Chapter 9
Vol'jin's version of a palace was a hut with a lot of built in rooms.
We sat in the main one, looking over a map of Orgrimmar, in the middle of the night, and he was exhausted.
We had hurriedly called council of the needed leaders, and none of them looked happy to be awake. Anduin was watching me curiously. 'Mist' I mouthed, and he paled.
"Alrigh'. We all be here. What is da information, Jade?" Vol'jin asked, rubbing at his face tiredly.
"I received a vision from the Mist tonight." I said, and many of the leaders in the room squirmed uncomfortably, including Vol'jin-Mist meant dead people.
"Who came forwad?"
"Thessali Theron and Tiffin Wrynn."
Chaos broke out. Varian Wrynn was yelling, Father was yelling, and Anduin looked sick. Amongst the chaos, he said so I could hear, "Did she try- "
"No, she apologized," I responded quickly, and he nodded.
I was clutching at my pounding head, feeling a little nauseous myself.
"Silence!" Vol'jin yelled, and the leaders quieted, thank Azeroth.
A troll woman brought in herbal tea and a potion, and I took both gratefully, the pain in my head easing considerably.
"They didn't get to much, but what they had was valuable. A fog rolled over the blood bath in Krasarang. Both Garrosh and the alliance forces intend to return in a month.
Garrosh's reason is unknown, but the alliance intends to back us up here," I said, rubbing my temples as the vision shook uncertainly in my memory, "They also said that when the time comes, they could rally the spirits and back us up."
"When the time comes? What does that mean?" Jaina Proudmoore spoke up, white eyes shining as bright as her silvery hair, which was pinned up spare for the one blonde lock left.
"Absolutely no idea, but the dead see the future. It may mean that we have heavy casualties, and that's who they rally." I said, and everyone in the room grumbled.
Reinforcements good, but casualties were bad.
"The important thing is. We have a month to rally our outlying forces inward," Vereesa Windrunner spoke up, and I bit back a Snarl-I did not like that woman.
"This is good information. Thank ya, Jadearra," Vol'jin said, and I nodded tiredly.
I actually haven't slept yet; visions didn't make for anything restful.
"Let's all go back to bed, and reconvene and plan in the morning?" Father suggested, and I heard agreements throughout the room.
I stood; swaying dangerously, and two hands came to steady me at once.
Anduin and my father.
Anduin pulled back like he'd been burned, and Father glared.
"Come, Jadearra. Let's go back to the hut." Father said, putting a hand on my back to guide me out of the big hut.
We walked across camp in silence, but the stony look on Father's face and the immovable grip on my shoulder told me I was on thin ice.
A freezing wind moved through suddenly and I shivered, tucking into his side, wishing I had Anduin's cloak still.
Mother was standing on the steps, a look that spoke of her fatigue.
"You have a package waiting for you, it appeared from thin air," She said, and confusion pooled in the pit of my stomach as I stepped past her, giving her a kiss to her temple.
I took the note from where it sat on the package, flipping it open to read.
It's getting Colder-A
I opened the bundle, and gasped.
It was Anduin's cloak, with the Lion crest taken from the clasp and replaced with the Theron family crest.
That little shit, he thought of me.
"Who's it from?"
I jumped out of my skin, tucking the note into my pocket quickly and smiling at mother, "A friend from Pandaria, Mother-Mai the shopkeeper, I told her I hated the cold, and she must've fashioned a cloak for the dress." I said, guilt oozing into my skin as I lied through my teeth.
Mother nodded tiredly, sitting heavily on her mat before lying down, and I thought I saw a flicker of silver hair instead of ruby in the moonlight.
No, I'm imagining things.
My mother is not sick.
Father curled around her, and she smiled, fast asleep.
"Goodnight," I whispered, clasping the cloak around me and curling up in it on my mat, inhaling the sweet minty scent and missing him.
"We're almost out of food, because you're hoarding it!"
"Excuse me? We hunt for our own food; you send your spies and steal from our stocks!"
Arguing continued, and I groaned into my hands, head aching. I sat on a log at the edge of camp, cloak pulled tight around me as the wind grew colder-someone must know I'm here, the Isles are usually hot.
"Your ladyship-"
I stood, turning to see an orc in earth toned robes, green skin and muscles, with blue eyes and a ceremonial necklace.
"Thrall, old friend," I smiled, happy to see a friendly face, nodding.
"It is good to see you. I have some information that I need you to relay to Vol'jin-he cannot know I came here." He said, beckoning me into the shadows, and I looked around once before following.
