Chapter 35
New Friends, Bad Connections
Halduron walked his empty cup into the kitchen. Braelyn had just finished putting everything away. She closed the cabinet door, and turned to look over her shoulder at him.
"I told you not to come in here." A deep sigh of disappointment as she shook her head at him.
"The tea cup." He held it up to her for a moment and set it soundly on the counter. "I was just returning it."
"Really?" Braelyn turned to face him. "Then you would not mind leaving now that you have."
Halduron smiled over at her. "Now isn't this a new side of you?"
Braelyn could not place it, but there was something in that statement that raised a red flag for her. "What are you talking about?"
"The take charge Miss Hawke. You are even being a bit, dare I say it, bossy?" Halduron waved for her to follow him to the living room. "Leave the kitchen now. Everything is off the floor and a few dishes never killed anyone."
Braelyn thought of taking one of the pans and braining him with it for calling her bossy, but offering to leave dirty dishes saved his life. She nodded and they made their way into the living area. She lifted the pillow before taking the seat. Pulling the large fluffy mass into a tight hug. It felt good to sit down after a long day surveying the landscape around Stromgarde. Then learning a few Ranger moves, none of which she thought she could ever master to the level Halduron had displayed them for her. Braelyn had not expected to return to a small scale war between the Alliance and Horde in her own temporary home away from home.
"I am not bossy." She told him again. The chin dropping on her pillow.
"You are right." Halduron pulled his chair closer. A slow smile on his lips, and a content relaxed look in his eyes. A gentle hand moving out to touch her cheek. "More like a take charge and throw Halduron out of the kitchen kind of thing instead."
"That is just a long version of saying I am bossy again." Braelyn reached over and slapped his arm.
Before she could pull away, he locked his fingers around her wrist, and pulled Braelyn over him. "I am saying that I find all this assertiveness extremely sexy."
Braelyn could not tell if it was Goldenleaf's potion or Haldurons sudden revelation that left her weak. All she knew was that one minute she had been hugging an over stuffed pillow, and now she was futility trying to find a safe spot to put her hands so that she could sit back up.
Halduron's other hands locked on her free wrist and moved down to let his lips ever so gently touch to Braelyn's for a brief moment. He lifted his head to stare up at her. "You know, I have always loved the color of your eyes, brighter then the bluest sapphires, I have ever seen."
"Halduron." Braelyn trembled and tried to slip off his lap. "What about your loyalty to Rommath."
He looked into the darkness of the room for a moment then back to Braelyn. "Screw Rommath. I saw you first anyway." And then his mouth locked on hers again.
Braelyn would have pushed away, or beat on his chest to try and get up. There was no realm of reality that Halduron would betray Rommath so openly. He had always been the most loyal of friends. She groped around in her mind trying to ward off his seductive pursuit as to why he was doing this. The potion, that had to be the cause. She pulled her head back, but his kisses merely rained down on her neck, sending an electrifying tingling sensation through her body. "Halduron this isn't you. Stop. Stop now." She moaned out in tiny breaths. There she went. Going to mush for a Blood Elf again. Damn it.
The sound brought her own eyes wide. First Rommath, then Lor'themar, and now Halduron had kissed her, and she reacted. Pyrasong was right! She did have a carnal weakness for Blood Elves! The realization causing her to lurch backwards arms flailing. The action toppling her and Halduron on to the floor in an impassioned tangle of arms and legs.
"Halduron, no! Stop. Cease!" She struggled backwards. Brealyn rose her hands to press against his shoulders. "Desist, man!"
It was that moment, a sleepy Pyrasong wandered down the stairs to get a drink of water. The half opened eyes catching the movement. Then Braelyn's words forming a picture in her mind. A bad one, because to Pyrasong it looked like Halduron was forcing himself on the little Human. She did not hesitate. Jumping the railing and landing near the two she let loose an empowered blow to the side of Halduron's head. She cringed as her beloved leader bounced like a skipping stone across the floor.
Braelyn came up to a sitting position. Wondering what had just happened. A hand pulling back up the neckline of her shirt. Then turning blue eyes on Pyrasong. The Paladin glowing in a golden light of indignation rage. "Pyrasong?"
