Chapter 45
Scattered
Mathias looked up to see Learen actually running into his office. That set the Spy Master on edge instantaneously. This was the last place the Gnome ever wanted to be, and the little fellow avoided it at every chance. Throwing down his quill and coming to his feet, Shaw cried out. "What has happened?"
"It's a shit storm." Learen pushed the door shut with a fierce kick of his heel. " Lord Bascomb has made his move."
"How bad is it?"
"Worse then even I imagined it would get. Lady Lothar has been stripped of all her power and is being taken to the Stockades as we speak." Learen looked to the ground and shook his head still in amazement of what he had witnessed.
"King Wyrnn would never allow that." Shaw came around his desk. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. If anyone but Learen was telling him this story, Shaw would not have believed them. But it was Learen, and Learen was never one to tease.
"He has no choice. Lord Bascomb is going to kill her with or without the child she is carrying. King Wyrnn is doing everything in his power to save the baby. I am not sure he stands a chance in helping Fox." Learen watched as Shaw turned to gather his weapons. "Stop where you are. There is more."
"How could there be more?" Shaw dragged a hand through his ginger hair as he let his eyes lock on the Gnome.
"The SI-7 is to be purged of all current members. All of the agents are to be taken temporarily to the Stockades. I have been ordered to dispatch you immediately." Learen sighed and pulled out his chainsaw daggers. "I would say I regret this action, but it's my duty to see Lord Bascomb's will done. Per your orders, of course."
Shaw stared at the Gnome firing up his engines. The eyes bulging as the meaning of his words came home to roost. "Son of a BITCH!" Shaw dove for his swords. He had never actually sparred with the Gnome. There was no way to tell how this match would turn out. "You can't mean to betray me like this, Learen!"
"Betray? No. You said to gain Lord Bascomb's trust using what ever means necessary. I am merely following your orders, Shaw. I am the most devoted agent you have, and I will not fail you. Don't worry, I will set fresh flowers at your grave every week, or until I get bored of doing it." Learen shook both of his daggers over his head. "Stay still. It will hurt less if I get a clean shot at your neck."
Shaw was not about to just stand there and do nothing. The swords came up to block the first blow. What he had never considered was just why Learen used chainsaw daggers. The Gnome gave up the stealth attack with the time he needed to start his blade, and the sound of the motors didn't help either. But once on and in combat the spinning blade cut through Shaw's traditional weapons like butter. The sparks flew around the room. Some landing on his desk and set his paper work a blaze.
Learen did not pull back. He pressed his daggers down hard until one blade broke. The other growing so hot from the friction that Shaw was forced to drop it despite his gloved hands.
Mathias shouted and shook his burning palm. He pulled it to his chest and glanced down. The material had melted and his palm was black from the heat. Once again a cry of "Son of a BITCH!" roared out. "Knock it off Learen. You are relieved of your duty to Bascomb!"
"You are only saying that because you don't want me to kill you. That's not very professional of you, Spy Master! You know better then to change the orders in the middle of a mission." Learen jumped high and spun around. A vicious kick to Shaw's chest sending the much larger Human skidding across his desk, and through the glass window..
The impact of the hard ground behind the SI-7 Headquarters was bad. Worse was the glass that had embedded itself around his body. Shaw coughed and raised a hand to his mouth. Pulling it back to see the red stain of blood. Damn it all, had he broken some ribs? Sitting up, he confirmed it. He looked up to see Learen standing on the window sill above him.
The Gnome pulled back his goggles as he stared down at Shaw. "I can not believe you are trying to flee. Never would have taken the great Mathias Shaw as one to run when the chips were down."
"Learen, I am telling you to stop this right now." Shaw coughed again and tried to rise. The pain was intolerable. Causing him to fall back.
Learen saw his chance. He moved into his terrifying move, death from above. Igniting his rocket boots so that he hit his old Master with more force then gravity could produce in his little form. It was rare, but it had been known to happen every now and again. The boot malfunctioned and sent Learen careening around the interior of the room and then out the window and through the trees. The sound of his voice filtering back to Shaw. "Please excuse the mechanical error. Give me a few minutes and I will be back to finish you off."
