Yu'len found an hour to speak with Jaina. She was grateful that the healer had been so willing to come to Dalaran and on such short notice. The meeting had left her feeling drained but oddly good- more solid and less adrift. They'd discussed the battle and Jaina's thoughts and reactions.
And they'd discussed the impending announcement.
With the late hour, Yu'Len decided to stay for the night in Dalaran. Tomorrow she'd intended to be part of the Shado-Pan delegation invited to the city by Modera to see the reintegration process beginning.
Jaina had retired to bed after their conversation. Despite feeling generally better, and Kalec's cuddling and support, her dreams were disjointed and terrifying.
Sometimes the Dark Star killed everyone, even her, and as a ghost she saw the Horde and Alliance fall to one another's throats, burning two worlds. In other dreams she was tossed from the city and she tried to grow wings and fly away, but her magic was out of her reach and she couldn't even manage a slowfall cantrip. In another she managed her transformation spell but it turned her into a sprawling monstrosity that had to be slain for the good of everyone around her. In others, she turned into a dragon and though she felt her personality was no different, one by one, everyone left her, even Kalec, and she couldn't understand why.
This latest nightmare left her awake and restless far earlier than her usual time to rise. Kalec was fast asleep, one arm draped over her, the other lost in the pillows under her head. Jaina turned and buried herself against his broad chest, trying to banish the lingering terror. It was an irrational dream. Mostly.
Something she'd been learning to do with Yu'len was to question why she felt a certain way, to stare into the truth unflinchingly. The healer would question her about these thoughts and fears which held sway over her. Sometimes the fears would dissolve like morning fog in sunlight. Sometimes it took a bit longer. So. Why these nightmares?
She was afraid that doing the right thing would hurt her again, Jaina decided. The Horde had to be welcomed back. They were announcing later in the day because it couldn't be kept a secret any longer. Rumors were already spreading and the Council needed to address the situation head on. And it would allow them to move ahead with their agreements with the Shado-Pan. These were good things, things in line with the impossibly bright future she'd spoken so longingly about with Anduin.
The Council was on her side. The city leaders had grumbled but Karlain and Ansirem were on point and handling the situation well. It was a fear, but it was irrational. Soon the proverbial cat would be out of the bag and they could move forward. Karlain had remarked on hating being in a holding pattern and Jaina heartily agreed.
As for the other nightmares... She didn't want to become something other than 'Jaina'. Because she'd become something else with her hate. Or at least she'd started to become someone else entirely. That truth was not as easily reasoned into something less distracting.
Jaina listened to Kalec's heartbeat, trying to clear her mind as Antonidas had taught her to do while meditating. The steady rhythm was comforting but did little to ease the swirling maelstrom of thoughts in her head. At least her hands had stopped hurting.
"I can hear you thinking," Kalec said, his deep voice languid with sleep.
"Sorry."
"S'fine," he said, tightening his arms in a hug.
"Kalec?"
"Hmm?"
"If I try this spell, or a similar one, and I start to become not me, you need to let me know. Stop me."
"Of course. I don't think even with using Atiesh's spell as a template it would end up hurting you, but I will of course be watchful, love."
"Thank you."
He murmured sleepy acknowledgement as he stretched and shifted, collapsing back into bed, arms and legs draping around her. He nuzzled her jaw and found a ticklish spot. Jaina giggled a little, squirming. Beginning to laugh, Kalec continued to assault her with gentle kisses and nips, waking them both up more. The laughter turned growling as he rose over her, long hair falling like a curtain around their heads, shimmering in the low light. Jaina pulled him down into a heated kiss.
The front door chimed.
"Maybe they'll go away," Jaina said into the close, shared air between them. Kalec leaned down to kiss her again.
The door chimed a second time. Then a third. Whoever was on the other side leaned on the bell, making it ring continuously.
Kalec growled, eyes narrowed, baring his teeth in the direction of the front door. Jaina sighed and caressed the side of his face with a hand. "One of us should go see who it is," she said as the chime rang. Kalec rolled off her, flopping to the bed with a grumble.
Jaina rose, threw on a robe and went to see who was at the door. She opened the door just as the mage on the other side lifted her hand to knock. The young magi was her classmate, Lucithy.
"Oh good, I thought I was going to have to start really pounding on the door. Sorry to wake you, Archmage."
Jaina waved a hand. "I was up." She took in the other mage's appearance; she was dressed but a bit mussed and looked as if she'd been woken early as well and was not entirely pleased about it. Jaina felt an odd prickling sensation down the back of her neck and stepped back into her home. "Come inside."
"Sure," Lucithy said, lightly stepping inside. "You can thank Modera for the early wake up call," she said as soon as the door was closed behind her. "She's just arrived from the other Draenor, accompanied by half a dozen Death Knights."