She dropped to take hold of Braelyn's shoulders. "I am so sorry! How can I ever make it up to you for the horrible things I said to you." Tears streaming down her cheeks. "I never thought that Lord Brightwing was capable of this type of action. I would never have left you alone with him if I had known."
Oh crap. Braelyn knew that this entire mess was all her fault. Wait, check that. Goldenleaf did deserve some of this burden, but he wasn't here right now. Braelyn did not want to deal with the rage Pyrasong would direct at her if the paladin figured out that Halduron was drugged into his actions. Biting her lip, Braelyn bent her moral code, then and there. Deciding that neither Blood Elf would ever find out about the potion. "It's fine."
Halduron groaned on the floor signaling that he was still alive. Pyrasong narrowed her eyes on him as she pulled Braelyn up. Furious at what she had seen. "Come. We will go lock ourselves in your room until morning. Then, maybe Halduron can explain himself properly and make his apologies and restitution for his actions."
There was no arguing as Braelyn was dragged up the stairs. Spending the night in the tight embrace of one over protective Paladin.
O0O0O0O0O0O0
Varian had left Stormwind early in the morning. The sun had not even stained the sky with a bit of light. He had to get to Stromgarde as quickly as possible. Word had reached Stormwind that Rygen Stonehorn had arrived in Arathi Highlands, with Boani, Zak'sora, and an Orc by the name Tharath. They had remained at Hammerfall waiting word from Lady Lothar before approaching Stromgarde.
Fox had given Varian one hell of a huge argument. She wanted to go to Stromgarde and greet her friends, and deal with that certain Orc, personally.
Varian had remained calm and reminded her that he was perfectly capable to handling the situation. That was why she had asked him to do this job, after all.
Fox sat on the throne resting her chin on the palms of her hands. Everyone was requesting to speak with Anduin. She knew he was much better at the subjects being brought forward. Truth was, he was doing an outstanding job and there was not much that she could do at this time. A sigh brought her up. She wandered around the room until she noticed movement in the main office. She started toward the door when a familiar voice caught her attention.
"Lady Regent!" Shaw came to her side with a devious smile on his lips. Coming close he whispered for her ears alone, "Or should I say, Greetings, Queen Wyrnn."
"How do you know that?" Fox grabbed his arm and pulled him close to the wall.
Shaw laughed, "Who had Goya kill you?"
Fox shook her head, and dropped a hand to Shaw's shoulder. The fingers drumming for only a moment in thought. "Sheylann."
"She is more then just gloriously beautiful and powerful beyond all understanding. My woman astounds me with her knowledge." Shaw got a far off look on his face. A heavenly smirk of contentment that just creeped Fox out to no end.
"And where does she get her intelligence? Have you asked yourself that?" Fox narrowed her eyes on Shaw.
He looked Fox right in the eyes and said, "The flora and fauna of Azeroth itself communes with her. At least that is what I tell myself, but in this case Goya informed her before leaving for Pandaria. Don't worry, we are the only ones who know. Sheylann made me pry the information out of her in the most pleasant of ways." A sly wink, made Fox wish he had not imparted that image to her mind.
"I am glad you are hear. I was about to see who is in the main office." Fox took the few steps over and opened the door to see Lord Bascomb happily affixing the Stormwind seal on several documents. "Excuse me, Lord Bascomb, what are you about?"
"Ah! Lady Regent, come in. I was expecting you." He looked up from his place, behind Varian's desk. He was not the least bit uncomfortable at being caught with the Royal Seal in hand, as he dipped it in more ink. "I was merely finishing up some of the work, his Majesty King Wyrnn, and I had been doing. I am still sending some supplies to Darkshire and Ravenhill. Sadly, Westfall is in greater need at this time. I hear that Anduin is discussing the current situation in Red Ridge?'
"Yes. He is talking with the runner from Red Ridge at this very moment." Fox motioned to Shaw and then to the desk. "If you wouldn't mind, Spy Master, having a look over the papers Lord Bascomb is sealing ever so diligently."
Shaw stalked over, and rudely grabbed the first handful he got his grasp on. Scanning them as he turned away.
