Chapter 7
Always the Last to Know
Varian stood in the silent depths of the Cathedral of Light. He had been warned not to touch Fox's body. Still he could not help but hold her hand in his. The decision had been made to purify her to ash by holy flame. This was the last time he would see her face. The white skin lacked any of the glow she had held in life.
"Your Majesty." Shaw spoke up softly. Knowing that someone had to take the hard route of encouraging the King to be gone.
"In a moment Shaw." Varian's voice trembled as he set Fox's hand on her chest. "Just give me one more moment."
Sheylann was pacing behind them. Seemingly anxious to see the deed complete. Goya had been selected by the Order of Light to officiate considering her involvement. The golden haired paladin stood quietly. Watching as Sheylann cast another long stare at Shaw.
"King Wyrnn, I am sorry, but Sheylann and Goya need to commence their duty in purifying the body. For the sake of Stormwind, please, let her go." Mathias whispered with an edge of urgency.
Varian nodded slowly. Turning to head out through the tight doorway. The sound of his royal guard fading signaled his departure.
Shaw cast his attention to Sheylann. The dark look he set on her was full of indignation. "What the hell were you thinking, Shey? Those children are traumatized for life. Reports have it that Prince Anduin is considering giving up his Priesthood. I don't have to tell you the amount of pain the King is in."
"We had no choice. I saw a golden opportunity, and I took it. Thank you, Orb of Deception."Sheylann shrugged unperturbed as she patted the bag at her side. "The Nobles wanted eye witnesses, I told you they would have them. There really isn't any time to sugar coat all of this for you, Mathias." Turning to the Paladin, she commanded, "Goya, bubble me in case the poison backlashes. I never got a chance to perfect it."
Shaw felt his mouth drop open as he realized what she was saying. "You made this monstrosity?"
"Who else would come up with such a potent punch in a tiny dose? The Forsaken? Please, there are things in the dream that make their reagents mere child's play." Sheylann's hands came before her face and her fingers called on the spirits of nature.
"By the Light you can revive her?" Shaw felt hope blossom in his chest.
Goya cast her sacred shield on the Druid, "Sheylann, called me in early this morning, by way of a warlock summon. So do not been worried anyone is going to talk. She explained the situation in great detail. I am honor bound to help. The poison she has only reacts to the powers of Light. You don't think she is fool enough to create a toxin that could destroy herself?"
The wind swirled in the room as translucent leaves appeared glowing brighter around Fox's body. Sheylann straining in her efforts to call Fox's spirit back to her form.
"I hope King Wyrnn did not cost us to much time in his mourning of her. Resurrection is hard enough without adding in the timing factors. If we have waited to long, then this entire gambit will have been for nothing." Goya pressed her hands together, and lifted them to her lips. "It's not looking good."
Shaw was not much of a praying man. He had spent more time cursing at fate. Clenching his fists he called, "Damn you Fox! I order you to wake up. That is an order, you hear me Agent. Get up, your Kingdom still needs you."
The shimmering green light radiated out of Fox's form even brighter. The brown eyes bolting open as her gasp heralded in her reclaimed life. Then the pained sound of her coughing as her lungs began to work.
Sheylann dropping to the floor weak from her efforts. She rested on her hip. The long slender arms supporting her from collapsing completely.
Shaw rushed to his woman's side, and threw his arms around her, "Shey, you crazy, insane, demon of destruction. By the Light, I love you!"
Sheylann leaned on him heavily and smiled. Raising a hand to pat his cheek with tenderness. "Take it back, Shaw. We both know love is for children and fools."
"Then I am a blasted fool, because I will never stop loving you after this." Shaw squeezed her tighter. Burying his face in her hair.
Goya rolled her eyes at the display of affection. She made her way to Fox and rested a hand on her arm, "Welcome back to the land of the living. Rogue."
Fox groaned as a headache set in. She was alive, but barely.
"Is it safe for me to toss her a healing spell?" Goya turned to look down at the couple on the floor.