"I am going into Orgrimmar alone. I have allies that can help me slow Garrosh's forces down as they fortify-they know you're here." Thrall said, and I nodded, suspicions confirmed.
"Garrosh knows you specifically are here-he has dark shamans forcing all the northern wind currents through the isles, attempting to freeze you out of hiding." Thrall said, and I felt sick-of course he would.
"I will set the Earthen Ring about sending some fog through Orgrimmar-your spirits have been mucking about, causing havoc and whatnot. I will aid you however I can. Go!" With that, he teleported, and I was alone.
I gnawed on that information as I held my head, the aching having grown worse, and a freezing blast caught me, causing the cloak to fly open.
Cold.
I cried out as I fell, going to my knees as my hands dug into the sand, turning the grains grey along with my arms. The wind was coming in faster-
"Oh hell no."
Light surrounded me, setting the sand into a ring of holy fire, and heat seared my skin. The grey faded back to flesh tones.
I looked up to see Anduin there, and I nodded, out of breath and covered in sweat.
"Message for Vol'jin-mist visions. Can't-" I puked on the ground in between us, shaking.
"I got you, come on." He scooped me up carefully, like that day a lifetime ago, when he saved my arms and my life.
I heard voices as he ran me through the camp, and up to Vol'jin, who had set his things aside immediately.
"I suspect our ladyship has procured another vision," Vol'jin said, and I nodded, shaking.
"We need fire-she's going to freeze." Anduin said, not putting me down, which I think everyone, saw, but Baine spurred into action, gathering torches quickly.
"Garrosh knows we're here," I said, and it seems that I sent the camp into a dead silence.
"He what?"
"He-someone-someone told him. I don't know who. His arsenal is being fortified-" I groaned, keeling over, and mist was flooding the edges of the island.
Sister…
"Not now!" I snarled, sending everyone stepping back a little, I had to concentrate.
"Dark shaman-directing northern wind-trying to freeze me out-" I groaned, "-another vision, I can't-"
I was in the dead clearing, and I fell to my knees, gasping, the cloak having turned black in the vision. Thessali and Tiffin floated before me.
"You couldn't have waited?" I rasped, breathing heavily.
"Apologies sister. The shaman are directing wind too quickly, we haven't long-they moved us through Orgrimmar. Is this your doing?" Thessali asked, and I nodded, focusing on the ground.
"Tell me everything. Fast. Or I'm going to vomit." I said, and they launched into it.
"Warlocks are all dead, hanging in the cleft of shadow."
"Citizens of Theramore being used as slaves and for entertainment."
"Orgrimmar citizens being forced to serve."
"Massive compound underground-no idea what's in there but it's bad."
"Nazgrim has sided with Garrosh."
I nodded once they stopped, my forehead dripping with sweat.
"You wear my son's cloak." Tiffin said, and I nodded again.
"I must return to the living. Rally all you can. I will need you there when I call."
I launched back into reality, gasping for air and sweating like a pig.
I was moved and brought out into the cold briefly, and Anduin was there, saying something.
"Eyes on me elf. You're hyperventilating."
"Hands off my daughter you-"
I held up a hand, leaning on Anduin for support, "Need…the…help. He's…fine."
Mother stopped, looking taken aback, but I couldn't focus on that.
"Shit I'm going to-" Anduin jumped out of the way as I emptied the contents of my stomach, then moving me before I fell into it.
"What did you learn?" that was Tyrande Whisperwind's voice.
"She learned a lot, and we can hear all about it later. Give her here human, I won't hurt her." Teir.
I was handed off to a considerably colder set of arms, and Teir helped me to my feet.
She helped me away from the crowd, who were all staring in shock, and I heard my parents rush to follow.
Teir set me down on the steps, tucking the cloak in around me, checking my pulse and my breathing.
"You'll live. Can you talk without upchucking?" Teir asked, and I gave a weak smile, eyes flashing a little.
"You're too good at this," I rasped, and she shrugged.
"Yeah well, being dead has its Quirks-I know an over dosage on the mist when I see one, now spill the beans kid," She said, and I told her what Thessali and Tiffin told me.
Her face grew graver with each revelation, and I knew that Mother and Father stood behind me, listening in.
"You need rest; I will relay this to the leaders at council tonight-stay here.
Understand?" Teir said, the concern in her eyes a total clash with her corpse.
"I will watch over her," Mother said, sitting beside me now and rubbing my back reassuringly.
Teir nodded, watching for a moment before turning and walking away, "Come Lor'Themar, we have to go off to council."