"What is the meaning of this, Lady Regent?" Lord Bascomb blustered at the action. Turning a deep shade of red at the interference. "I have already assured you as to my humanitarian efforts. You can not fault me for trying to help the poor, sick, and others in genuine need through out our Kingdom?"
"No, but I am of the mind that there should be more fingers in this pot. We can't just allow these kinds of actions going on with out being investigated. Some one needs to make sure this help is going where it is most needed." Shaw nodded over at the furious Lord. Then looking up at Fox with a quick nod. "These look like standard issue, Lady Regent Lothar. There are quite a lot of them, and some are multiple copies. I had no idea things were still so bad outside Stormwind."
"When we live in the bread basket of the Kingdom, the plight of others grow dim to our eyes and ears. I have made it my life's work to hear their cries, and answer." Lord Bascomb and sat up right.
"Very well, please excuse our intrusion and carry on." Fox beckoned for Shaw to follow her out of the room.
Shaw slapped the papers down on the desk and gave a curt nod of his head. Following Fox out and shutting the thick wooden door. "Are you sure about this? There were plenty more documents he was just stamping that I had not even glanced at."
"Oh, you are going to look them all over eventually. You are also going to get some agents over to the document retrieval. I want every single one of his previous 'humanitarian efforts' looked up and verified. Not so much as a cough drop that has left Stormwind should not be accounted for." Fox wrung her hands.
Shaw noticed it. "You have a bad feeling about his activities, don't you?"
"Is it that obvious?" She wiped a hand over her face. Looking to see Anduin finishing up with the Red Ridge Runner. It was still to soon to worry Prince Anduin with such worrisome thoughts.
Shaw nodded and sighed, "I will have to pull men out of the field for this."
"Shaw, Lord Remington has informed me that he is dying. Have someone look into that. I know you have a file on the younger Lord Remington and Lord Winchester. I want them brought around within the hour. I will be calling them to court tomorrow. With King Wyrnn and Greymane out of Stormwind, and Anduin up to his neck in mundane affairs of state, this is our chance to set this Noble situation on it's ear."
Shaw went stiff and looked questioningly at her. "Are you sure you want to poke that hive in your present condition. They have always reacted badly to any action we take, against them or not."
"We may not get this chance again." Fox nodded with a grim determination. She was not about to sit back when she could do some good here. Stromgarde might be out of her control, but Stormwind was not. "Varian is quite sure they will not strike at me because of my position as the last Arathi. Plus Varian would unmake the world if anything happened to the baby. Who would take that chance?"
"Stormwind Nobles come to mind. They are not the most balanced representatives of humanity we have." Shaw warned her openly. "But we have worked together so long I will trust you. Just make sure that you do not become a target."
"I was always a target to the Nobles of Azeroth, not just Stormwind. Even from the time of my birth." Fox reminded him of her birthright. "That is why Lady Manston kept me a secret isn't it?"
O0O0O0O0O0O
"Ya not be da Crimson Fox." Zak'sora said in broken common. The Troll Shamen pinning his eyes on Varian Wyrnn standing next to the throne in Stromgarde.
Boani looked with pride at her husband. He had been working hard to learn the other language, and his efforts had just paid off. She turned her eyes up to the Alliance's High King waiting his reaction.
"Fox is indisposed in Stormwind." Varian looked out at the two Trolls, Tauren, and Orc. "She has sent me to establish things here. I know she called you for not only your skill, but because she trusts you. For that I will extent that faith to you as well."
"Care to answer as to why Fox can not meet with us?" Rygen's fingers twitched, aching to go to the two handed mace on his back.
"It is no longer a secret within Stormwind, so it might not as well be here. The Lady Lothar is expecting my child. I do not think that Stromgarde is in any condition at the moment to safely contain her. However with your aid and assurances, that can be rectified" Varian informed the group.
Rygen looked over at Boani in stunned silence. Then both Paladin and Mage reached for the cloak of Zak'sora. Should he decide to attack the High King at the news.
It was a useless motion. Zak'sora rocked in shock for a moment and then knelt down. The sound of his crying echoing. "My ugly little Troll baby is going ta have a child? I never be believin I can be so happy."
