Chapter 40
Falling into Place
Chelinka leaned back against the stone wall. The book of short stories in one hand. The sound of her voice dancing in perfect pitch and emotion as she read aloud to the famous Archmage, whose head rested on her lap.
Khadgar for his part was enjoying the story. He watched the clouds drifting across a brilliant blue sky.
"The end." Chelinka snapped the book shut, and sighed looking down. "You look to comfortable to move, Archmage."
"Truer words have never been spoken, Chelly." The blue eyes closed and he made no move to get up.
Chelinka chuckled softly and set the book aside. Reaching down she drew her fingers through the white hair. "That was not an invitation for a nap."
He frowned and one eye popped open. "Are you denying an old man his much needed rest?"
"I would never do such a thing." Chelinka slipped a hand under his head and pushed him up. "But we all know that you are not as old as you look. Now up! There are tomes in the Mage Tower for me to archive. You have kept me from my work long enough."
"Boani has it well in hand, Chelly, just a while longer." Khadgar took hold of her arm to keep her from rising.
Chelinka looked down at where he had his hand on her. A confused look as she brought her eyes back to his. "Khadgar? What is wrong?"
"Who says there is anything wrong? I just wanted to spend sometime with one of the most talented, not to mention pretty, Mages in all of Azeroth."
"You think I am pretty." Chelinka arched up an eyebrow skeptically.
Khadgar chuckled and dropped his hold. "Of course I do, I'm not blind."
The Magess reached out and grabbed hold of the neck of his robes. A low snarl as she confronted him. "There is only two explanations for this. Either you are not Khadgar at all, or you are trying to mollify me into a better mood so you can manipulate me. Neither of which is going to be tolerated, mister!"
"Chelly!" Khadgar tried to pull back only to find himself being choked by her tightening hold. "It's neither of those."
"Then give me a reason, Archmage." The hold did not loosen.
"I am leaving to assault the Dark Portal soon. It will be very dangerous, and I just wanted to spend time with you while I could. Traveling between time and space is draining and extremely hard. I will not be able to see you as much as now." Khadgar felt her hand drop from him slowly. The beautiful face going softer.
"Is that all?" She broke into a short laugh. "Archmage Khadgar, you worry needlessly. Since I am going with you."
It was Khadgar's turn to be stunned. "What are you saying? You have to remain here in Stromgarde and protect the Lady Lothar."
"As you pointed out Boani has that well in hand. She is very skilled and knowledgeable. There is no need to have both of us here. Not when there is such important work to be done in Draenor. With the Iron Horde" Chelinka came to her feet and wiped the grass from her robes.
"Absolutely not, Chelly. I forbid you to go anywhere near that portal." Khadgar came to his feet and commanded in a stern voice.
"As much as I admire you, Archmage, you are not in control of what I do." She turned her back and headed toward the Mage Tower.
Khadgar rushed behind her. "What do you mean by that? It does not matter if it's the Kirin Tor, or the Alliance Mages, your supporters will take my advice on your placement."
Chelinka continued walking and threw her head back and laughed loudly. "You forget. I am the Archmage of Stromgarde, Khadgar. Good Luck getting the Lady Lothar to curb my actions to your wishes. She is very stubborn when it comes to her people and our own desires."
That stopped Kahdgar in his tracks as Chelinka kept her stride. A smile of victory on her face.
O0O0O0O0O0O0
"I don't want excuses, I want results." Lord Bascomb yelled at his men in full view of the two Priestess. "Lady Lothar can not be allowed to take the crown, but without someone to place on the throne all we are doing is stalling her ascension."
"What can we do?" One of the men asked as he looked to the others loyal to the Lord. "None of the Noble daughters of age are acceptable. They will only empower their Noble family beyond our control."
Damiana stood looking out the floor to ceiling window. Shaking her head, she turned to the group. "Then find a common girl. Someone you can control."
Astarii choked on the tea she had been sipping. The glowing silver eyes going to the other woman. "How can you consider pairing the High King to some nobody?"
"I did not say a mere peasant. There are commoners out there that have done very noble acts for Stormwind. The military service for example. They are not Noble by title or birth, but they have the distinction of combat and the respect of the masses." Damiana turned back to the window so that Astarii could not see the hate in her eyes.
