Chapter 37
Beginning of the End
"Velen has summoned me to the Exodar." Anduin did not bother keeping the issue to himself. This was Fox and not his father. She was far more lenient with him and his concerns. The concerned look on his face made Fox lift her head up to stare over the dining table at him.
"Did he say why?" The thought of losing Anduin's control over Stormwind made Fox almost nauseous. Then again it could be the food. It looked wonderful, but the smell was getting to her. One of her new found joys that went with her pregnancy.
Anduin pulled his chair closer to Fox. The concern on his face was clear. He was worried to leave her alone. "That's just it. He really didn't say what he wants from me this time. Normally he has a great list of concerns he wishes to address before asking me if I will come for an extended visit. It's odd and makes me worry." The blue eyes looked up almost pleadingly. "I want to go. Even if it's just to assure myself that everything is well with him."
"Then go." Fox pushed her plate away. Turning her attention to rub the side of his arm encouragingly. "There really isn't anything more important then your training with the Light at this time of your life. Stormwind is only growing in confidence, knowing how skilled you are as a Priest and an advocate of peace."
"My father would kill me, if he knew I left you alone in Stormwind like this." Anduin frowned as he confessed his problem to her. "I am torn about it myself. I believe you can handle it. It's mostly nod and smile at the moment. Nothing is happening of any importance. So my presence isn't needed"
"Then your father will not know, because we simply will not tell him. It's just a portal away, and I can send a Mage to fetch you when I get word your father wants to return. You will be back long before he enters Stormwind." Fox shrugged simply. It might be good for Anduin to be out from the cross fire between her and Lord Bascomb. If he were not here she could handle things as she saw fit without passing them by Anduin. He would be torn, since he knew the elder Lord since his youth.
Anduin looked down to her plate. Then raised his eyes up to hers with worry. "You did not eat very much. I thought pregnant women liked lots of food?"
Fox laughed and nodded. "They like certain foods, or so I have been told. It's just as new to me as it is to you. Being pregnant doesn't seem to make me an expert on the condition either, but at the moment your little sister doesn't seem to want any of this poultry"
"I am not surprised. Dad dislikes it too. He is a red meat sort. I never cared either way. The chef makes everything so well, I can't find a single thing to complain about." Anduin stood up and stretched his arms over his head. "I am going to retire for the night. I will hit a portal to the Exodar in the morning. If you need me back, just send word."
"I will." Fox watched him leave the room. She sighed deeply as she thought on Varian. She missed him being here. Stormwind was a lonely place when he was away. It always had been. A sudden twinge in her side brought her hand close. Worried for a moment, before she felt it come again. This time a fluttering sensation catching her attention.
Worry turned to delight, as she realized just what she was feeling. A smile brightening her face. The baby had just moved and rather strongly for one so young. Excitement mixed with a little fear, as she felt the first real stirrings of life. It was one thing to be told you were pregnant. Then another thing to feel the sickness symptoms. But this! It was definitive proof that there was a child on it's way.
Fox came to her feet with her hands cradling her stomach. She was going to write Varian and inform him right away. There was some sadness that he was not here with her to experience the moment. She reminded herself there was no way he would be able to feel the slight motion. By the time her daughter was actively kicking her with enough force that he could feel it, she was sure he would be back. Fox chuckled imagining his expression. Then she realized how much he would tease the baby into kicking her again so he could feel it. Maybe it was a good thing he wasn't there?
She made her way through the halls. The soldiers all saluting her as she went. Never would she become used to it. Fox decided that she would forbid such action in Stromgarde. Passing through the throne room she saw Lord Winchester standing with Mathias Shaw. They were pouring over a folder in Mathias's hands. Their tones hushed so that their words were only low mumbles to those around them.
"Lord Winchester." Fox said loudly, so that she announced her presence. Coming to their sides she nodded over to the Spy Master "Good evening Shaw."
"Lady Lothar, how are you doing this evening?" Winchester smiled over at her.
Shaw set his hand on Fox's shoulder. "Lord Winchester has turned into quite the asset, Lady Lothar."
"Really? Praise from Mathias Shaw already? I have to say I am impressed, Lord Winchester." Fox leaned over to look at the file.
"It's nothing. I just went back over the files that Lord Remington had held on too. He has been moving his personal intelligence into my control since we learned of his condition. It seemed like as good a place to start as any. Then Bennet decided to talk to one of our set that had fallen blow the radar. A man with untold knowledge of what is going on with all the Nobles in Stormwind. Someone you know well."
"Who?"
"Jack Devereaux." Mathias Shaw whispered. Seeing Fox's eyes going wide in suspicion. "Now hear us out, the Noble man is perfect for our uses. Lord Bascomb will not suspect him considering the relationship between the two of you is strained at best."
