Chapter 36
Two months later…
Sylvanas knelt quietly next to Alyna in the snow waiting for their banshee contact to arrive. Lady Nightswood had proven to be an effective ally in the past couple of months. Using heroes eager to help her, she had successfully killed a significant number of vrykul in Jotunheim using techniques that ensured she would not be detected. The queen understood one such endeavour had involved wild water elementals rampaging through one of the villages. She had particularly enjoyed that report from her captain, especially as it had followed on the heels of a graver one.
Tirion Fordring barely survived his ordeal to secure the Lich King's heart. He had successfully infiltrated the Cathedral of Darkness, only to have Arthas himself appear and uncover his disguise. Finally realising that there was no hope of redemption for the fallen prince, Fordring had attacked the heart, destroying it. The blast had severely injured both the highlord and the Lich King. The crusaders had only escaped due to the quick thinking of the Ebon Blade. Having kept watch on the cathedral, they had been ready to transport the stricken soldiers of the Light through a death gate.
But Arthas still lived. Sylvanas was angry at that detail. It had been Mograine who issued the order to escape rather than try to finish him off, and the banshee queen had disagreed entirely with the decision. It may have cost them their lives, but it was a price worth paying.
She realised Alyna was looking at her and she raised a questioning eyebrow back at the woman.
"You're seething."
"I'm not." A white eyebrow rose in return. Sylvanas glared back for a moment. Sometimes, it was frustrating having someone so close she was incapable of hiding her own thoughts. "You have been very quiet on the matter."
Alyna shrugged mildly. "I was not there. Sometimes these things only make sense in the moment. Darion wants him dead, and if he decided it was too big a risk, then I accept that." She rested her hand on the queen's upper arm. "It's done, Sylvanas."
The queen knew her captain trusted Mograine. She found it hard to trust anyone, but she trusted Alyna implicitly. For the most part, she accepted the highlord's decision, and Alyna's faith in it. Her less reasonable side kept telling her they had missed an opportunity though, and it would not leave her alone. When they had first arrived in Northrend, Alyna had helped her see that her desire for revenge was a weapon Arthas could, and would, use against her. The incident with the heart had happened weeks ago, and she was still distracted by it. It made her wonder if she could ever be rational when it came to Arthas, and that concerned her.
Her captain squeezed her upper arm slightly, letting the queen know she was not alone in her own personal battles even as she supported Alyna in hers, including in her most recent decision.
After several weeks of talking to Thal'ena, there had been no conclusion as to whether she had truly betrayed the Lich King or had acted as his pawn. What had become clear in her talks with Alyna though had been her desire for power, and her yearning to increase it. If she had thought to find a sympathetic ally in Alyna, she had been wrong. Instead, the dark ranger had condemned her fellow san'layn to a fate worse than death – containment in the magical prison of Dalaran. The Violet Hold contained some of the most dangerous creatures to ever threaten Azeroth and the city, and it would now forever hold a san'layn princess. The rational had been that one day the Kirin Tor may find a cure for their hunger, or a substitute, but the reality was the once young elf would likely go mad, and quickly.
Sylvanas suppressed a shudder at the thought. While distasteful, the situation had helped Alyna to see her own strength, and her lover was now more confident in herself. That alone had made it all worth it in the queen's eyes.
Alyna dropped her hand as they both heard the shuffling of boots through soft snow. A female vrykul with dark red hair came into view, her brown leathers and furs wrapped close around the strong body. Her fierce yellow eyes settled on the two undead elves, and they rose to their feet to face her. The vrykul stopped a short distance away so the much smaller elves had an easier time looking up at her.
"Lady Nightswood," Alyna greeted, with some confusion in her voice. "You're back to possessing the bone witch?"
Sylvanas frowned slightly. "It was my understanding you had taken possession of a val'kyr?" The queen had been looking forward to seeing such a creature up close.