Sheylann nodded, "I negated the poison, before we brought her down here. I couldn't take the chance of anyone getting in contact with it. That reminds me." Sheylann reached into her pocket, and pulled a vial of green liquid. "It was always meant to be a gift for you, Shaw. When you see Winchester remind him that you now have this stuff at your disposal. If they ever try to back you in a corner again, he will be the first one we will come for."
Shaw leaned away from the vial. Putting a hand up in open refusal. "I think I will leave it in your capable hands."
"Coward." Sheylann gave a light laugh.
"I'd call it prudence." Shaw countered.
Goya finished up her healing of Fox. Feeling much better Fox sat up under her own power, "What happened?" She studied each person in the room.
"Sheylann and I faked your death. This way you can leave Stormwind alive." Goya crossed her arms over her chest. "And you had better disappear so that no one ever finds you. Because if King Wyrnn learns out that the SI-7, Order of Light, and a member of the Cenarion Circle have betrayed him, all hell will break loose."
Fox put her hands to her still aching head. "What? Who are you?"
Sheylann pushed to her feet. "Let me put this as simply as I can. We saved your life, but in return you have to leave Stormwind, and the Eastern Kingdoms, and never return. Cut all ties with everyone. No family, no old Gryphon companion, and certainly no High King play toy."
Shaw rose next to Sheylann, "She's right. It's the only way to keep you and your family alive, Fox. We can deal with the Nobles at some later date. But in the end, King Wyrnn has been duped. He will not take kindly to any of it if he ever finds out. So that can't happen."
Fox stared out blankly in consideration of what they said. What was really to think about? She had already accepted her death, but that was easier then living and losing everything she had ever known. "What about my position in the SI-7?" She looked to Shaw.
"Gone. You will be marked as a war hero. Since you technically died protecting his Majesty from an assassination attempt." Shaw moved to her, and knelt down. "I am very sorry, but it's better then I had hope for."
"So I really am dead?" She whispered. Reality starting to weigh in.
"For all intents and purposes, yes."
Goya slapped her hands together, "Okay some one hand me a broom. I am going to sweep up some of this dirt, and put it in one of the urns. Sheylann said the Nobles wanted a body, and they are going to get one."
Fox choked as a hand came to her throat. "You are going to use dirt as a stand in for my ashes?"
"You want me to use the real thing?" Goya raised an eye brow. Not liking the fact this rogue wasn't weeping with outright gratitude to her suggestion.
"Tell her no, Fox. That Paladin isn't amusing when she's mad." Sheylann interjected. Turning her attention to Mathias, she added, "Shaw, take Goya with you to see Winchester. They will believe her over me. I am certain, they do not know there is a connection. I already secured Fox passage to Kalimdor. So I aim to see her off before the dawn. No use taking any chances getting caught at this point."
Fox stepped off the stone pedestal. This was happening so fast. She was used to her brain working much faster. But considering that she had just revived from death, it could be forgiven, right? She watched as Sheylann transformed into a panther. That connection Fox made. This was a stealth mission. All she had to do was follow Sheylann to what ever escape the Druid had planned.
They left Shaw and Goya behind, slipping silently up the stairs, and through the Cathedral. Fox moving to avoid the center of the room. Feeling somewhat superstitious about the spot where she had actually died before.
Sheylann curved around the side of the main Cathedral making sure to stay out of the light of the lanterns. But the panther slowed, and suddenly back tracked. Fox watched her confused. Looking up to see the royal guard standing like statures within the stone confines of the cemetery. A hand rose to Fox's chest in a tight fist. Only one thought in her mind. To see her King at least one last time before disappearing.
She moved deeper into the cemetery. Sheylann turned sprinting after her. The wild hopping from side to side of the cat, made it easy to tell that Sheylann was not approving of this course of action. Still Fox ignored her. Until she came to stand just close enough to see Varian kneeling before Tiffin Ellerian Wyrnn's tomb. That sight stopped her cold.