"Low born, is just that. You do not want the mixing of blood. It will get them thinking they can rise their meager status by marrying off their more comely daughters to those of pure Noble blood." Astarii looked over Lord Bascomb.
The Lord looked over at Damiana. "Hold your tongue Astarii. The Priestess Damiana is on to something. We are not like the Night Elves with long lives that such a plan could haunt us."
The Night Elf scoffed and looked back to her tea.
Damiana turned back to the room in shock that she was actually being listened to for once.
"Learen!" Bascomb called to the Gnome sitting in the corner sharpening his blades. "Do you think you can get into the restricted files at the SI-7 and see if you can find the papers on the Military Heroes of the Alliance? I am sure there is some covering up going on because of valiant service on some of them."
Learen nodded as if he had expected the statement. He figured once he left the secret meeting he would go straight to the SI-7 and tell Shaw what he needed. No doubt Shaw would know exactly who to hand over as a proverbial sacrifice to this latest scheme.
Bascomb nodded over at him. "Good, I know I can count on you Learen. Your efforts so far have surpassed by greatest hopes."
Learen never even looked up as he said, "It will not be that hard. There is even the Hawke family that has their own share of problems, considering the daughter's involvement with the Blood Elves."
"Hawke? As in Jasper and Ellysan Hawke's daughter?" Bascomb looked as if you could have knocked him over with a feather.
"You know them?" Learen grinned, and set his daggers to his lap. "I just got out of a mission with their daughter Braelyn in Silvermoon. Seems she was rather close to the Archmage Rommath, more then friends if you get my meaning."
"That's treason!" Astarii stood up quickly. The moment the little Hunter had been mentioned she had seen red. Now to know this new information. How dare she get any where near Astarii's precious Goldenleaf. "She should be arrested and imprisoned immediately."
Bascomb put his hand up. "No this is perfect! I know Jasper Hawke well. Even King Wyrnn has a long standing soft spot for that family. Using his daughter against the Lady Lothar is perfect for what we need."
"Besides the fact that Lady Lothar has befriended Braelyn already. They are considered friends." Damiana pointed out. She never bothered to look back at the room.
"But you over look that at her core, Lady Lothar is a Rogue with a long history of not trusting anyone. She never even told her parents of her occupation. Isn't that correct Learen?" Bascomb moved to sit down behind his desk as he pondered the scheme`.
A deep sigh and Learen looked to the ceiling. "Why do I have to point out the obvious. We Rogues do not last very long if we form attachments. Fox ran from Varian like the plague. Hell, if your Royal Marriage Decree is any indication she is still trying to figure a way out of it."
"Insanity. She is a Lothar. It's her obligation to marry the High King." Astarii spoke up. "Even my own Lady Whisperwind is approving of the mate."
"HA!" Learen pointed his blade at the woman. "But what you don't know is Shaw only set Fox on King Wyrnn as a diversion while we were stationed at Lion's Landing. If not for the interference none of this would ever have come about."
"Wait. Shaw instigated their meeting?" Bascomb felt the gears in his head spinning.
"Yes, it was only later that we found out she was Lothar's daughter." Learen grumbled. Climbing down from his chair and heading for the door. He was done with this plotting and scheming. If he stayed longer he would stab them all.
"Then is it possible that Fox is not the real Eloise Lothar?" Bascomb brightened at the idea.
"Unlikely since Khadgar says she is the image of Ondrena Manston. Who was the woman reputed to be Eloise Lothar's mother." Damiana reminded him.
"But there can be doubt set on the Crimson Fox. Lady Lothar is with the SI-7. If we can set a seed of doubt in King Wyrnn's mind, and then turn him toward the Hawke girl." Bascomb grinned with an evil gleam going to his eyes.
"But King Wyrnn loves her! Don't be foolish." The human Priestess sighed. "Look how long it took him to settle on anyone beyond Tiffin. Since Katrana Prestor can not be counted due to her mind control and dark magic."
"Then we have to make him not love her." The Lord nodded over at Damiana
"And how do we do that?" Astarii leaned back and crossed her arms. She was still in approval of doing away with Braelyn Hawke. Making her the new Stormwind Queen was appealing as well. It got her out from Goldenleaf's attention. Once her usefulness was over she could follow Tiffin Wyrnn to the grave.