The possessed vrykul bowed her head slightly in the banshee queen's direction before she fixed her gaze on Alyna. "The objective has been met, but things did not quite go to plan." She gestured in the direction of a large fortress. "The lord of Jotunheim, Overthane Balargarde, is dead. I used the form of the val'kyr known as Vardmadra to compel the overthane into accepting a battle with the heroes who have been aiding me. He had to accept or face judgement. However, the Lich King appeared during the fight and he saw through my disguise." The vrykul's features scrunched into a scowl. "He destroyed Vardmadra's form, forcing me to flee it."
"That is unfortunate," mused the dark ranger captain. "Your return to the bone witch was not witnessed?"
"No. I will continue to ensure Jotunheim is ill-prepared to counter your attack."
Sylvanas looked between the two women. "The Lich King's appearance does not concern you?"
Alyna turned to answer the queen. "There was always a chance he would." Sylvanas frowned at the information but allowed her captain to continue uninterrupted. "Vardmadra is one of the most powerful val'kyr in his service, and when Nightswood possessed her it was only a matter of time before Arthas noticed her absence."
"Which is why I had to act quickly, Dark Lady," offered the possessed vrykul. "He came to look for her faster than anticipated, but it was still too late." She cackled, the sound a low rumble in the vrykul's chest.
Still concerned, Sylvanas sceptically asked, "He just let your volunteers kill his overthane?"
The banshee shrugged. "Why not? Everything in Jotunheim is about finding the strongest warriors for his army. If Balargarde was the strongest, he would have won."
Alyna agreed. "He probably thinks we did him a favour."
"Indeed." The vrykul's yellow eyes fixed on Alyna. "You can do him another one, if you so choose to."
Sylvanas immediately got a sense that she was not about to like what she was about to hear.
Alyna gave the bone witch a curious look and her unspoken question was answered. "While in possession of Vardmadra, her recent knowledge was revealed to me, including two pieces of information that should interest you. Geirrvif is currently overseeing Valhalas, and the name of your replacement is Sandoval."
The captain's eyes widened slightly before narrowing in thought. "I see." Before the queen's impatience grew to be visible, Alyna turned to her. "Sandoval is just another san'layn, a blood prince. Unlike princesses, there are many princes. It is mostly just a title to satisfy the egos of former magisters as only Keleseth, Valanar and Taldaram are on the council with true power over the darkfallen." Sylvanas found Alyna's dismissive nature interesting. She almost never displayed pride in her former rank, so it stood out. "Valhalas is in the north of Jotunheim and is where the final battles are held for vrykul wishing to ascend to become Ymirjar, undead elite warriors. Geirrvif is the val'kyr currently passing judgement on the combatants it seems. She is … different. I can only describe her as 'friendly', which is not a val'kyr trait."
Sylvanas knew she would regret asking the question, but she found herself doing so anyway. "Why is all this of interest to you?"
"When we attack Jotunheim, Sandoval will be obliged to lead the defence." The captain shrugged mildly. "He is not on the council, but he is capable of doing a lot of damage if protected by the remaining vrykul. Unless I go to Valhalas, challenge him to single combat and kill him first."
The queen pinched the bridge of her nose. "They would let you do that?"
Nightswood provided the answer. "Yes. Valhalas is a place of great honour for the vrykul, and the rules state that any person can take part in its traditions, so long as they accept that failure results in being cursed."
"Cursed?" Sylvanas reflected back through the conversations she and Alyna had had with regards to her work here. "Into a lesser form of undead to be used as labour?" Horror filled her gut at the thought of losing Alyna to any such fate.
"Yes." The vrykul smiled cruelly. "I must be getting back to my hovel before I am missed, but I do look forward to seeing your army burn this place to the ground."
They both watched the retreating form of the possessed vrykul until she was no longer visible.
"No," the queen flatly stated, shaking her head at her lover.
Alyna looked at her queen patiently. "Most of the force we'll use to attack will be Forsaken. If I do this, then many more will survive to fight Arthas when the time comes." She shook her head slowly. "Isn't that what matters?"
Sylvanas felt her chest tighten. "You matter. I will not lose you, Alyna."