It was heart breaking. Varian had his arms resting on the stone. Clearly in deep conversation and immense mourning.
Fox slipped closer, but then there was a slight tug on her heel. Sheylann's mouth clamped down pulling Fox back by her boot. The Rogue shaking herself free, with a light kick. The two stopping their struggles as the King's voice reached them.
"Tiffin, love, you were the sun of my life." Varian's voice was shaking. "It has been so hard since you left me. Not a day goes by that I do not think of you."
Fox felt tears coming to her eyes at his words. The ache filling her heart. She wanted to burst from the darkness that enshrouded her just to hold him.
"I was a fool, Tiffin. For some reason I thought I could be happy, but now I know that's not possible. First, I lost my Father, in the ashes of our Kingdom. Then you were taken from me. I never thought there would be anyone else. I was scared to tempt fate for so long, and I was right to fear it. Tiffin, if you were my sun, then my Fox was my moon. She was a light in the darkness you left me with. I made a mistake. I loved her, and now she is gone because of it. I should never have allowed her so close to my side." He dropped his head to the stone. "I am not destined for love other then that of our Kingdom. I see this now. I am completely utterly cursed to suffer. How has Anduin survived this long? My only guess is the Light has a purpose for him so great even my corrupted heart isn't enough to destroy him."
Fox realized that there were tears rolling down her face. She reached up to wipe them away. He was blaming himself for her death. That wasn't true! If her family was not imperil she would never allow this pain to come to him. Damn fate, and damn the over powered Nobles. May the Light grant Mathias Shaw the ability to end them.
Sheylann moved in a circle around Fox's legs. Pressing her back the way they had come. The druid growing more insistent in each massing moment.
Fox nodded. She turned from Varian. He was in so much pain, and she was the cause of it. Never again would she do something this incredibly stupid.
Sheylann led her down to the dock and then to Fox's utter horror right on to the Storm Seeker. Sheylann finally unsteathing as she ran across the deck to Jacen Stormblight. Coming out of her panther form and returning to the Night Elf body. "Fox, say hello to the Captain of the Storm Seeker, and the man who will be saving your ass."
"Where is your father, Jacen?" Fox asked in a cautious tone.
Jacen took off his hat, and looked to Stormwind, "He is where a good friend should be. Consoling your father over the loss of his daughter. I will be making this run for him, and no one will be the wiser. Lady Sheylann." Jacen nodded directing his attention to the Druid. "Is everything ready? My men are eager to set sail, and with the special cargo aboard I want to make way before anyone is the wiser."
"Yes, Captain. You have my thanks. I owe you a debt, and for me that is a very rare thing. Do not fail me, or the cost will be high." Sheylann warned.
"I understand." Jacen watched as Sheylann shifted into her bird form and took to the sky. Bowing low to Fox he said softly, "My condolences for your loss, Eloise. I knew Fox was dear to you."
Fox closed her eyes and sighed, "Yes she was."
"If you are ready, I will show you to your cabin. I do not think it's wise to remain on deck until we are far out to sea, and Stormwind is a mere memory behind you."
O0O0O0O0O0O0O0
Three days were gone since that dark day in the Cathedral Square. Varian was hardly conscious of the passage of time. Sleep came when it willed. There was no way to summon it on his own. The restless slumber no longer held any dreams. Worse it did nothing to relieve his fatigue.
Few reports were important enough to reach him. One of the most pressing was that Anduin was refusing to return to the Cathedral of Light. The boy was becoming rather fixated on the idea of never healing another living being again. Somehow blaming himself for Fox's death by triggering the poison. The very idea was just another fracture to Varian's heart.
Greymane had continued to handle all the affairs of the Kingdom. Sending outlined reports to Varian nightly. The elder King the one bright spot in the entire mess.
It was on this third morning Varian ventured into the the throne room. He had only come because the Archmage Khadgar was arriving with pressing information. It was about the situation with the Iron Horde. Varian had no doubt that Maraad was doing his best and the Alliance would soon be engaging.