"What happened?"
"Ner'zhul's dead. Again. The other one at least," the younger woman said, holding out a sealed scroll. "She said to bring this to you right away and to kick down the door if you didn't answer." She smirked. "She also said some things about not caring if, ah, you were busy. With Kalecgos." She tapped at the letter. "Modera said make you read this."
Jaina broke the seal and unfolded the letter. Kalec, in a more presentable state, padded into the room on bare feet, wearing only pants.
"Jaina,
Ner'zhul is dead. Some of the Ebon Blade came back with me. Commander Zakrina has requested some staging area space here for her people - all of them. Even the ones from Horde races. I've granted that request provisionally. Khadgar's in favor. I think. Cordana slipped him something so he would actually sleep and he wasn't entirely coherent. He should be fine for the announcement later today.
We've assembled in the old Horde inn. Come join us when you get this. I've sent runners to the others on the council as well. Was a hell of a fight. More to say when you get here."
"What is it?" Kalec asked.
Jaina handed him the note then turned back to Lucithy. The younger mage was staring at Kalec. She smirked at Jaina then wagged her eyebrows when the Archmage cleared her throat. A smile tugged at Jaina's lips for a second. She returned her attention to Kalec. "Modera's returned from Draenor with the death knights and the Ebon Blade commander. They were successful in defeating Ner'zhul."
"That's good, isn't it?"
"I think so."
"I have to go run more errands and bang on a few more doors," Lucithy said, backing up towards the door. "Hopefully they'll be as easy to get ahold of."
Jaina nodded and saw the mage out. She turned to Kalec. "They're meeting in the old Horde inn. I think I should get dressed. You can go back to bed if you like."
"I'm up," he said smiling.
Jaina took a quick shower and got dressed. Her hands had recovered significantly with additional healing courtesy of Yu'len and some rest, but they were tingling by the time she had to brush her hair. Kalec plucked the brush out of her fumbling fingers and began to comb through her hair. His touch was gentle; love behind the gesture.
"You announce about the Horde later today, " he mused as he stroked the brush through a section of her long white hair. "And you'll be armed with a victory."
"Yes. I hope it helps," she said.
Kalec parted the hair at the back of her head and kissed her neck before he resumed his grooming. "I have faith it will be well. In the short term there will be turmoil but once things are routine it will become easier." He set the brush down on her vanity and offered his hand to her. She took it and rose, summoning a cloak to wrap around her shoulders. Dawn was just beginning to peek out over the mountains of Northrend.
"Let me know what I might do to help," he said.
With a final parting kiss, Jaina left her residence, heading for the mostly empty Horde quarter of Dalaran.
Only the bakers were up this early and Jaina could smell bread baking as she made her way to meet Modera. The fireplace had been lit and perhaps a dozen death knights lounges around the room or stood still as statues as they preferred. Modera was seated across a table from the night elf who was commander of the Ebon Blade for the operation. Seated beside her was the tauren death knight who'd come through from the Horde side first. The rest of the death knights were an even mix of Horde and Alliance races.
"Jaina," Modera called over, waving for her to join them.
Jaina felt the eye of everyone in the room turn to focus on her. The weight of their gaze pressing on her as she crossed the room.
"Luci give you any lip?" Modera asked as Jaina joined them at the table.
"No."
"Good. Probably annoyed I woke her up, but I needed a runner and I trust her to keep her mouth shut. Ah, there's Ansirem."
Jaina remained silent, choosing to watch the visitors as the rest of the council arrived, heeding Modera's summons. The meeting with the death knights was fairly short. Commander Zakrina wished to secure a location for her people to use and the city had space. More, they could make space too. For the moment, the Ebon Blade could stay here in the Horde Inn and find more suitable lodgings after the announcement.
The council left after the short meeting, some going home or to get an early start on the day. Jaina and Ansirem ended up walking in the same direction, the lure of coffee and baked goods fresh from the oven too strong to ignore.
"It was a nasty fight it sounds like," Ansirem said after a moment or two of walking in silence.
Jaina fought back a wince. "It was more than any of us expected," she admitted. "We survived though."
Ansirem blew out a huff. "I'm glad you and Khadgar survived," he said. "The Iron Horde have any more evil Naaru tucked away? Spellsong's looking to take more defenders to that campsite she wants to run and I can't say I blame her. Modera made it sound close."
"It was. I don't think there are any more darkened Naaru, however."
"Shame about Prophet Velen," Ansirem said. "The other one I mean. I like him. Bit cryptic and occasionally he can come off as a bit aloof but he's a good man and leads his people as well as he can."
"I am grateful to him for his sacrifice," Jaina said, bowing her head. If Velen had not acted, she and everyone else on that hilltop would have been killed.