Like hell Shaw was waiting around. He crawled to his feet. Holding his side, he limped his way around the building. He had one goal. Getting out of Old Town and to the Gryphon Master. Now that he was this injured there was only one choice. He had to abandon the SI-7 and Fox for the time being. Staying alive to fight another day was more important. It caused a burning of self loathing. He wanted to protect his men. To shield the Lady Lothar. He should have seen this coming.
O0O0O0O0O0
The darkness of the Stockade's entrance reflected the heaviness in Fox's heart. Coming into the first room to see Gracie Fulbright standing off to the side in chains. Two guards stationed on either side of her. "Eloise!" She tried to go forward at the sight of her daughter, but was pulled harshly back by the large men.
"You can speak with her only for a moment."
Fox stared over at the woman who had raised her. Turning her head to the man who seemed in charge quickly. "Why is she bound like this? Tell me now what crime could she have possibly done to deserve such treatment?"
"Treason. Lord Bascomb has informed us that she was in on the plot against his Majesty, King Wyrnn. She is lucky she isn't dead already." The Guard looked down at Fox with distrust.
"Eloise, they took Myles to the main keep. You have to find out what they have done with him!" Gracie teared up as she shook her chains. "The moment he was out the door these men grabbed me and dragged me here. They have been going on about some treasonous plot."
"Mom." Fox felt her face fall at the mention of her father.
"What is it, Eloise?" Gracie didn't have to ask. She knew that her husband was gone. It was written on her daughter's face. That kind of pain could not be hidden from a mother's eyes
"Let me speak with her a moment." Fox snapped out at the guards. She could not bring herself to confess her crime before everyone. Not for herself, but for Gracie. It would be painful enough losing Myles. Learning that Fox was the one who had wielded the weapon was something else.
"Watch your tone, Crimson Fox. You are no longer Lady Lothar to any of us."
"I realize that, but I am in chains. Gracie Fulbright is my adoptive mother and innocent of these crimes, and she is in chains. What possible harm can come from allowing me to tell her what happened?" Fox glared over at the guard. "Since you already know so well."
"Everyone give them a moment." The guard nodded. What harm could come from this? Fox had killed Myles Fublright before everyone. Gracie would hate her. "You have five minutes, and no more. I need to get you locked in your cell before the rest of the SI-7 arrives."
The men left, and Gracie stepped over to her daughter. The large blue eyes filling with tears. She looked over Fox's stained dress and messed hair. "How can they do this to you? Our precious Lady Lothar should never be treated in such a manner. Your heritage demands respect."
"I was going against the Stormwind Nobles. I never wanted what happened to Father at the docks to happen to anyone ever again. I misstepped, and now he is dead." Fox choked on her words. The head dropped low.
"You were doing the right thing, girl. It's not your fault." Gracie tried to sooth her.
Fox broke on that. The tears flying free in a way Gracie had never seen before from Eloise. "But it is my fault! I killed him, mom. I stabbed him in the chest with my own daggers."
Gracie froze. The little mouth falling open at Fox's words. "Why would you do something like that? How could you kill your father? The two of you loved each other so very much."
"I will not make excuses. Hate me for it. Revile me, because I feel the same way about myself."
"No. You loved him as he loved you. There is more to this story, and we are going to sort it out. King Wyrnn will not allow them to keep you imprisoned for long. You are Anduin Lothar's only descendant, and are carrying King Wyrnn's child. There is no possible way they will keep him from his Queen."
Fox felt like she had been slapped at Gracie's words. "No! You can't tell anyone about that, Mom. You are the only witness besides Goya. The Paladin is to far away to be of assistance and if Lord Bascomb catches wind that you saw the ceremony, he will kill you with out delay! It could threaten his plans."