She got a lop-sided grin in return that half-infuriated the queen at its cockiness. "I can beat Sandoval."
"And what will it cost you?" she snapped. Sylvanas knew she sounded more than a little desperate, but when it came to Alyna she had stopped caring about such things. "You've worked hard to break from your addiction. Will you need to empower yourself again for this?"
To her credit, the dark ranger paused and thought about her queen's words. "I don't think so. I can do this as I am now." She closed her eyes for a few moments. When she opened them, they held a determination that even Sylvanas suspected she could not break. "I need to do this."
The queen tried one last time to talk her lover out of the duel. "Is this really now the time to start testing your limits? I'm sure there are plenty of other fights we can pick to ease you in slowly."
Alyna stepped forward and thread her fingers under the leather strap that crossed the queen's chest to hold her quiver in place. The following kiss was as soft as it was sudden, and then over just as quickly. "If I let you dictate the pace, Sylvanas, this war will be over before I've even fired the first arrow." She kept hold of the strap, not that the queen minded. "Come with me, if you like. You will be safe in Valhalas so long as you do not enter the ring. But we both know that this makes sense."
Sylvanas blew cold air slowly out of her nose in a deep sigh. "Fuck."
Three days later…
The three undead elves passed through the gates to Valhalas unchallenged by the guards. They had seen the Forsaken banner carried by Kyala and assumed they were there to take part in the regular fights. It was also likely they imagined that three small elves would pose no challenge should they decide to misbehave. Their sharp ears twitched with overheard comments ranging from the curious to harsh ridicule, but none of them were phased as Alyna led the trio directly to the main pit. There had been much debate as to who should lead the group, the captain or the queen, but as it was Alyna who would be issuing the challenge they decided she should be the main representative.
She felt many eyes on her now as they approached the pit. Instead of going straight in, Alyna led them around to the side seeking the arena master. When she caught sight of him, she could see he was already moving towards them, his body language telling her he was not pleased to see outsiders. That did not surprise her. She knew Gjonner the Merciless, the vrykul death knight who selected who fought who in the pit, and he only respected strength. As he drew near, she purposefully reached up and pulled down her hood so he could clearly see who she was.
His step faltered and he tilted his head in confusion before looking around to make sure no one was playing a bizarre trick on him. The huge runic axe that had been raised threateningly lowered slightly as he glared down at her.
"What is this? Why have you come back here?" he demanded, the dual-tone nature of his undead voice harsh in the still air.
She looked up at him, mentally forcing herself not to take a step back in order to do so. "I have come to issue a challenge to any who will accept it."
"You wish to fight?" His shock was mirrored by the nearby vrykul who had edged closer to see what was going on. Most would have no idea who Alyna was due to the high turnover rate of combatants, but she had heard some of the veterans not so quietly trying to educate others in the background. They would soon all know the former blood princess ruler of Jotunheim has returned.
"Have you gone deaf in my absence, Gjonner?" she intentionally goaded him. Appearances had to be maintained and any weakness would be looked down upon.
The death knight grunted. "I have no fair fight for you. Without a worthy opponent, there is no honour to be gained. You have wasted your time coming here … Princess." He said her former title with uncertainty, clearly unsure how to address her now.
His words did not concern her, and she did not reply immediately. Within seconds a large white form materialised behind the vrykul, and he turned at the sound of wings beating down on the air. The val'kyr gazed impassively down at Alyna, her facemask ensuring her eyes and expression were kept hidden. When she spoke, her voice was not just heard, but felt.
"He said you would return one day, Princess Alyna, and here you are."
Alyna felt Sylvanas tense beside her as she replied, "I am here representing the Forsaken, on behalf of my Queen." She gestured at her lover before she glared fiercely at the val'kyr. "I am not Scourge, Geirrvif."
"So I see." She lowered herself to hover closer to the ground but did not land. Alyna could not actually recall seeing a val'kyr use her legs. "I bid you welcome, Banshee Queen. I presume you have had the rules of the pit explained to you?"