"And in an unusual turn of events, you'll probably be able to thank him sometime. Well. The one that belongs here at least," he said, chuckling. He looked over when Jaina didn't laugh along. "Still too fresh and you're not one to laugh after surviving impossible odds then?"
"I suppose not," she said. "Haven't really ever been. Awful things would happen or there would be a battle and I would focus on what came next."
"Ah. That's fair. Lily and I met and bonded over laughing in the face of death and impossible odds. Her foster brother's not like that. Drove him crazy when we did it. So Modera has you taking her deathmarch combat class. How are you finding it?"
That brought out a chuckle. "It's interesting," she said, glad for the change in topic. "I'm used to being able to have the time to compose spells."
"Aye, she'll get you snapping off fireballs faster than you expected you could. I was a fair hand at combat casting myself. I'd seen action before and I'd lived so I thought I had a fair handle on it. Took her class so she'd stop bothering me. I learned a lot. She show you how to make those little fire orbs yet?"
"The tiny ones that look like little stars? She sort of... rockets them of?"
"Yeah!" Ansirem grinned. "I can do the orb part, but just flicking them away and they rocket like a gunshot? Whew. Still don't have the hang of that one at she speed she can do. But then I haven't had quite as long as she has to perfect something like that."
Jaina nodded. "The warding to keep from burning herself was just as amazing. I didn't think combat casting could be so... elegant."
"I know!" Ansirem agreed. "A lot of the basics are brute force and dumping as much energy as you can, so it's not entirely without merit. But she's been doing a lot to encourage working smarter and not harder."
"I'd noticed that the ranks of our defenders had grown. I had plenty of support on Thunder Isle and I was glad of it."
"See much fighting there?"
"Not after the initial landing," Jaina said. "Then it was mostly planning and coordinating in our territory while others like Archmage Zaliya went out and did most of the fighting. At least until Orgrimmar." And she'd been a backline caster there too.
Jaina had fought the Legion on Hyjal and the Scourge at Ice Crown and now the Iron Horde and dark Naaru. She had an impressive resume of survival, but she knew she could be better. There were gaps in her education. They weren't huge, but they were deadly. And she could become more deadly too. Perhaps that was just as necessary as learning how to handle herself better on the battlefield... and what happened after.
"It will be good to bring the Shado-pan here," Jaina said.
"Hmm? Oh, for their after-combat thing that Modera's been talking about. A lot of people aren't happy about giving up what we took from Thunder Isle."
"It's worth it," Jaina said.
Jaina adjusted her hair in the mirror again, then began to button her overcoat. It was deep purple with delicate gold embroidery at the edges. A small scattering of gems and enchantments provided rich sparkle and accent. It was warm against the encroaching winter chill, which always came early in Northrend. Her long white hair hung free down her back, obscuring the inset golden fabric in the shape of the Kirin Tor Eye. She had little need to hold off the cold, but it was an impressive and official looking statement. The council had decided as a group they would come at this with the utmost formality.
But the buttons would not work in her shaking hands.
Kalec gently took her hands and drew them to her sides. He ran fingers through her hair during a gentle hug, then began to fasten the buttons of the coat. His motions were sure and he had no trouble.
"It will be fine," Kalec said. "If not in the short term then in the long run. It will be fine, Jaina. This is a formality, you said so yourself."
"So much has been building up to this," Jaina said, shoulders sagging. Her stomach roiled but there was something calming about having her mate dress her. "Yu'len believes I have built it up in my head."
"Have you?"
"Maybe I have," Jaina said.
"You said Modera started to make contingency plans should the worst happen. What is the worst that could happen?"
"The entire city tells us to leave and forcibly tries to kick us off, physically, over the edge."
"Well you know slow-fall and you happen to be sleeping with a rather dashing and talented winged creature, so being tossed over the side shouldn't be a concern," Kalec said, wagging his eyebrows at her.
Jaina smiled a little. "But- I'd have failed." Again
"No, they would have decided not to accept your very well reasoned and executed plans and the rest of the council would be in the same position. There are others who agree with you already." He kissed her forehead. "And if you all don't mind something a bit colder and larger I happen to know of a mostly empty city with an extensive library of magic that could take on additional tenants."
Jaina looked up. "You'd let us live in Coldarra?"
He rested his forehead against hers. "It will belong to the younger races one day. The members of the Council are some of the most talented and respectful mages currently living on Azeroth. Why not get started if you needed it?" He took her hand and tucked her arm into his. "And Varian would give you space in Stormwind. You could even return to Kul Tiras."