Boani dropped her hold on his cloak and patted his shoulder. "Ya not be playing wit us, are ya? I thought ya be angry wit such a thought."
"Na, my love. I could be wishin for a bettah father for it." Zak'sora did not look up to Varian despite the insult. "But ya be tellin me what news be greater den dis? I am gonna be a grandfather!"
Varian reared back at this very idea. Images of presents of shrunken heads and terrifying masks during the coming birthdays and holidays filling his mind. Shaking off the visions, he went back to the dilemma at hand. "This being said, Stromgarde is vastly over crowded. Before I left Stormwind, Lady Lothar expressed that she wished you to stay in the keep, until properly housed. You will be meeting with an architect to see the plan for the city. Then taken out to pick the exact location of your permanent homes. Upon completion the house and land will be gifted to you by Lady Lothar, as established residences for the Emissary of your race within Stromgarde's walls." Varian looked over at the nervous Orc. "Tharath, she included you in this as well. But she wanted me to warn you, if you bring so much as one slave into her city she will gut you like a fish. Her words, not mine. I thought of so much quicker ways to dispense with you."
Tharath pounded his hand to his chest. "I have already given up all my worldly possessions, besides what I can carry with me. I realize what my actions were, and since meeting my Lady Lothar have devoted myself to finding and serving her."
"What he be sayin, is da fool, Orc be fallin in love wit da Lady." Zak'sora snarled over at the green Orc. "Although I find em to be unworthy for me Baby, as much as da current choice of mate."
"I care nothing for your words, Troll! My honor is in my duty to Lady Lothar, and the Horde." Tharath shot back.
Varian looked over at the Orc with distrust. Then sighed deeply. "I will call for the Architect to meet with you this evening. You can go over the plans after dinner. A feast is being prepared for all the intended Emissaries that are in attendance so that you may meet."
"I hear that Halduron of Silvermoon is here. Will he be moving to Stromgarde as well?" Rygen asked openly.
"No. he is merely here to aid a little Blood Elf Paladin by the name of Pyrasong." Varian told them. "I am sure if you ask one of the guards, they will be able to locate her for you."
"A Paladin?" Rygen nodded. Eager to meet one of his own mind that he could communicate about the situation with.
O0O0O0O0O0O0O0
Chelinka and Goldenleaf walked with their food down the new stone walkways through Stromgarde. The Mage raising a bun to her mouth. "I have to say, the new cooks they have here are amazing. Not one meal has been over cooked or under spiced."
"Pandarian training is marked all over these." Goldenleaf nodded in agreement. He held out the bun to admire the perfect shape it displayed. Looking down the road he stopped. A hand grabbing Chelinka to halt her progress. "Careful Mutton on the road. We wouldn't want to offend her."
Chelinka blinked up at Goldenleaf, half a sweet bun hanging out of her mouth. Then looked to where he indicated, to see Pyrasong moving toward them. She reached up and pulled off a bite angerily. Swallowing just in time to greet the Blood Elf with. "Fancy seeing you here. Should we step aside from you, in case we offend you superior sensibility with our crude barbarianism?"
"I was actually coming to find you to apologize, and ask that you allow Braelyn to take up residence with us in the barracks room?" The Paladin rolled her eyes and looked off to her left.
"No." Chelinka shook her head.
Goldenleaf shrugged. "Well, you heard her. Carry on being better then us. We are on our way to see how the new housing is coming."
Pyrasong gasped at the two. She stepped before them, but Chelinka just blinked around her. "I am asking you to help one of your own, and you refused? This is why we left the Alliance. The selfishness that you display and the lack of caring at every turn. Is it any wonder those of my kind feel as if we are on a higher level of enlightenment?"
"Enlighten this, Braelyn wanted to be in that cottage. She has bragged to me how much she likes that place. If Lord Flashy Pant Brightwing is bothering her, its her problem. I am crowded enough in there as it is. Maybe, since you are a Paladin you are used to the grand sacrifice of doing without for your Order, but I am a Mage. We like things. Silvermoon is full of Mages, terrible Mages like Rommath, but still Mages, who also like things. I would have thought you would be use to it by now."