I listened to them walk away, and I knew I was in for it when Mother started tapping out distress signals on my shoulder blades.
"Why did that boy know what to do? Why did you trust him?" Mother asked, and I sighed.
"He was with me in Pandaria, and fighting the Sha led to...night terrors, that would leave me like that, and visions that were twisted by their influence. He learned pretty quick how to fix it fast." I said, and she nodded, quiet.
"Jadearra…is he- "
Mother broke into hacks, and I sat up quickly, holding her biceps and imagining her hair was flickering silver again. Once the hacks subsided, she leaned against the railing again.
"I'm alright dear, the smell of Alliance isn't agreeing with me," she joked, and I let it slide…for now.
We fell into a comfortable, if not sleepy, silence, and I was dozing against her as she tapped out code for bedtime stories along my spine, when she broke the spell.
"You know I love you, right?" she said, and I looked up at her, confused.
"Of course, Mother. I love you more than anything and everything," I said, and she smiled, kissing my hair.
"You also know that I would do anything to protect you, right? Even if you don't always agree with my methods?" She was oddly still, and I had a bad feeling.
"Yes, Mother, and I you," I said, sitting up and eyeing her.
"Then you should forgive me for this," she whispered, and I didn't realize until to late that she was tapping out the incantations for a sleeping spell.
"MOTHER?!" I snarled, suddenly sitting beside my unconscious self, and I glared at my mother.
She looked guilty, pressing a kiss to my temple and whispering, "This is for your own good." She drew the cloak tight around me and pulled up the hood, before walking away.
I stomped along behind her, my dream form making no footprints in the sand, and I realized with a thud that she had a knife.
She wouldn't-
She slipped into the main hut, silently looking through the crowd, and I knew with certainty who she was going for.
How do I stop her-?
I felt eyes on me, and I turned to see Teir staring at me, confused.
I raced over to her, turning her head to look at Anduin and hissing in her ear, "Mother put me under a spell, and I'm knocked out. She's going to kill him. Stop her."
She tapped on the wall behind her, quietly, but I made out the message 'P-O-I-S-O-N-?'
"No, she took my knife. She's going to lure him out I think."
'P-E-R-M-I-S-S-I-O-N 2 H-A-R-M-?'
"Only as a last resort, knock her out if you have to, this is the incantation for the sleeping spell she used on me." She looked at my fingers out of the corner of her eye as I showed her, "Don't let her hurt him."
She nodded, a miniscule flick of her head, and faded into the shadows beside me, moving through me and shadowing Mother, who was watching Anduin conveniently excuse himself.
She followed, and so did Teir.
So did I.
"Elynae-" Anduin turned to find a knife tip at his throat.
"Did you put her under a spell? Some sort of brainwashing?" She accused, and Teir stepped forward.
"Elynae, darling. That really isn't on the agenda." She said, smiling creepily.
I bristled-get him away from the knife god dammit.
"How did-dammit, she's watching isn't she." She whirled around, looking wildly for a form she couldn't see.
While Mother was looking, Teir danced forward, pinning Mother gently and tapping out the spell on her spine, and gathering her up as she collapsed. Anduin looked a little terrified.
"Thank your Princess, human. Mummy dearest wanted to murder you. Jadey…. didn't agree." With that, Teir walked away, Mother in her arms.
I caught up with her, "Thank you Teir."
"It's what I do, isn't it-what's the incantation to wake you up? Mummy could use a nap, and your pet could use some consoling," Teir said, and I rolled my eyes, tapping the incantation on the stair railing above where I was collapsed.
Teir set mother down on her mat, closed the door, and tapped out the anti spell along my spine.
I jolted back into my body, Coughing-I hate spirit travelling.
"Welcome back to the waking world, enjoy your nap?" Teir asked, and I stuck my tongue out at her.
"Get back to your council-and thank you," I ended my sentence quietly, and she patted my cheek with a smile, before walking away.
I fixed the cloak before walking towards where we had left Anduin, and he was still there, but sitting now. He looked up at my approach.
"I take it something happened that involved you," He said, and I sat next to him, nodding.
"Mother…decided that my not murdering you is a threat to my safety, and decided to try and murder you herself. One knock out spell later and I had to go haunt Teir to save your butt, Princeling," I said, and he bumped my shoulder with his.
"Thank you, Princessling. But I was wrong about something." I raised an eyebrow at him, and he continued, "I lasted a full minute at knifepoint by your mother and I live to tell the tale."
"Aren't you lucky," I said, smiling, then I heard the meeting adjourning above us.