"We do what Nobles do best. We ruin her reputation and paint her as a monster on par with Katrana Prestor. The people of Stormwind will do the rest for us." Bascomb pulled out a piece of paper. "Let me write the letter requesting the King's presence back to Stormwind."
O0O0O0O0O0O
"What do you mean I am forbidden from leaving my room." Fox snapped at the guard who blocked her path.
"The High Priestess Damiana has determined that you are not in the best of health. Without King Wyrnn or Prince Anduin to confer with she was forced to consult Lord Bascomb. He has decreed that until you are given a clean medical evaluation, you are to stay in your rooms with hourly visits with medical personal." The Guard looked as uncomfortable as a wet Gnoll as he informed her.
"You are not serious!" Fox shook her head at him.
"I am afraid so."
Fox let out a deep sigh and nodded, "If this is the case, please send for Mathias Shaw immediately."
"I can try, but Bascomb's decree says that you are not to be disturbed. He told the other Nobles that tried to visit with you that unwarranted stress on your delicate condition will not be tolerated."
Fox felt her mouth drop open. Knowing exactly what she was being told. Lord Bascomb was in full control of Stormwind and herself. "Tell me that the message to retrieve the King has been sent."
"That I can confirm with certainty, Lady-Regent. Bascomb sent it out himself this morning."
"Bascomb sent it?" Fox rolled her eyes at that. She could just imagine what the man put in his letter. "I have no idea what to think about that." Closing the door she moved across the room to the window. She tried to push it open only to find that someone had clasped it shut from the inside. "Please. Like that is going to keep me in." Fox stepped back and looked around the room for items she could use as tools. Sure she would have hourly check ups, but that only meant that after her next one there would be an hour head start. Let them search Stormwind for her.
O0O0O0O0O0
Genn Graymane held the message in his hands. A sense of worry filling him. He looked across the room to where King Varian was over seeing the last of the building plans on the main wall's defenses. The King had been almost zealous about the capacity of Stromgarde to defend itself from any possible attack.
The water systems had been tunneled in low, with grates blocking any entrance by hostile forces. Then they had been set on a Gnomish device that filled the tanks with water during a filtration system that would drown anyone. Then to make sure the Naga or Murlocs were barred a random electric current would pass through with deadly intensity.
The out lying farms were also equipped with an alarm system and covered by the large Dwarven cannons that had been affixed on the wall.
Varian had discussed a magical barrier over the entirety of the city with the Mages. They had been working on formalizing a spell that could be held and Mages transferred. It became clear that more of the casters would be needed. Varian had already made overtures toward the Kirin Tor to inform any Mage interested in working within Stromgarde to contact Greymane.
This was just some of the plans put in place to keep the Lady Lothar, Queen of Stromgarde safe when she and their child finally returned for, what Varian hoped, would be casual visits.
"King Wrynn." Genn approached the main desk, "If I can have your attention. A letter has arrived from Stormwind."
Varian nodded as he pointed at a few more key points on his map. "My precious Lady Regent and Crown Prince run into an issue that needs my attention?" He looked up and moved around holding out his hand for the paper.
"Anduin has been called by Velen to the Exodar on an urgent matter." Genn frowned and looked at Varian's eyes filling with worry. He did not hand over the note. Instead filling the King of Stormwind in himself."The message is from Lord Bascomb. The Lady Lothar has fallen gravely ill from the stress upon her in trying to rule a city the size of Stormwind alone, and he is requesting you return to Stormwind as soon as possible. Bascomb feels that the Lady is on the verge of a breakdown. He is handling things in the absence of power, and requires assistance. There was also a request that you bring Braelyn Hawke back with the Grand Armored Gryphon the Lady loves so well. It is Bascomb's hope it will boost her spirits."
"Call Braelyn Hawke at once. I wanted to return Seb to Stormwind anyway. I will need her aid in doing that. I plan on taking a Gryphon at first light tomorrow rather then a portal. I will escort the two of them." Varian nodded and looked back at the plans before him. They were solid enough that he could leave them in the hands of Genn. Also with the added arrival of Rygen Stonehorn overseeing Horde activity Stromgarde should be more then safe. Fox would be pleased.
"You do not want an immediate portal out?" Genn blinked in a bit of shock.