"Strained is an understatement, and you know it, Shaw. You forget he is in the Stockades awaiting execution for trying to kill me." Fox hissed over. She shook her head hard. "What reason does he have to help me? I ruined his career in the SI-7 and instigated his attack at the Ball Varian threw for me. I can't see anything changing his mind when it comes to helping us."
"Bennet Remington and Jack Devereaux have been close friends since their youth. Bennet has gotten word to Jack under the table for weeks. Jack holds his loyalty to Remington over Bascomb. He already informed Bennet that Lord Bascombe has been recruiting those against the SI-7. So far there is no treason against the Crown itself, but he is forming a bit of an army. The location of these men is as yet unknown." Lord Winchester informed her quickly. There was no use letting her discard a useful ally without all the facts.
"Which is where this file comes in handy. All the humanitarian aid that Lord Bascomb has been leeching from the Stormwind treasury, has been going to fund his little uprising. Actually, it has been going on long before you even became and issue. Looks like he was planning on a full scale war against the other Nobles, but has yet been given the opportunity to use it without losing the trust of King Wyrnn." Shaw handed the file to Fox. "You were right, Lady Lothar. If you were still with me in the SI-7 I would promote you with honors. Good call."
Fox took the file with trembling hands. "Not something I am happy to be right about, Shaw. Tell me there are copies of this?"
"I'm not an amateur." Shaw snapped over at her. Queen of Stormwind be damned. After all their years working together she really should not have been asking that of him. "This is a copy, but you have to keep it safe, and in a place Lord Bascomb or his men will not find it."
"Yes, if he gets wind that we are closing in on him, he will come after us. We are already building a good case against him." Lord Winchester looked around the room. "I hate to say this, but you can trust no one here. The guards, to the serving staff could be working for him. He has helped many of his men out of trouble. The amount of bribery he has doled out is beyond comprehension, and even their families are loyal to him."
"Wonderful." Fox pulled the file to her chest. Hugging it tight as she processed what ramifications this was going to have in her day to day life."Lord Winchester, when this is over, I will make sure you are more then adequately compensated. Tell Bennet, to keep up his good work and I will accept Lord Devereaux's aid. He is to get a full pardon, as Lady Regent, I will draw the documents up first thing tomorrow and affix my seal. The letter will be delivered to the Stockades, and he can come out from under cover at anytime he feels threatened. I can't believe that he is proving to be useful to me. He really was a terrible rogue in the past."
"Looks like he learned that being Noble and throwing your weight around isn't as good as keeping your head down and ears open. I may even consider taking him back." Shaw nodded.
"He will be ever so grateful to hear this." Lord Winchester bowed deeply
"He should be. Lady Lothar is going against King Wyrnn's expressed order that the man be executed and giving him unrestricted freedoms." Shaw shot back. "Tell him, that once he is out to refrain from coming close to the SI-7. We will contact him in secret, as to not blow his cover."
"Very good." Lord Winchester nodded his acceptance of the idea.
"You are both dismissed. I have things that need to be done." Fox smiled over at Shaw with warmth. "It seems that my Royal issue is starting to move, and her father needs a letter to inform him of such."
Both men turned to look at her with large eyes. Their attention going to her waist, and then back up to her smiling face.
"That certainly is blessed news, Lady Lothar. The one thing everyone can agree to is that having the Arathi Bloodline perpetuated honors us all." Lord Winchester congratulated her.
Shaw scowled just a bit. "To you maybe, Winchester, but its a mere reminder to me of what I have to protect here. There is much that could be lost if Lord Bascomb decides to show his ugly side."
Winchester looked almost horrified. "Lord Bascomb isn't the most ethical of men, but when we consider who our Lady is, I just can not resign myself to anyone harming her in this condition. She is Anduin Lothar's only child."
"Be that as it may, I am going to my chambers to set this file in a safe place and pen a letter to the King. I bid you both good night." Fox waved them off and headed down the hall. A hand rising to stifle a yawn.
"She is amazing, our Lady Lothar. Will of iron, even in the face of so much danger." Lord Winchester leaned toward Shaw as he spoke.
Shaw looked over at the Lord. "You have no idea. The things she faced as an Agent of the SI-7 would astound you."
The servants opened the door to Fox's chambers for her. She came into the room to find Damiana awaiting her. "Priestess? What are you doing here so late?'
"What do you think I am doing? You have not allowed anyone to look you over for days. I finally received the last note I could tolerate, so I have come myself." Damiana placed her hands on her hips. Tilting her head she looked to the folder. "What is that? It had better not be something to distress you?"
