keep a close eye on the progress being made on the plague to weaponize it against the Scourge, she realised that if she was to avoid her earlier concerns, basing herself in Dalaran was probably the wisest move.

When she was ready to go, Alyna turned and gave Sylvanas a slight bow of her head in farewell. Sylvanas returned the gesture, and the woman left her quarters, the exchange of goodbye pleasantries not required between the two. After a few moments, Sylvanas collected her own weapons and left the room, it suddenly becoming too empty without Alyna. She had more important things to do than dwell on it, and it was time she went home.

"Alyna!"

The ranger stopped and looked back over her shoulder. To her surprise, she could see Lirea half-jogging towards her. She was wearing simple robes, with her dark red hair worn loose to cascade down over her shoulders. The detail that really caught her attention was the colour of the off-white robes. Traditionally, only priestesses wore such a colour.

Her sister stopped a few paces away. "Can we … talk?"

"I have to get back to my unit," she replied flatly, and she turned to carry on walking towards the landing platform.

"Please? Alyna?" She could hear the rustling of her sister's robes as she got closer. "Alyna!"

Something about her sister's desperation made her stop, but she didn't turn around. "What do you expect to come out of us talking, Lirea?" she asked, keeping her voice cold. "I'm not the sister you remember."

"Maybe not," came the hesitant reply. "But you're still my sister. And I love you."

Feeling uncomfortable, Alyna started to walk again as she quietly said, "I cannot love anymore."

A hand touched her upper arm and she turned to glare at her sister. Lirea gasped slightly at her sudden movement, but didn't move away. Her pale-green eyes looked scared, but determined as she regarded her beloved sister. "I know what you're doing. You're trying to scare me away, but I won't let you do it, okay? You're going to have to deal with me one day, Alyna."

She narrowed her eyes at Lirea, having been called out. She had thought scaring her off might force her to accept the reality of things. It would seem her sister was still stubborn. She gestured to a small grassy area just off the street, and Lirea walked towards it. Reluctantly, Alyna followed.

"You are a priestess now?" she asked pointedly before Lirea had even fully turned to face her.

Lirea looked down at her robes and then smiled at Alyna softly. "Yes. I took my final vows a few weeks ago." She bit her lip. "Losing you and grandfather was … very difficult for me. I was so proud of the stories that were told of your stand with the Council, but it hurt. Especially with how … well. I suppose you can imagine how our family reacted to your deaths." She sounded bitter, and then sighed. "Your faith in the Light was strong, and I sought comfort in it. It helped me find a purpose."

Alyna gave her a short nod. Her sister had always been a kind, open woman. The priesthood made more sense than a life amongst battling magisters. It was also the only other option for a magic user. If they developed an affinity for wielding the Light, a mage would be allowed to follow that path.

Lirea gave Alyna a long look. "I understand why you didn't tell us you were … back. I have little to do with our family as it is, so after everything you've been through …" she trailed off.

Alyna knew Lirea was trying to imagine the horrors of her existence. She also knew her imagination was not going to come close to the reality, which was probably a good thing. "Why were you with them earlier if you have no wish to?"

Green eyes blinked slowly. "Oh … you … probably don't know I suppose." She brushed her fingers back through her hair and took a deep breath. "After that creature left Silvermoon, Prince Kael'thas returned with those of us who had been here in Dalaran. The Prince then raised a force of volunteers to go to Northrend to confront Arthas."

"I know," said Alyna slowly. "I was here when they attacked."

Lirea's eyes widened in surprise. It then turned to a look of horror when she realised that Alyna had been fighting against their people and not with them. "I'm sorry," she murmured. She took a moment to compose herself, and then continued. "What you may not know is that Galanir and Lylias were there. They volunteered to join his force, and were somehow fortunate enough to be amongst the very few who returned."

Alyna tilted her head. She had not seen her older siblings there. If she had, she was sure the Lich King would have had her kill them. "Father did not go too? I recall he was an ardent supporter of the Prince."

Lirea's face took on a look of disgust. "He was a strong supporter, but he had his eye on the position left open by grandfather's death."

The darkfallen blinked slowly. "He stayed behind to try and become Grand Magister instead of avenge his family's deaths?" That sounded exactly like something her father would do.