Jaina grimaced. She... had a complicated history with her homeland. Her initial attempts to broker peace with the Horde hadn't been welcome - her father and brother had been killed by the Horde. Peace was not especially welcome. Theramore had been a point of pride and confusion - an Alliance outpost on Kalimdor, but run by a woman who had ideas about the world they didn't tend to agree with. She imagined they'd have cheered news of the Purge, but her resumption of a more peaceful political stance with regard to the Horde would not be very popular. In many ways, Kul Tiras wasn't home anymore. They were more comfortable with her male cousin in charge, anyway. Jaina shoved those thoughts aside.
"But, I don't think that will happen," Kalec continued. "This will go ahead with some angst and disruption but then it will settle down. Changes always come with adjustment."
"Thank you for being sensible when I am not," Jaina said, kissing his shoulder. They left for the Violet Citadel.
Jaina was not the last Council members to arrive. Khadgar wasn't the last either. That prize went to Modera.
The Archmage was in full battle-dress, the armor still scuffed from her combat against the Iron Horde and then Ner'zhul. She'd even added additional enchanted items she'd not worn on the short-notice trek to Draenor. The power thrummed tangibly around her and though she'd only had a few hours of sleep, Modera's eyes glowed blue with both magic and alertness. Lucithy trailed behind her, carrying the Archmage's helm, more serious than Jaina had seen her be.
"We ready to do this?" Ansirem asked. Like Jaina he wore formal robes. Spellsong stood nearby, looking both sleek and deadly in light leathers.
"Let's get it over with so the bellyaching can happen and then everyone can get over that," Karlain said. He wore his own impressive set of armor.
"And we have news of a victory to share," Khadgar said, grinning. He looked much improved after some sleep. "Not one but three Council members assisted in the Shadowmoon offensive."
Modera and Spellsong nodded in agreement, both focused on the task ahead. Modera looked over at Jaina. "Archmage."
Jaina nodded and drew in a deep breath then let it out. When she lifted her head she let the weight of her office pull the diplomatic mask down. The weight of it crushed the lingering anxiety, bolstered by the confidence of her peers. She gathered the council with her eyes and turned for the front door to the citadel. Kalec and Lucithy slipped out ahead of the Council of Six and went to the side, waiting with the rest of the crowd.
Stepping into the midday sun Jaina looked over the people gathered to hear the Council's announcement. The rest of the council flanked her, standing close as a united front.
"Citizens of Dalaran!" Jaina called out, her voice magically amplified. "We come before you today to make several important announcements. First, the Kirin Tor will be stepping up our support for the ongoing efforts against the Iron Horde in Draenor. Yesterday there was an assault on the necromancer Ner'zhul's stronghold. It was joint venture involving the Knights of the Ebon Blade," Jaina paused to nod at Commander Zakrina and her small cluster of officers who stood out from the crowd in their dark plate. Jaina continued, "and the Lunarfall and Frostfire garrisons. Archmages Khadgar, Modera and I were present to assist and we were successful. We will be seeking additional opportunities such as this one."
"The Council has also decided that we will once more allow the races of the Horde within the city." As expected there was a dull roar of reaction to that news. Jaina continued onward over the crowd. "Garrosh Hellscream gave the orders that led to the violation of our portal network and the injury to our allies in Darnassus and in Pandaria. He was aided by Aethas Sunreaver and a small contingent of Sunreaver's faction. For this reason, Sunreaver will not be allowed to return to Dalaran and his mages will have much to prove before they are allowed here again.
"When the Horde Mages were purged from the city, many left peacefully, taking their goods and businesses, their knowledge and power with them. It is to those mages, who uphold the same value on learning and magical research and discovery, that we once again open our doors. Dalaran was a city built for all Mages and through the war with the Scourge, with Malygos and then with Deathwing we worked together for the benefit of Azeroth. We have a new common enemy; Garrosh Hellscream and his Iron Horde.
"This will be a period of transition. It was when the Horde mages were first admitted into the city, but we adapted and we grew. That spirit of openness was taken advantage of, but in the best interest of Dalaran and for Azeroth, we cannot remain closed forever."
Jaina paused a moment. The crowd continued to murmur amongst themselves and Jaina was certain that the debate would be loud and ongoing until things were more fully settled. There were many worried faces and she felt for them. But Karlain and Ansirem had created a solid policy.
"I know you will have questions and concerns. The Council had many of the same. We have come up with a set of policies which will allow us to expand once more while maintaining the peaceful security of Dalaran.
"First, Aethas Sunreaver is not allowed to return for the foreseeable future. Any mage of his faction seeking to gain readmittance must be vouched for by a Kirin Tor mage of good standing. These mages will be subject to additional security and scrutiny until such a time as they have proven themselves trustworthy. All Horde owned businesses which once operated here are welcome to return and reopen in their previous locations provided those have not been inhabited in the interim. The Council will facilitate negotiations over questions of tenancy where there is conflict.