"This?" Fox held it up before her and tossed it to the small desk. "It's just some paperwork that I be must going over before the morning."
Damiana's eyes followed the file and then went back to Fox. "How have you been feeling? Because I know you refuse to let anyone see your weaknesses, let alone treat them."
"Perfectly fine. I am starting to have some issues with food, and I think the baby actually moved tonight." Fox reached around to pull on the the ribbon that held on her dress.
Damiana moved to help her. The fingers moving over the small buttons. "What did it feel like? This movement that you felt."
"At first it was a small twinge, and then followed by a distinct flutter. I thought perhaps it was hunger, but when it came again I knew it was the child." Fox allowed Damiana to pull the dress over her head and go for the night clothes
"I will prescribe something for the nausea." Damiana said simply.
Fox felt like she wanted to choke someone. The Priestess has not been listening to her description at all. "It's not nausea."
"It keeps you from eating. You need to eat correctly and on time for the baby. I am going to mix a special potion up after I get you settled and bring it back up tonight. You will drink it." Damiana gave Fox a look that could not be argued with.
The night gown was put on and Damiana left the room in a rush. Fox was glad to see her gone. Upset that the fussy Priestess will be back shortly with what ever concoction she made. Fox walked over and turned up the lamp on the table. She moved over and opened the drawer that held the papers she had been working on. Setting them on the table and open the file Shaw had given her.
The papers pulled out and scanned against each other. The same repeated pattern of requests for aid. The places were different, but the items the same. The amounts of gold the same on each as well. That alone should have raised an eyebrow, or two, long before. It was not much in the grand scheme of things, but over the years it would have added up.
The sly Noble had been using his humanitarian efforts as a cover to support a personal army. If the suspected amount was true, it was an army and then some!
The door opened and Damiana came in with a tray. "I brought a small snack as well. The thought of you not eating sets me ill at ease. So I have a small selection for you to help settle the potion I made for you."
"I am really feeling fine. I don't see any need to take it." Fox fell back in her chair and looked the the ceiling.
Damiana's answer was to hand Fox the vial. "Drink it down and you can chase it with this juice. Then maybe some of these crackers."
A groan escaped Fox as she took the vial and tossed it back. Oh, but it tasted awful. "What did you put in this?" The brown eyes narrowed on the glass container.
"You don't want to know, but it will calm your nerves and ease that stomach." Damiana shrugged and pinned her eyes on Fox, waiting expectantly. "It's a wonder you do not have an ulcer from the look of all this paperwork. You really need to cut back your work load. I will discuss this with Prince Anduin and the other Nobles of court early tomorrow morning."
Fox pulled it into a pile. "its not so much. The papers all repeat, and I have no idea why. I was just puzzling it out, but I am going to give up on it. Simply not worth my time, you know?" The lie came easy as she shoved it in the file. Planning on putting it back in her desk and locking it for the night. As she stood she felt the wave of dizziness assaulting her. A hand slamming down on the desk to keep her up. "Oh, that potion has a kick."
"I only make the best." Damiana moved to help Fox stay up on her feet. "Let's move you to the bed."
"But I have to put my papers away." Fox could hear the slur of her own speech. She rocked for a moment and reached a hand up to cup her head. There was a very real chance of her falling down at this rate.
"And risk you falling on the floor, dear, no." Damiana turned her over to the large bed.
Fox falling upon it. "Next time do not make the potion so strong. I can barely move." the words trailing off as Damiana pulled the blanket over her.
"Sleep well, Lady Lothar." Damiana turned and moved back to the desk. A hand falling to the papers with an eager tremble. She looked up to study Fox's breathing. She waited a moment more to see if the other woman was lost to consciousness. Nodding with assurance she sat down and looked over the papers. The eyes going wide. All of these were signed by Lord Bascomb, and dated back a good bit more then then was held on open record.
It was clear Fox was investigating the elder Lord. That had been expected. Damiana fumbled around and settled them all in the file. Opening the drawer to pull out the rest of the papers. She filtered through them idly, until something took her interest. A rather elaborated scroll. She opened it to see a document. A marriage certificate with the seal of Stormwind and Gilneas. The union was labeled with Varian's signature, but the Lady's name was missing.
Damiana blinked and looked at it again, not sure she was seeing this correctly. She raised her eyes to Lady Lothar sleeping in the bed. If anyone were to sign this document, the chaos that would ensue! She shuffled the papers back into the drawer. The scroll was carefully tucked back where no one would be able to see it. It would do no good for it to go missing when they may have use for it.
Then she moved out the door in a great rush. She didn't wait for the guards to shut it behind her as she took off in a run. The hands going down to pull up her robes, and allowing her greater speed. Lord Bascomb had to be informed. If Lady Lothar took it into her mind to sign that document before they made use of the opportunity it would be a real shame!