"Rommath is not a terrible Mage!" Pyrasong snapped back. She curbed her tongue and tried to calm her anger. She was in the wrong here. She had said terribly nasty things to Chelinka, and the Mage was angry. Rightfully so. Now was the time to be apologetic, and not instigate more ill will between them. "Although last night I learned that maybe we are not as perfect as I have been lead to believe. That is why Braelyn needs out of that cottage."
Chelinka looked to Goldenleaf and then to Pyrasong. "What happened last night?"
Pyrasong blushed. "I don't think I should say."
"You had better spill, Pally girl." Goldeneleaf growled down at her. "Because if it is bad enough you want Braelyn out of the cottage, it's something I need to know."
"Halduron seems to have a bit of a crush on Braelyn." Pyrasong looked down to her feet. Shifting from one to the other in her nervousness.
Goldenleaf growled and started stalking toward the cottage. "I'm going to toss him through a window."
"Goldenleaf!" Chelinka shouted in an attempt to stop him. Rushing off without all the facts could just leave them looking more like Alliance ass hats.
"You are right. A door, it will hurt more." The Night Elf kept moving.
A patch of ice formed before him, as Chelinka swept her hand. Goldenleaf slipped and tried to right himself. A small moment of success before going down in a heap. Chelinka looking over at Pyrasong. "What did you see?"
"Halduron was kissing Braelyn on the living room floor." A pinker then normal blush rising to her cheeks.
"And Braelyn was...?" Chelinka waved her fingers trying to pry more information out of Pyrasong. "Kissing him back like the sexual depraved monsters we Humans are?"
"No. She was telling him to stop and he wasn't listening?"
"Who was assaulting who?" The low sound of a clearly Tauren's voice cut in.
Goldenleaf looking up and paled. "Holy Cow!"
Chelinka and Pyrasong looking over to see the massive Rygen Stonehorn with his party behind him. Chelinka looking over at Goldenleaf and sliding a hand slicing motion over her throat and mouthing "Shut up!"
"What? He's carrying a shield, and I am hoping he's no tank, cause Da-hammmm, he's big." Goldenleaf came to his feet and jumped off the ice.
"What matters is I am a Paladin, and I can not let any wrong go unpunished." Rygen narrowed his eyes. "now tell me what you know, Little Blood Elf. Because I am about to put this to rights."
"Blood and Honor!" Tharath shouted as he clenched his hand into a fist. "And here I thought Stromgarde might be a little to boring. This is starting to feel like home already."
"Wait so you are willing to beat the crap out of a Blood Elf for assaulting a Human?" Chelinka blinked.
Goldenleaf looked like a child at Christmas as he whispered, "Best Day Ever!"
O0O0O0O0O0O0O0
Lord Bascomb moved down to the dock pulling his cloak closer to him. He saw the dark figure standing there waiting in silence.
Damiana moved off the boat. "Well, I got her for you. Although I have no idea why you wanted me to use a ship instead of a portal."
"The same reason King Wyrnn brought that bitch to Stormwind via ship instead of porting her win with Lady Proudmoore." Lord Bascomb shook his head. "You really are to short sighted and impetuous."
"I would watch you tone. Remember, I don't work for you, I am working with you. That can be rectified with a few words." Damiana snarled with a warning in her tone that said she meant what she was saying.
Bascomb hated to admit she was right. The Shadow Priestess was strong with her powers, that is why he had agreed to allow her to aid him in getting rid of Lady Lothar. But Bascomb was not a fool. Back up plans had to be made, and this was one of them. "Where is she?"
"Like I know, probably primping some more in front of her mirror. I told her, we had docked half an hour ago." Damiana shook her head hard. "She had better hurry up. It's cold out here tonight, and I want to get out of it."
As if conjured by the words, a tall thin form appeared and moved down the ramp of the ship. "Lord Bascomb, after all these years of corresponding it is nice to meet you in person."
"High Priestess Astarii, Stormwind welcomes you." He smiled up at the vision of Night Elf loveliness. Yes, soon they would have everything in place. It was only a matter of time before everything was back as it should be. His life had been so very good with out the name of Lothar in it. It was time to turn back the clock. With one less Rogue meddling in his business.