"That being said, the Council will not abide by unscrupulous business practices or discrimination. This has always been the rule here, but given the tumultuous recent history, extra vigilance will be ongoing. It is very easy to fall into old patterns of hate and mistrust. But for us to continue we must set these aside and embrace the opportunities increased business will bring.
"The security on all portals has been increased over the past week and will continue until we have fully realized the plans Archmages Karlain and Runeweaver have devised. Some portals now terminate in locations which are less convenient but more secure," Jaina said. Many of the frowns in the crowd had become thoughtful and Jaina relaxed a little. Knowing that the situation was being handled and had been well thought eased the worry many felt. Or at least that is what she hoped the people of Dalaran thought.
"Dalaran has always been there to assist the forces of Azeroth against great and terrible foes. The Horde has seen fit to not only remove Garrosh Hellscream from power, but have sought to have him brought to justice, wherever he might hide. It will be our challenge to see past the actions of a few and to embrace the Horde Mages as brothers and sisters in the study of magic so that all Azeroth may benefit from our collaboration."
"Well, That's done," Spellsong said once they'd returned inside.
"It is and now we're going to go manage the inevitable storm, aren't we Ansirem?" Karlain said.
Runeweaver took a moment then squared his shoulders. "We are indeed. Best get to it."
The two council members left and the party of visiting Shado-pan were admitted. Outside there was a great deal of chatter as the city discussed the change. The volume dropped as the doors closed again. The Pandaren in the lead was shorter than usual, his fur gone to steel grey, his beard white. He was flanked by two other pandaren, including healer Yu'len. The healer inclined her head slightly to Jaina who returned the gesture more deeply.
"Master Snowpaw," Modera greeted. "These are Archmages Khadgar, Karlain, Spellsong and Proudmoore of the Council of Six." She indicated each in turn then to Kalecgos. "Lord Kalecgos of the blue flight who is counted among our number as an Archmage of the Kirin Tor and Magus Lucithy."
"We welcome the news you presented here today," the Pandaren said. "While we wished to help your people and were eager to regain access to the Mogu artifacts recovered from thunder Isle, we do not wish to takes side in the ongoing conflict."
"That is understood. We did as we felt was best for the city while Garrosh Hellscream was in control of the Horde," Jaina said. "Now the situation has changed and the Council has been able to reevaluate the situation."
"So, shall we get down to business then?" Modera gestured towards the exit. "The meeting room on this level should comfortably accommodate everyone. I thought first we might discuss the logistics for engaging your healers further and once we're more settled on that, Lucithy will fetch Magus Sharpaxe, our curator of the Mogu relics."
"Yes ma'am," Lucithy sketched a salute.
Modera snorted a laugh. Her eyes flicked back to the door then went back to Jaina. "If you'll excuse us, Jaina, I think your meeting just arrived." Modera nodded towards the door where two figures in cloaks had just slipped through. The taller of the two had pushed back his hood revealing himself to be Anduin Wrynn.
Jaina smiled at the young man she called 'nephew'. Coordinating with the Shado Pan was something Modera had been heading up and while Jaina felt personally interested, she'd delegated the task and Modera had handled it beautifully thus far. Bowing to the Shado-pan once more, Jaina then collected Kalec and went to embrace the prince.
"I didn't expect you to be here," she said.
"How could I not be," Anduin said, returning the hug. "Do you have some time to speak?" He clasped hands with Kalec, giving the dragon a friendly smile before looking back at Jaina.
"I do." Her eyes flickered to the other person. The cloaked visitor was a woman who looked vaguely famili- Tess Greymane! An interesting development. "We can use my office," Jaina said. She leaned up to kiss Kalec. "I'll be home in a little bit."
Kalec snorted a laugh. "If you're not home by dinner I'm storming the tower," he said, winking. He inclined his head to the others then wandered over to where Khadgar and Spellsong were talking.
It was only after the door to her office had closed that Tess lowered the hood of the cloak she wore.
"You really did it," Anduin said, grinning broadly, eyes shining as he took a seat across from Jaina.
"I suppose I did. Now we'll just wait and see what happens," she said. She looked over at Tess. "I don't imagine everyone will be pleased by what we've done but it was necessary."
"My father is going to a lot to say and none of it is going to be complimentary," Tess agreed.
"And what do you think?"
Greymane's eyes widened a fraction in surprise. Jaina only noticed because she'd been studying the young woman's reactions. She was wearing a diplomatic mask, a very good one.
"What I think?" Tess repeated, buying herself time.
Jaina smiled and nodded. Tess was her father's heir. Jaina had heard very little of Gilnean princess, now that she'd thought about it. Which made Anduin's recent note informing Jaina that the situation was "interesting" all the more curious.