One look and we were gone to go fabricate our lies.
I sat down on the steps of the hut and pretended to look sleepy as Mother stepped out, looking at me odd, "What did you do?"
"Huh? I must've fallen asleep," I yawned, "Where'd you go?"
"I we-doesn't matter dear," she plastered on a smile, "did you sleep well?"
Oh don't try and fake it.
"My knife is back in my sheath and if you try that again I'm painting my spire orange." I hissed in her ear as Father approached, and the guilty look gave her away.
"I'm sorry I- "
"In the past Mother, but don't do it again," I said, and she nodded, giving me a relieved look.
"Hello my beautiful girls." Father sat across from us, grabbing our hands in his and smiling fakely, "Plans have changed-the strategy meeting will take place tonight over dinner."
"Strategy? Hellscream doesn't return for another week!" I exclaimed, and that's when I noticed that he was tapping out on our hands.
'H-E_I-S_H-O-M-E_E-A-R-L-Y'
Mother went dead still beside me, her breathing harsh
"You mean-"
"Vol'jin wants the forces moving in two days from now at sunrise-I suggest going through the forces and talking now, Jadearra. Start spreading the blessings. The human boy will be coming along with you, I imagine," He said, his tone icier towards the end, and I sent a wary look Mother's way, and she wasn't looking at me, and I realized that Father was elaborating for her.
"I will be going now, then. I love you," I said, standing and breaking the connection, walking away from the hut as the tapping turned into hushed voices.
Anduin was walking away from Jaina and Varian, looking much angrier than I expected.
"Are you going to talk to the units?" I asked, and he nodded harshly, not looking at me.
What happened?
"Princeling-" I started softly, but he shook his head, and I realized he was about a second from beating something.
"I'm fine." He snarled, and I jerked back like he had hit me, startled.
We walked in silence for a while; scanning for which unit we wanted to speak to first, when he finally crumbled.
"They're trying to marry me off."
I stopped, looking at him with eyes wide as saucers, "Pardon?"
"They-they have decided that it's time I get married and start working on producing heirs. They want me to marry Jaina's daughter." Anduin said, his voice heavy laden with emotion.
"Oh…is she nice?" I asked, trying to make a little light out of something that made me feel gutted.
"I've never met her!" he exclaimed, and I eyed him.
He seemed to realize his mood, and calmed considerably, "Sorry, just-"
"Stressed?" I supplied for him, and he nodded weakly, smiling a little.
"Don't worry Princeling, I'm sure it'll be okay," I lied through my teeth, and he knew it, but he still appreciated the sentiment.
We came upon the dwarven unit, reeking havoc throughout their own camp, and I rolled my eyes.
Dwarves are short, stout people who seemed to keep their meals in their beards, and their thoughts never remained in their heads for more than a moment.
"Well…let's go."
Strategy meetings over dinner made for a tense meal.
We sat in the circle as per usual, but there was a tension there that set us all apart, faction-by-faction.
"We have four assault points we want ta take," Vol'jin said, looking through his piles of parchment, "By air, by da Azshara gates, by da bay, and through Raza Hill."
"My rangers can drop in by air." Vereesa and Sylvanas said in sync, before glaring at each other.
Those two infuriated me, sisters that actually lived and hated each other.
"Halduron can lead in the Silvermoon rangers as well," Father said, and I bit back a retort-Halduron is a pig.
"So we have three ranga units dat can drop in-all have mounts I assume?" Vol'jin asked, and the three leaders confirmed.
"The air is cova'd den. Baine and I will lead our forces through Raza Hill, and take da front approach."
"My sentinels will help break the blockade, we can bring in siege machines through Ashenvale," Tyrande said, and Vol'jin scribbled.
"I will personally lead the attack at the bay," Sylvanas volunteered.
"I will lead alongside her," Father said quickly after.
"Like hell it'll be all Horde down there. Jaina and I will go," Varian said, and I growled low.
"The Gilnean unit can take the Azshara gate-reinforcements can come south from Darnassus," Genn Greymane said.
Vol'jin was scratching this out on parchment, when a flicker of vision caught me off guard.
Kalimdor is rich with dead.
We are ready when you call, Mist speaker.
"Jadearra?"
I blinked, focusing back in on the meeting, and I realized that a light mist was rolling through the camp.
"Kalimdor is rich with dead. They are ready," I said, strength filling my veins.
Commanding the dead in battle is an honor that not many mist speakers ever get.
The meeting continued, and soon we were ready.
One more day of tension, and then War.