"Yes." Lirea then laughed hollowly. "He didn't expect the Prince not to return. When he didn't, the Regent Lord decided to make Rommath the Grand Magister instead. Father was furious. He's created problems within the magisterium ever since." The young woman shifted her weight from foot to foot, and Alyna knew the reason for the story was about to be revealed. "Galanir and Lylias went with the Prince with Father's blessing. But Calduros … he was so angry when you died. He wanted revenge, and Father refused to let him go." She shook her head. "He went anyway, hidden amongst the soldiers. Lylias said he wasn't discovered until it was too late to send him home."

Alyna felt a sadness inside for her baby brother. "He did not return home with our siblings?"

Lirea shook her head. "No. They said they all got separated during the battle."

The darkfallen closed her eyes, memories resurfacing. "The Scourge split their force. Some escaped, but most were left behind. Those that were not killed quickly were hunted through the snow. All that were caught were raised to serve the Scourge."

Silence hung in the air between them for a while before Lirea hesitantly asked, "Was he … caught?"

Alyna looked at her. "Calduros is not one of the darkfallen. He either escaped with the Prince to a different fate, or he was one of the few who froze to death and remain unfound by the Scourge."

She had thought her blunt words would elicit a startled response from her sister, but instead she just got a slow nod of agreement. "Before we knew of the darkfallen, that is what we had assumed. I am here today because the glacier that falls into Crystalsong has revealed some elven corpses. We came to see if one of them was our brother."

"I take it he was not amongst them."

Lirea shook her head. "No. I had … almost hoped … he had been with you."

Alyna felt rage flash through her at the ignorant words. She couldn't help but sound cold as she replied, "Be glad he wasn't."

Green eyes widened, but then gave her an apologetic nod. Lirea fidgeted with a lock of hair. "You and Sylvanas … seem to … be getting along … well …?"

The change of subject caught Alyna a little by surprise. She responded cynically. "You want to know if I still love her?" She let out a bitter laugh. "Anything positive like love was tortured or stripped out of me."

Lirea seemed prepared for the answer somehow. "You feel something though. What I saw between you before I realised it was you … you're close."

Alyna grudgingly conceded, "I feel … a warmth. Being in her presence is …" She struggled for the right word. "Familiar."

"You sound like you take some comfort in that." Lirea looked nervous as she spoke her words.

Alyna thought she knew what was happening. Her sister was trying to convince herself that Alyna's existence was more than the hell her imagination was telling her it was. She was about to bluntly refute the notion that anything about her circumstances was acceptable, but she stopped. A small voice told her it would cause unnecessary pain, which was something she almost laughed at. When did she care about causing pain? But, what would it cost her to be kind to the one living being who hadn't judged her immediately on her state of undeath?

She was also right. Alyna was drawing comfort from Sylvanas.

"I suppose you could call it that." The small voice inside her cheered distantly.

Her sister's features relaxed slightly. "You two were always happiest together. I am glad you have each other still, despite the changes in you both."

She gave her sister an awkward smile, and then found herself being drawn into a hug. This time, Lirea didn't pull away though she still tensed slightly at her lack of warmth. Alyna admired her sister's strength. This was not easy for her, she knew, but she had always had the biggest heart in the family. Tentatively, because she knew her sister needed it, she loosely completed the hug.

When she pulled away, Lirea had tears in her eyes. Alyna reached up to wipe them away. "I'm sorry this hurts you. I tried to avoid it."

Lirea laughed softly. "It hurts to see you like this, I won't deny that. But I'm crying because I'm happy, Alyna. I have my big sis back."

Alyna frowned slightly. "You … want to see me again?"

The priestess gave her a hopeful look. "Would that be okay? I know this war won't make it a frequent thing but … I … please?"

She didn't know what to say to her sister. She also didn't fully understand why Lirea would want to have anything to do with her. Did she really understand the kind of creature Alyna was? The things she had done, and would do? Or was she just underestimating her sister so she didn't have to deal with the complication of having a living relative?

Not sure how Sylvanas was going to react to the decision, Alyna gave Lirea a brief nod. "I am agreeable to seeing you again, though I cannot say when. I am heading back to the Howling Fjord."