"I have," Sylvanas confirmed. "I accept them and confirm Alyna to be my champion here today."
The words were rehearsed, but the genuine pride she heard in her queen's voice filled her with warmth.
Geirrvif received the statement with a nod before returning her attention to Alyna. "Gjonner is correct when he says there are none here who can honourably match a san'layn in battle, Princess. But you knew that. You are here to challenge Prince Sandoval."
Alyna smiled slightly at the vrykul's evident surprise. "I am," she verified.
The death knight's shock turned to anger. "You dare to challenge one of the Lich King's chosen?"
Before she could respond, Geirrvif interceded, scolding him. "She may not be Scourge for now, Gjonner, but the princess is also chosen of the Lich King. It is a fair match. The challenge is accepted, with one condition, Princess." Alyna knew what was coming before she said it. "Prince Sandoval's soul belongs to the Lich King and is not to be destroyed. He will also be restricted in the same manner."
"Understood, Geirrvif." She highly doubted he was capable of taking even a ghoul's soul, but she kept that knowledge to herself.
"Prepare yourself and then enter the pit. I will inform the prince of your challenge."
The val'kyr faded out of sight. The death knight growled at the three elves, his eyes focused on Alyna. "You know the way," he spat before walking away to deal with some more challengers.
"Well. You've got your fight," Sylvanas observed unhappily.
Alyna started to slowly lead them around the pit to the entrance. "It would appear so."
Kyala was just as displeased as her queen. "That val'kyr seems sure you'll be re-joining them one day, Captain."
"Bravado," she automatically replied. "Her words help to bolster the vrykul who were listening. It helps maintain the impression that Arthas knows everything and cannot be denied."
The lieutenant was not done with her concern. "Was she not curious as to why you're here?"
"Probably," the captain revealed. "Knowing why doesn't matter though. A challenge to any leader in Jotunheim must be accepted, even if it appears foolish."
Alyna felt a strong hand slide under her arm to turn her around, and she allowed it. Red eyes quickly scanned her face before settling on her own black ones. She read the concern in them, but she also saw the pride she had heard in her queen's voice earlier. Sylvanas hated what was about to happen but she had accepted the necessity. While they were here, a significant contingent of Forsaken, and a few death knights, were moving into place to await the signal to attack Jotunheim. Lady Nightswood had continued her efforts, and the vrykul leadership was in disarray. Removing their prince would be the final act in rendering them effectively leaderless, greatly aiding their impending assault.
Her queen's grip relaxed on her arm as she said quietly, "Do not get cocky in there, Alyna. Keep it simple."
The san'layn nodded once in reply. They had discussed the potential for this to slip out of Alyna's control, and she appreciated where her lover's words were coming from. They had spent hours developing scenarios and tactics for the fight so Alyna could surprise the prince and hopefully not be taken unawares herself. Strategy and tactical planning was an area that Sylvanas truly shined in, and she was glad for the queen's advice. In the end though, she was on her own in the pit and it was up to her to implement their plan.
"Whatever happens, do not enter the pit," she found herself warning.
The red eyes narrowed. "I'm sure Kyala will try her best to prevent it." They both heard an unamused sound emanate from the lieutenant.
Alyna frowned deeply. "I mean it, Sylvanas."
The queen wordlessly brushed her fingertips along Alyna's cheek, keeping her thoughts to herself before turning to seek a good vantage point to watch the fight. The captain was not quite sure if that meant she would behave, but she no longer had the luxury of time to worry about it.
She entered the gate to the sunken pit. High walls of study dark wooden posts surrounded her. Braziers burned brightly on the platforms the posts held up to try and pierce through the cold that affected those who were still living. Large dragon heads peered down at her, carved from more of the same wood that enclosed her. The captain was aware of the countless vrykul gathering to watch the next fight, all of them towering over the two small elves she knew would be her only support. Snow had been swept from the centre to the edges of the pit, though as she walked around she could feel the low heel of her boots dig slightly into the dirt, telling her the ground was not completely frozen. She began to discretely prepare her defensive spells as she waited.