"No doubt Lord Bascomb has Fox locked in her room under a watchful eyes, and none of the drama of Stormwind will get through to her. That man has been one of my loyalist supporters since before I was crowned. I can trust him as I trust myself. Bascomb is right, having Seb back where Fox can coddle over him will boost her morale. I would take him myself, but the damn bird wont let me near him. I could imagine the hell of trying to fly him all the way to Stormwind. Fox had Miss Hawke exercising him in the past. I am sure she can handle the trek back for us."
O0O0O0O0O0O
Shaw shut the door to his office and moved to lite his lamp.
"I thought you would never get here."
The sound of Fox's voice caused him to scramble back for a moment. "Geez, Fox. You scared the life out of me." He watched her grin from her place by the window. "They have been searching for you all over Stormwind. What are you doing here so late?'
"Getting some air. That jerk, Lord Bascomb, actually had me locked in my rooms." She turned and pulled the curtain back to look out at the lights of Stormwind being lit.
"Well, you did collapse from the stress. I do not blame you. It is a very dangerous gambit we are trying to pull off. It will be harder with the King back in the picture." Shaw set the lamp down and moved away.
"I am going to let Varian know what has been happening as soon as he returns. Which is why I am here. I will be needing all the information you have in the files to show him." Fox indicated her head toward the desk.
Shaw nodded. "I can have copies made up. The originals will be removed from Stormwind first thing."
"You feel we need such an extreme action?" Fox dropped the curtain and turned to Shaw.
"Lord Bascomb as been with the Stormwind court since we rebuilt the city. He stood with Varian against Prestor, and on the side of Fordragon. He has a good track record, Fox. The King isn't going to throw him off so easy, even for you."
"True. Damn, some days I wish I could just manipulate Varian into doing what I want." Fox flopped down in one of the chairs. "I would expend less energy that way."
"He would be furious if he ever caught you at that." Shaw pointed out. "So I suggest you continue the slow and steady route."
"I know, which keeps me from doing it." Fox kept her mouth shut about the crystal that kept her in contact with the Banshee Queen. If Shaw knew she had contact with the Leader of the Forsaken the blow out would be has bad as if Varian ever knew. "Still, Bascomb will be playing dirty. We need to be prepared for that."
"Yes he will. I already have it on good authority that the Priestess Astarii is working with him. Curse him to a thousand hells for bringing over a Sister of Elune. Varian will be even more careful considering he could alienate the Night Elves at this rate. Which I am sure is what Bascomb planned from the first."
"You can't be serious! He really is pulling in the big guns, isn't he." Fox sat forward in shock.
"You are on the cusp of becoming Queen of all of Stormwind, Fox. Your heritage gives you much leverage in the Alliance as well. I do not put it past him to try and stop you from becoming more powerful." Shaw warned.
Fox snorted and shook her head. "He is late to that party. I married Varian before he left for Stromgarde. My parents hold the decree at their home. Also, there is the Royal Decree I keep in my rooms that backs me up."
"You married!?" Shaw brightened. "Oh that is going to piss Bascomb off! So have you relented enough to sign the Royal Decree?"
"No."
"Get it done soon, or destroy it, Fox. I have no liking for that document to be floating around in the state it is in." Shaw moved over to kneel before her. He took her hands in his and looked up with pleading brown eyes. "You are important to me. One of the few people I consider a true friend and infinitely loyal to the SI-7 and myself. We can not loose you Fox."
"What does it matter. Even if someone else were to sign it, there is no way Varian would comply with. Plus the official ceremony my parents witnessed supersedes it. The Paladin Goya is out of Stormwind and beyond Bascomb's reach in Pandaria" Fox looked down at him and smiled. "You worry to much."
Author Note: Sorry it has been so long since I updated. I took a break. I wrote a one shot called Unrequited, worked on Light Demon, and started a multichapter fic called Bow and Arrows. I did some art for Warbelle from Unrequited and put a screen shot of Learen up on my Deviant art account, AMCM74. I will continue to work on all of them. Echo is first though. I just needed to step back. Also, if you want me to write more Echo, Review Echo or send me a PM. Please do not review my other stories asking for Echo. Thank you. As always please Fan and Fav for updates. Review and let me know what you think