She knew right where to find him at this hour. Cathedral Square was quiet and it was easy to see Lord Bascomb standing with Astarii near the elaborate fountain. They were deep in conversation as the stroll around the court yard. The night elf preferring this hour as her eyes adjusted to the bright light of Stormwind against the moody glow of Darnassus.
"I bring important news!" Damiana broke in to their private discussion. Sure she was being rude not addressing them by title, but they could both deal with it.
"You can wait a moment before informing me what ever triviality you have learned." Astarii waved the other Priestess off. " I am speaking with Lord Bascomb just now, dear woman."
Damiana growled, and was tempted to toss a partially harmful spell at the other woman. "I am here for Lord Bascomb, you twit!"
"Why would he ever address you personally? You should just tell me, and I would happily judge if your information is worthy of his Noble ears." Astarii snapped over at Damiana. She ignored the fact that even Lord Bascomb gave her an odd look of annoyance. Turning to the elder Lord, Astarii smiled pleasantly. "I am very sorry, but this Priestess you have supplied me with is the most trying thing at times. I have yet to convey to her how things should work with the higher peerage. Perhaps she would be replaced with someone more easily educated."
"Higher Peerage? This is the Order of Light, not the Sisters of Elune. If anything I out rank you here." Damiana shouted back in open anger. The thought of pulling on the green hair becoming wildly appealing. "Not that it will do us any good if the next Queen of Stormwind holds such close ties with the SI-7."
"Whatever are you talking about?" Lord Bascomb blinked over at her. Not liking the idea of what was being implied.
"Rogues will never out pace the Light." Astarii growled back. She was almost at the end of her tether as well, with the rude Human.
Damiana ignored Astarii and focused on the Lord. "I just saw a marriage document in Lady Lothar's room. It bore Stormwind and Gilnean seals. King Wyrnn has signed it himself, but as yet it looks like the Lady's name has been with held. Should she sign it, we would be in deep trouble in gaining the control we need in Stormwind. King Wyrnn is already transfixed enough with Lady Lothar and the child. If she holds the power of his position as well, we are surely lost."
Lord Bascomb scowled and shook his head in deep thought. "That is an issue. We must remove it before that happens. Perhaps find another to take her place. Some one more, malleable to our needs."
"And how will we do that with the SI-7 openly investigating us with great suspicion?" Damiana asked crossing her hands over her chest. "Maybe we should back out of our current plans, and hit this at a later date."
"The Lady Lothar will just grow in power. We need to strike quickly before that can happen. The power of Light is behind us. We can not fail." Astarii snorted over at Damiana. Not impressed that the other Priestess had no true faith in the all encompassing power of the Light.
"But she has the backing of the SI-7 and the Royal House of Wyrnn!" Damiana yelled back at the Night Elf. She reached out to shake the other woman wanting her to understand. "Are you such a fool you can't see what that means?"
"Hush, you lowly creature! I am sick of your insults!" Astarii raised her hand to strike Damiana across the cheek. "Keep your hands off me!"
Lord Bascomb laughed as the women argued before him. It curbed the open hostility as they turned in unison to glare at him. Both wondering why he was not taking control over the other.
Damiana being the first to speak. "I fail to see what is so humorous. I know the Order of Light holds more power among the people then the SI-7, but when it comes to getting things done you know who they call on. If Lady Lothar means to move against you, this will be really bad."
"Oh it would be bad if I didn't have the most powerful Rogue they have at my disposal, already." Lord Bascomb's laughed died to a chuckle. He rubbed his hands together in evil glee. "I know who can be counted on and who can't, because I really do have the most fearsome SI-7 agent on my side."
"You have convinced the Spy Master?" Astarii looked somewhat hopeful at his words.
"Shaw? Light no! I have been keeping him close as of late. Just in case either of you decided to prove unworthy of my trust. That does not seem to be an issue if I consider your exuberance just now." The Lord turned and called out. Even he had no idea where his little death machine was hiding. "You may show yourself."
Astarii looked to see the figure moved out of the shadows. "What joke is this? A Gnome? You can't be serious, Lord Bascomb."
"Oh wondrous and beautiful creature." Learen revved his chainsaw blades, a dark gleam in his eyes.,as he looked to the Night Elf Priestess. "You have so much to learn about the world you live in. Now, not one of you fear about the SI-7. I will handle any issue we get from them."
Author Note: Yea they are all pretty much doomed with Learen going to the dark side... or is it the Light side? So confused. There was no Stromgarde team today. I know you are all devastated. Right? Also, if you didn't know I started a new story called Light Demon. If you like my work check it out!