"I don't trust Sylvanas," Tess said after a contemplative moment. "I think the other Horde leaders will allow her to run rampant and Vol'jin is going to have a hard time holding them together. I don't particularly like the idea that any of Sylvanas' mages might have easy access to the libraries here." She tapped her fingers on the armrest of her chair, noticed what she was doing and stopped herself. "I think the Blood Elves, at least some of them, might have the potential to be good allies. Some still suffer magical addiction and access to Dalaran would be good for them."
Tess sat back in her seat. "Most of my opposition stems from the Forsaken for the obvious reasons." She rolled her eyes and gave Anduin a look. "And I acknowledge the Horde is more than just the Forsaken." She looked back at Jaina. "But we are a people in exile and Dalaran must consider its own best interests, so I don't know what I might bring to the discussion."
"Tess, there's an opportunity here." Anduin said patiently. Jaina got the impression this was already an old debate between the two future monarchs.
"Yes," she admitted, "But father is... unreasonable when it comes to Sylvanas. And one must be reasonable for peace."
"Even if we were discussing an end to the fighting?" Anduin asked.
Tess winced. "Even so." She shook her head, frowning, her dark eyes hooded. "He's going to see what Dalaran does as a betrayal, and that your father supports Dalaran will cut him deeply," she said to Anduin. "And he is going to rant and rave. He might pull our people out of Dalaran. Or attempt to at least."
"You don't think they'll listen," Jaina said.
Again, the slight widening of brown eyes which quickly narrowed just a bit, calculating. "We've seen beyond the wall. Our mages have always reached beyond." She smiled quickly, a fierce flash of teeth that was almost as wolfish as her father. "There was a brisk trade using mages to import and export. The merchant marine hated them. They are enjoying their freedom."
Interesting that she knew about the smuggling. But then Jaina had been aware of the existence of various smuggling operations run in and through Kul Tiras when she was younger. She knew several such... interesting enterprises had once been run in Dalaran. Those had gone silent with the news of the purge. Jaina wondered if they might resurface and made a mental note to check.
"But you want to come to the table?" Anduin asked, the barest edge of desperation in his voice.
Tess turned her attention back to him, her expression softening just a bit. "It isn't right my people aren't home. There are four years olds now who've never been there. They know Darnassus and Stormwind, but not Gilnaeas. I am truly grateful for all the support that your father and High Priestess Whisperwind have given to us, but they need to go home."
They needed to go home. Not 'we'. Not her. Jaina noted the phrase and wondered if she was reading into it more than she should.
Anduin relaxed, either not having heard the same thing Jaina had, or not giving it notice. "This is a first step to actual peace."
"So you have been saying. Repeatedly." She arched a brow at him, more amused than anything Jaina judged.
Anduin blushed a bit, color creeping up his neck and into his fair cheeks, but his expression was serious. "But I'm not wrong. We can get your father and Sylvanas to talk. We can get everyone to talk, to settle some of the issues like the logging in ashenvale."
Tess's eyes narrowed. "Huh."
"What?"
"Not sure yet. Keep talking Wrynn."
Anduin rolled his eyes and looked over to Jaina. Jaina smiled. He was doing very well on his own and this was both fascinating and good for the two as allies and future leaders.
"Look," Anduin said when it was clear Jaina was letting him handle things, "I'm saying we can't just keep killing one another. It's not helping anyone and it's just making things worse. We can build some trust. Dalaran returning to neutrality gives us an avenue of communication and potential opportunities."
"Not everyone can just set aside their differences. Father's held grudges until they died of old age and then had them stuffed and mounted," Tess quipped. She looked at Jaina. "He's not sure he believes you made Theramore neutral, Lady Proudmoore."
"I did," Jaina said, "and it was no trap. I think that for the best interest of Azeroth, we should stop the fighting."
"Even after everything? Today's announcement surprised me as much as word of Theramore."
Jaina drew in a breath and let it out, eyes closed. "Yes. Because there are worse things in the Great Dark Beyond than Garrosh Hellscream. And because by choosing not to be like him, he loses. By making him the thing we unite against, he loses. He wanted to conquer the world." Jaina looked up and smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. "I'm going to crush his hopes and dreams. I'm going to wage peace because I am very tired of burying my friends and family."
Greymane arched an eyebrow, surprised and intrigued. Her answering smile was that little feral flash of teeth again. The time chimed and her attention was directed to the clock. She looked back at Jaina and then Anduin. She chewed on her lip, the most telling gesture she'd done so far.