"I am not afraid to die, Eloise." Gracie squared her shoulders. She was not about to cower before the ones who were trying to destroy the girl she had spent her life protecting.
"Varian will not forsake me. He already realized that Bascomb was behind this plot before they took me out of the Keep. I trust him. So please keep silent and deny everything you know until he can make a move." Fox looked to see the Guardsmen entering the room. "Slap me."
"What?" Gracie shook her head. "I can not strike you!"
"Do it. Shout at me and curse me before them. They will tell Bascomb and he will keep you alive to torment me more with your hate. Please, mom." Fox begged with her eyes. If any time in the world she needed Gracie to lay down her stubborn resolve, it was now. "Do not let them take you from me too. You and Varian are all I have left in the world."
Gracie looked anxiously at the guard. Then turning a twisted look of hate on her daughter she let her hand fly. "How dare you call yourself my daughter! I hate you. After all my husband did for you, and you kill him! You are a monster!"
Gracie continued to scream as she was dragged out of the Stockades. Fox should have figured as much from the start. If she or any of the SI-7 Agents broke free they needed Gracie Fulbright at an undisclosed location for leverage. Lord Bascomb was shrewd. He had years of experience behind him. Still she was the Crimson Fox, sly and cunning was her motto. There had to be a way out of this, but at the moment all her hope rested on Varian.
The guards dragged her deep into the stockades and down to an isolated cell. Fox was slammed against the wall by the guards. She was to short for the chains, but that did not stop them from pulling her arms up, and clasping them in anyway. If she did not stay on her toes, she was forced to hang by her wrists. Either option was painful.
One of the guards grabbing her chin and looking her in the face. "I can see why she got away with her ruse so long."
"Careful getting so close. I heard she was a Stormwind assassin at one time. I would hate to be explaining how such a tiny thing in chains killed you." The other guard cautioned.
The hold was dropped and and a good back step taken. "Isn't this how they all go down? Eventually their luck runs out, and they end up in some dark dungeon. Funny though, she is in the very city she fought to protect."
The other guard shook his head and moved from the cell. "Don't feel sorry for her, just because she has a pretty face and a curvy body. That is what got the King sucked in, and now he is paying for it."
"What ever is going on with his Majesty, or not, is none of your concern." Damiana moved through the dark halls. "The two of you go prepare the other cells. The guardsmen are on their way to Old Town to collect the Agents of the SI-7. Everything needs to be in order here for their arrival." She watched the men leave the room and turned her attention back to Fox.
"When Crimson catches win of what you have done to me, there will be hell to pay." Fox growled her warning low.
"Lord Bascomb has the power here. I doubt that even that dreaded Warlock can do anything to help you now. That is if anyone can get word to her. With all of your associates either being executed or incarcerated, I am quite safe."
"For the moment. Varian will not stand for this long. Sooner or later he will take Lord Bascomb down and rescue me. Between the King of Stormwind and Crimson, I would be watching my back if I were you."
Damiana started to laugh at that. It was a light sound filled with real humor. "You really think that King Wrynn is going to come for you? Perhaps he might find sometime after his wedding to Braelyn Hawke. But then, I doubt it, since he will be to busy Honeymooning with his new Queen."
"You think I do not realize that you forced her to sign the Royal Decree? It stands meaningless without Varian's backing. The whole of Stormwind would have to witness a public wedding to make that document valid enough to make her a real Queen." Not that it would matter once everyone learned Varian had already married Fox.
"You are exactly right. That is why in three days time, there will be an official and very public ceremony right here in Stormwind." Damiana made a sad face at Fox to mock her, "but it's not likely you will be able to attend. Shame really."
"You are lying. Varian will never forsake me like that." Fox scoffed at Damiana's prediction. "You are trying to manipulate me for some reason, but I will not falter in my faith in him."
"So you deny his ability to marry another?"
"As long as I draw breath he will be loyal to me." Fox leveled her eyes on Damiana in pure confidence.