Geirrvif faded into view on a platform at the southern end of the pit to loud cheers from the locals.
Her voice carried easily to all ears in Valhalas. "From the depths of Icecrown Citadel, one of the Lich King's chosen comes to answer the challenge of the one he replaced! Princess Alyna has returned to test the might of the lord she has spurned!" Roars of disgust and shouts of 'traitor!' rained down on the captain, but she did not give them the satisfaction of reacting to them. "Warriors of Jotunheim, I present to you, Blood Prince Sandoval!"
Without warning, Prince Sandoval magically appeared in the pit directly below the val'kyr. His black eyes immediately found Alyna as the vrykul cheered at his appearance. His dark red robes were pierced with both lime green and orange gems, and he carried an ornate broadsword in his hand. Though his mouth was covered with the traditional san'layn mask, she could hear the sneer in his tone.
"I would welcome you home, sister, but you do not deserve such courtesy." The mask shifted slightly, and she knew he was smiling. "When Geirrvif informed me of your challenge, I did not believe you would be so foolish as to return. But here you are. The Lich King will reward me handsomely when I bring him your body."
Alyna shrugged with feigned disinterest, though she really was bored of hearing how much her body was worth. "He is more likely to punish you for your failure when I send him yours … brother."
He snarled at her. "I will make this as easy as possible for you, Alyna. Simply come here and die. That is all that I ask for your many trespasses. For your sullying this exalted place of battle." He stepped forward and stabbed a claw in her direction as he shouted his next words with genuine fury, "FOR YOUR EFFRONTERY TO THE LICH KING!"
If his words were designed to rouse the crowd, he succeeded. Alyna could barely hear herself think. She rolled her eyes as she unslung her bow, waiting for a gap in the noise. "Do you have more than words to sling at me, Sandoval? Your posturing is tiresome."
The prince gestured with his free hand and the frozen aura that surrounded her snapped into view as it was attacked. Fire rained down from a point above her head, hissing violently as it hit her shield. The dark ranger dove away from the area before it was penetrated, rolling up to her knee. She threw a bolt of ice back at the prince, testing his defences and giving herself enough time to stand. His own barrier of fire flared into being, disintegrating her deliberately weak attack.
He raised his sword, the length of the blade coming to life with enchanted fire, and then blinked towards her. She managed to deflect the incoming blow with her bow as she spun around and away from him. She felt her feet grow slightly heavier and she realised his rain of fire had thawed the nearby snow, making the ground muddy. She threw another weak bolt of ice at the prince and dodged the replying fireball.
For long minutes she kept Sandoval at bay, allowing him to get close to her before she used her superior agility to simply evade and retreat. What magic she used was intentionally unconvincing as he threw his weight behind his attacks. Her shield was currently weakening, but it was a false frailty to bait the prince into maintaining his pursuit. Most observers would believe he was wearing her down, though Alyna did note Geirrvif was watching her intently.
Slowly, she could see that her ice bolts were starting to penetrate further into his shield before disappearing and she knew her time to strike was close. She still had all her arrows, and most of her energy.
"Is this really the best the great blood princess can do?" he taunted, his ego blinding him to the truth. The roaring crowd was firmly on his side, believing in the superiority of the Lich King's supposed chosen.
Alyna smiled, baring her fangs. "Shall we find out?
The dark ranger vaulted away from the prince. As she landed, she nocked an arrow and aimed it at him. The arrowhead rippled with shadow magic just before she released it, and it buried itself harmlessly into the ground at his feet.
Sandoval laughed, as did the crowd.
"I thought Farstriders had higher standards than that! Or did that banshee bitch give you a free pass for warming her bed?"
Alyna could see Sylvanas stiffen from where she stood, but that was the only reaction he got from the queen. Again, the captain smiled at the prince. As fire began to fall around her, she blinked towards him and cast her first spell with actual power behind it, a strong frost nova that froze the ground at Sandoval's feet. Loud cracking filled the air as the mud for several meters around instantly solidified, rooting the prince to the spot he stood on.