She was pulled back into another hug that was so fierce she was glad she had no need for air. She allowed it, and attempted to return it again. In time, they said their goodbyes and Alyna left to return to her duty, uncertain if she had just done the right thing.

Sylvanas could hear the male voices arguing as she walked down the corridor to her throne room, and it made her increasingly angry with each step. As she reached the heavy closed doors, she threw them open with enough force she knew one of them would need to be repaired. The sound of them slamming back against the stone caused the two before her to stop and gaze at her in shock.

Nathanos Blightcaller gave his queen a deep bow. "Welcome home, my Lady."

"Dark Lady!" The dreadlord Varimathras was slower to recover. He turned his large demonic bulk towards her and bowed, giant wings twitching. "We were not expecting you."

She glared at her majordomo, the demon now towering above her. "That much was very clear." She took in both of them as she stepped up to her throne. "What the hell are you two doing? I could hear you from the canal!"

The two males did not look at each other, which just confirmed to Sylvanas they still did not get along. Her two senior aids had vied for her favour continuously over the years, though this was the first time she had heard them get into such a loud confrontation.

As Varimathras was technically the senior of the two, he stepped forward. "Your Champion," he started, using the word with obvious distaste, "has been redirecting resources you have allocated towards the war effort, Dark Lady. He objected to my intervention."

She looked towards Nathanos to give him permission to speak.

"To make those resources better so they can be of more use to you, my Lady," he clarified.

If she were alive, she knew she'd be getting a headache about now. "What resources are we talking about, Nathanos?"

To her surprise, he actually looked somewhat excited as he started to explain his idea. "I have managed to identify some promising recruits amongst the Forsaken forces in the second and third waves of your attack. Recruits who I know I can turn into rangers if given time."

She wasn't quite sure she heard her champion correctly. "You want to teach undead humans how to use dark ranger arts?"

"Yes, my Lady," he confirmed with confidence.

Sylvanas felt her eyes flash with her anger. Her dark rangers were hers, and no one was about to add humans to her sisterhood.

"No."

Nathanos looked surprised. "N …? But, my Lady? They could be an invaluable resource."

"They already are doing what they're doing, Nathanos. I have enough dark rangers to do my bidding, and I am not prepared to accept less than the best for their ranks."

"These are the best though. I have selected them myself!"

She sneered at him. "For how long, Nathanos? At the rate of decay the human Forsaken suffer, they would be viable for a year or two before they would have to be replaced. Even you have commented on your slowing dexterity and strength, and your decline is not as swift as theirs." She gestured at the former Ranger Lord. "You know how long it takes to train even a highly gifted human to the level required to be a ranger. You would not have enough time." She shook her head to end the subject. "I require the archers you train, and nothing more at this time."

With obvious difficulty, Nathanos bowed his head, "I understand, Dark Lady. With your permission, I will get back to their training."

She waved him away as a dismissal and turned to Varimathras. He had been quiet, but smug. "When I leave you in charge of my city, I expect you to do so without making your business public."

It wiped the smug grin from his grizzled face at least. "It will not happen again, Dark Lady."

"How are the preparations going for the second wave?"

"They are ahead of schedule. Your choice for the new Grand Executor was inspired. She has performed beyond my expectations."

It was difficult to tell when the dreadlord was genuinely impressed with anything as it happened so rarely, but he did seem to believe his words.

"Good. I will be remaining until they are ready to launch." She turned to move into her office before stopping to give her majordomo a few orders. "Have my Grand Executor summoned to my office, and summon my chief ambassador. The four of us need to re-evaluate a few things." She gestured towards the doors. "And get those fixed."

"Of course, Dark Lady."

He bowed as she left, but she could feel his gaze on her back. She was back early, and his power was now second to hers.

As it should be, she thought. She had given the dreadlord a lot of freedom of late considering her multiple absences. It was time she caught up on what he had been up to in that time. He had not given her cause to distrust him, but he was a dreadlord, and she had bent him to her will. If she was in his position, the moment she sensed weakness she would strike.

It was time to remind him who was queen of the Forsaken.