"We're vulnerable," she finally admitted. "We are almost entirely reliant on our allies. Our lands are held by undead monsters who are allowed to do as they wish." She tapped her fingers on the chair. "But Sylvanas's resources are not infinite. She's had to become more strategic in her deployments and in who she raises these past few years. Even so, every dead soldier is potentially a recruit for her and so we are deadlocked." She scowled. "Pun very much not intended." Tess shook her head.
"Father is stubborn and the more he doesn't want to change, the harder it is for him. But he has a weakness; Mother. If we can convince her, she can make him see reason, especially if all of his allies are moving in the same direction. It would have to be all of them. As for Sylvanas? If the rest of the Horde were not so permissive of her actions, she'd have to retreat. She needs their support. If Dalaran is the method and means of making that happen, then it is possible she might fall back. Enabling Father to retake our lands would make him far more amenable to a variety of things."
"He wouldn't listen to you?" Anduin questioned, frowning slightly. He'd approached her believing she could reach Genn as he'd been able to reach Varian.
Tess norted. "Mother is the way to get him to come to any sort of table for peace talks." Tess rose. "And I apologise for excusing myself, Lady Proudmoore, Anduin, but I have an appointment to keep."
Jaina and Anduin rose as well, Anduin pulling up his hood. "I'll go with you. This discussion gave me some ideas."
Tess looked at him, shrugged and pulled her hood up. "As you like." She made a quick bow to Jaina then left. Anduin gave her a quick hug then trotted after.
Jaina watched them go and considered. Getting Queen Mia on their side might help. But using a better relationship with Vol'jin to pull back Sylvanas? That was an interesting idea. Unfortunately Jaina could foresee a point where Tyrande and Genn presented a united front against Jaina and Anduin's plans. She'd have to work on Tyrande as well. The observation about the Forsaken's limitations on how many new undead they could raise was interesting. It reflected what Varian's intelligence people had told him - mostly. Jaina was unsurprised the Gilneans had been paying close attention, and it appeared that Tess was well informed on that front.
Also interesting was the Princess of Gilneas herself. She'd learned her statecraft well, which was typical for a young woman of her rank, but her execution as not typical. There was an added layer of wariness and calculation that was entirely absent in Anduin and which couldn't be accounted for in experience granted by age. Something interesting was going on with her that Jaina couldn't quite put her finger on.
There was a knock on her door and Jaina set those thoughts aside for another time.
The city that night was filled with controversy and argument. Jaina could hear it in the halls of the Violet Hold. It grew loud enough it reached her from the streets. It grew louder as evening approached. Karlain and Ansirem were handling things well amid the chaos.
"Things will settle down," Karlain had told her. "They did last time. Everyone will act out and storm as things change, then it will settle down."
After speaking with Anduin she'd had a line of mages in and out of her office expressing concerns over the Council's decision. Jaina wasn't certain they were reassured by her either but there wasn't much she could do but stand united with the rest of the Council. Some had yelled at her, some had been polite. Two had brought charts and given they were senior enough to have some clout but not senior enough they'd been forewarned, Jaina brought out her own charts. The debate had been calming in a way. While they all had feelings about the Horde, numbers and logic were unassailable facts. She'd secured their support once they'd understood the full extent of the Council's concerns and also consideration of the whole picture. One mage had cried.
That had been the hardest. Magus Dawnlight had lost family to the various races of the Horde even before they were united under that banner, and then he'd lost more. He was a willowy, bookish High Elf and even in tears, his plea had been elegant.
Jaina understood the pain and loss. All she could do was offer reassurance that they would do their best to guard against further violations. Reassurance and hope.
We're doing this so no one else will die," she'd told him. "So we can find a way to stop it entirely."
Magus Dawnlight had sniffed and reflected on that for a moment. "I don't know that's possible," he'd said before leaving.
Jaina stood just inside her balcony door as she watched the city below, the day's meetings playing over and over in her head. Night was falling but the city was alive and bustling with the news. Jaina sighed and turned away, closing her doors and locking her office.
Not wishing to deal with the crowds or with alterations in the street, she teleported past the wards in her home and appeared in her parlor.
"Kalec?"
"Here," he called from the kitchen.
Her stomach rumbled at the delicious smells as she approached. But the kitchen, and the dragon, was a disaster. Measuring cups coated in flour and sugar were stacked to the side. The sink was filled with mixing bowls and dishes. More cutting boards than she knew she owned were being used as three knives sliced mushrooms, root vegetables and tubers. The remains of some sort of animal were neatly broken down and under a cooling spell while Kalec worked on other things. Dirty pans were stacked on the unused burner of the stove and the underlying scent of something having burned at some earlier point. There was flour in his hair and smudges of all sorts on his clothing, even though he'd chosen to wear an apron.