She walked towards him slowly, careful not to slip on her own ice though practised as she was. Her bow still in one hand, she formed a solid ice lance in the other and threw it at the prince's hand, sending his sword clattering across the ice.
The prince sneered at her and then tried to blink away, that being his only option to escape from her ice. As he cast his spell, the arrow Alyna had shot earlier snapped into life as a tendril of shadow tore from the arrowhead to wrap itself around the escaping prince. As he reached the end of his blink, he was immediately yanked back to where he started by her binding shot.
Onto her fresh ice lance.
The crowd gasped as one when they saw the powerful frozen lance pierce through the prince's shield and into his chest, impaling him fully.
"What?!" he yelped, more in shock than actual pain.
Alyna pushed him away slightly to give herself room and he stumbled backwards but managed to stay on his feet. She winked at the stunned prince. "That was not my best either, but it will have to do."
She gave him just enough time to realise that was the last he would hear from her before she swung the bladed bow her lover had made for her with as much undead strength as she could muster, beheading him swiftly. All heard his head land messily in the mud, such was the silence that prevailed over Valhalas.
It was soon broken by Geirrvif announcing her victory.
"The unthinkable has happened ... Alyna has slain Prince Sandoval! In defeating him, she has proven herself worthy of battle in this most sacred place of vrykul honour." She gazed down at the captain. "All hail, Princess Alyna, Champion of Valhalas!"
A chorus of cheers rang out hailing her victory, though she had no idea if they held genuine appreciation for her victory or were just done in blind obedience to the val'kyr. She found she didn't care as she slung her bow across her back and exited the pit before Sylvanas forgot about her promise.
Geirrvif appeared before her just outside the entrance, hovering just barely off the ground.
"A curious fight, princess. I look forward to seeing you fight again."
Alyna tilted her head up at the val'kyr who had clearly not been fooled by her tactics. "I will not be fighting in the pit again, Geirrvif."
"Perhaps not in the pit, but I have seen the force your queen brings to bear on Jotunheim. You will fight with them, will you not?"
The dark ranger blinked in surprise. "You know of our plan, yet you do nothing to stop it?" Realisation hit Alyna in that moment with no small amount of horror for not having comprehended it before now. She answered her own question. "No, of course you won't. Your role is to judge the worthy from the unworthy, and these games are nothing compared to the test of true battle."
The winged warrior nodded. "You are correct. I expect most here will die, but a few will distinguish themselves enough to make them worthy of becoming Ymirjar."
Alyna closed her eyes briefly as she absorbed the implication of what was about to happen. The Forsaken and Ebon Blade would most likely conquer Jotunheim, but the val'kyr were watching. Any worthy vrykul would be recovered after death for ascension, or even saved. All they were doing was greatly accelerating the process that was already under way – the culling of the weak to reveal the strong.
The dark ranger looked around, trying to peer through the crowds leaving the pit. She had to find Sylvanas. She had to stop the attack.
"It is too late." The val'kyr's perceptive words came as an almost physical blow. "Your queen sent up her signal the moment you were victorious."
Familiar vrykul war horns began to sound throughout Jotunheim, and with it Alyna's heart sank. The vrykul were being called to arms at the approach of their enemy. As the large humanoids began to rush to wherever they needed to be, Alyna finally caught sight of Sylvanas with Kyala at her side, both making their way to her position in a hurry.
Alyna looked back at Geirrvif, allowing her anger to show. "Was it you who played me, or him?"
She heard the smile in the val'kyr's voice. "You should go, princess, before they realise the army they face is yours."
Recognising that she was not going to get an answer, she grit her teeth and turned to run towards her queen. Suddenly, she was not looking forward to the coming battle as much as she had been. She was absolutely not relishing the thought of having to tell Sylvanas what she had just learnt, but she knew the queen had to be told.
Just not right now, she decided. It would have to wait until they escaped Valhalas.
Once they were safe, she resolved herself to doing the bravest thing she will have done for some time: face her queen's wrath.