"Your Majesty?" One of the royal clerks came forward. "I hate to bother you, but the family of Eloise Fulbright has arrived again today. We had to turn them away for the last two days. Are you willing to see them now?"
Varian scowled at the man. He did not want to be bothered by anyone. Even the timid tone of the clerk's voice grated on his nerves. He wasn't in a mood to be kind, "Who the hell is Eloise Fulbright?"
The man paled, as if Varian had just asked him who Garrosh Hellscream was. "She, er, that is to say..."
"Just spit it out!" Varian snapped reaching up to rub his forehead.
"She is a guard who died recently in combat with hostile forces. You are expected to extend your condolences and bestow honors at her passing to her parents." The man said as swiftly as he could, taking a step back.
"Lots of good Alliance soldiers die every day. Tell them to go away, and I will send them documentation and reward suitable to her service when I have more time." Varian didn't want to deal with this kind of affair. He was still heart sick over Fox's loss.
"As you wish your Majesty."
Varian sat down on the throne and stared blindly at the stone wall. Fox's voice ringing in his head with Genn's about the warmth of wood. He closed his eyes and whispered, "Stone doesn't burn." When he opened his eyes he saw Shaw striding toward him. Heaving a huge sigh he rose. "Shaw. I would say it's good to see you, but under the circumstances, I don't feel it's in order."
"No. But this is." Shaw hauled back and let his fist fly right into the King's chin.
Varian fell back to the throne. The strike had come completely unexpected, and with much more force then the rogue should have possessed.
The guards seizing Mathias Shaw as he moved to attack the King a second time, "You worthless son of a bitch!" Shaw yelled as he tried to break free, "How could you do this to them? To Fox's memory? I don't care if I am sentenced to die. It will be worth it just to knock your arrogant expression right off your face!"
Varian stared at the Master Rogue as if he had gone mad. "What in the nether are you talking about?" He came back to his feet, "How did I dishonor Fox's memory? Can You tell me that?"
"You just sent her family away in shame!" Shaw roared as he pointed toward the entrance. "Those are her parents that showed up these past three days. They are over come with grief at her loss. She died for you, and this is how you repay her sacrifice?"
"Her parents?" Varian felt his eyes widen as they were drawn to the doors.
"By the Light, King Wyrnn! Don't tell me you haven't read the report I sent you yet? Fox is Eloise Fulbright! You just sent her family out of the keep for good without seeing them." Shaw went slack in the guardsman's arms.
"Call them back!" Varian shouted at the guard holding Shaw. "Bring them to one of the counsel chambers. I want tea and refreshments brought in immediately. Make them as comfortable as you can." Then turning to Shaw, "I am sorry. I did not read the report. It's not an excuse, but I have been," Varian looked away not wanting to see the accusation in Shaw's eyes. "consumed with grief."
"You are not the only one, my King. There are many who loved Fox. The SI-7 is still a hollow shell trying to get through our daily duties. If you think you are suffering, imagine how the Fulbrights feel. They never even knew that Fox was an Agent until I arrived to inform them of her death."
It was during Shaw's speech Khadgar had entered the throne room. Coming before the two he scanned the tense scene. "Is this a bad time, King Wyrnn? Because I will be honest, you have no time for such a luxury."
"Khadgar, I know your business about the Iron Horde is pressing. But I have to take a moment to speak with some very important people." Varian tried to explain to the Archmage.
"Who could be so important as to warrant your attention over my reports?" Khadgar turned seeing the couple coming forward. The woman he hardly noticed. It was the man clinging to a crutch that caused him to pale. "By the Light, Myles Fulbright?"
Myles looked up from the stone floor, "Archmage Khadgar? Have they already informed you?"
Khadgar turned to pin his attention on Varian, "So you found her, didn't you?"
Varian was to confused for words, but Shaw wasn't, "Found who?"
"Eloise Lothar."
Author Note: And the secret is out! Remember to Follow, Fav and please review!