Something was in the oven, the scent tangy and mouthwatering. There was a pie on a cooling rack on the small table in the little breakfast nook. Two dozen cookies were beside it.
Kalec dumped all three cutting boards into a huge stew pot then began to work on the waiting meat, stripping it from the bones and turning it into bite-sized cubes. Seven pieces of parchment were held by his magic in the air.
"What's this?"
"Dinner," he said as he wiped his hands on a towel and leaned in to kiss her. "Finch and I reinforced the warding just in case anyone did anything untoward then I decided you needed a quiet night at home. Jaxi gave me some of her declassified recipes." He plucked a cookie from the table and popped it into her mouth, winking.
Jaina chewed automatically as the dragon transferred the cubes of meat to a bowl of flour then to a pan to brown. "You cook?" she asked, surprised.
"On occasion. I haven't for some time, so I'm afraid the first batch of cookies didn't work out before I remembered what I was doing," he explained as he poked at the browning meat. "I hope you don't mind?"
"No," she said, finding a seat out of the way.
Kalec transferred the meat into the giant stockpot, turned up the heat, put a lid on it then sat with her. "I'll clean the mess," he said before eating one of the cookies in two bites. "If you didn't come home I was going to bring you dinner."
"You cook. Dragons cook?" He'd made sandwiches and simple things, but it was clear he'd been baking and by the smell, cooking here was a few steps beyond basics.
Kalec smiled and scooted his chair over so he could wrap an arm around her shoulders. "Sometimes," he said. "Roasts were something we would do on occasion. Stuffing game with herbs or wrapping one animal in another. Bacon wrapped penguin is one of my favorite snacks. But I learned more when I interacted with the younger races."
Jaina leaned her head against his shoulder. "You didn't need to do anything, but I appreciate it."
"It started with the cookies and then expanded into dinner. And then dinner sort of got out of hand," he explained, handing her another cookie as he took one for himself. "Do you want to talk about how the rest of the day went?" He rose to tend to the stew, shoving the cookie into his mouth as he walked.
"Not yet," she said, sighing, "and yet I do. What did you see today?"
"Mixed reactions," he said. "The most frequent concern was that violence would erupt in the city and concern for their own wellbeing or their families. Some people were very angry that the council decided to let the Horde back in. Other people were more positive, but guarded because their neighbors were so angry."
Jaina sighed and slumped back in her chair. "I suppose that is something. Karlain believes things will settle down in a few days and people will move on. Like last time. The situation is somewhat different but I am hoping it will settle."
"It will be what will be," Kalec said.
Jaina scowled but he pressed a mug into her hands. "Try that." He was back to checking the oven. She let go of the flash of irritation. He was right. What would be would be.
The mug had warm wassail from the smaller pot on the back burner. The smell brought back memories of winters past. It was good when she tasted it. "A bit more citrus maybe," she suggested. He nodded and dropped more orange slices into the pot then squeezed another orange half into the mix.
How long had it been since she'd had a home cooked meal? Before Thunder Isle at least. And it had been since Theramore when she'd sometimes sneak down to the kitchens. But the cooks, as lovely as they had been, had been employees to some extent. Perhaps it had been an evening with Kinndy. One memory in particular stuck out; the evening she and Kinndy had gone through her apprentice's list of conjured foods and then had gone through Jaina's larger repertoire. She smiled, wiping her eyes with the back of a hand. That had been such a fun night.
"It's that bad?"
She laughed. "No, I was just remembering the night Kinndy and I spent the whole evening conjuring food. I tested what she knew and she wanted to see what I could do. We had far too many sweets but it was fun. She'd just come to Theramore and I was testing what she knew already." It was a good bonding experience and the gnome girl had been far more at ease with her new mentor and her new home afterwards.
"Thank you for the home cooked meal," She said. "It's been awhile since I've had one. Vereesa would occasionally invite me over. Anduin and Varian would too, but dinner at Stormwind was... It's different than this."
He kissed her forehead then went back to the oven as his timer chimed. He pulled out a casserole dish and a roasting pan. Already on the stove was the stew pot and two others that held some sort of vegetable. He gave her an apologetic smile. "I said might have gone overboard." He turned off the heating enchantments and looked a bit embarrassed once it was all out.
"It's nice. A good surprise at the end of an insane day." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you."
News of the readmittance of the Horde led to many conversations and debates long into the Dinner Party reconvened as once such gathering. The Hostess did not actually host the gathering this time, but all the same players who'd been there before were once more in attendance in the new location.
"I can't believe she did it," the burly human said.
"She did," the youngest said, eyes hollow, betrayed. She looked to the Hostess. "What do we do? What can we do?"
The Hostess sighed from her spot by the window. She turned back to the rest of those assembled. "We move ahead with our plans. And when we are ready, make our displeasure known."