O0O0O0O0O0O0
Varian sat across the table with Lord Bascomb. The papers were signed for the warrant and execution of Mathias Shaw. The SI-7 was to be dissolved and reformed under Bascomb's control. Lord Remington and Lord Winchester were to be arrested for crimes against the Kingdom. As Stormwind Nobles, they were to be relieved of title and banished from the Kingdom. In the end Bascomb did not have the heart to harm those he considered his own.
"Now for the last detail." Bascomb sat back and pinned his eyes on Varian. The King was still boiling in his fury. "Braelyn Hawke is waiting with her family outside. I will have them enter and you will play the devoted lover to her before her parents. It should not be that great a hardship. She is a pretty little thing after all."
"I am only going along with this for the sake of the baby. I warn you now, I still intend to kill you and save Lady Lothar." Varian's eyes were cold as his voice. They dripped with barely constrained rage.
"That is no way to be. You should show some devotion to the girl. In a few days she will be your dutiful Queen." Bascomb turned and shouted. "We are ready to see them now."
The door opened and Lord Bascomb came to his feet. Varian did as well, but for different reasons. The Hawkes he knew instantly, but Braelyn was another story. She was dressed for her part, and he had honestly never thought she could look so regal. That was not what caught his attention though. It was the way her head was lowered in a respectful position that looked for like that of a whipped dog. What had Bascomb done to drive her spirit so low?
"Lord and Lady Hawke!" Bascomb smiled and put his arms out as he moved to take Jasper's hand in a firm shake. "Please excuse my preemptive use of your new titles. It is merely a few days from now that it will be official. The parents of the Queen, it should be a great honor to you to see your daughter raised so high."
"This is more for Stormwind then for us." Jasper nodded and looked past Bascomb to the King. "But some actions have to be put to right. I am just glad that the Crimson Fox has been dealt with and the King is free to do right by my daughter."
"Do right by...?" Varian's set a hard look on Jasper.
Braelyn's father shot Varian a disapproving expression. "Your Majesty, I can not say I approve of your actions in Stromgarde. If you had feelings for Braelyn you should have come to us first, but all is forgiven. You are doing the right thing by my precious girl. I can settle for that."
Varian cleared his throat and looked at Braelyn. "Just what is he talking about?"
"The fact you had me stay in the main keep with you and then assigned me a body guard. Lord Bascomb was so kind to inform them of your devotion during my stay." Braelyn stepped forward so that only Varian could see her face. The blue eyes pleading with Varian not to enrage the Lord Bascomb over the false story.
It was then Varian realized he was not the only one being controlled with threats. Bascomb had been busy. "So I hear you were so eager to have me as a husband you signed the document. Lucky I had it on hand." Varian rubbed in the fact that it was meant for Fox.
Lord Bascomb scowled at that. Turning he motioned Lord and Lady Hawke out of the room. "We have to consider they are technically already married. We should allow them a few moments together. They have had so few with out that vile Rogue coming between them. Let us go make preparations for the wedding. I was thinking on the Keep stairs or perhaps the Cathedral. We could fill the courtyard with Stormwind citizens. It is a joyous event and should be open to all who wish to attend."
The door closed and Varian grabbed hold of Braelyn's arm immediatly. Leaning low to snarl in her face. "How could you be part of this?"
"he was blackmailing me with treason. He knows about Rommath!" Braelyn's lower lip trembled as she looked up at King Wyrnn. Why was the man so large? It was not fair to be so intimidated by mere size.
"You could have come to me! I already knew about the damn Blood Elf. I would have drawn you up a pardon if you just asked." Varian pointed out. "I have been nothing but good to you Braelyn. How can you betray me like this?"
"I know. That is why I was selected. Bascomb thinks there is a chance for us with Fox out of the way." Braelyn felt the hand on her arm remove so fast it seemed as if it burned Varian.
"Next to me, you are just a child!" Varian turned and dropped in his chair. A hand coming to his forehead. "Have you heard anything about her?"
"Fox? Nothing more then she has been taken from the Keep to the Stockades. The city is on fire with news of her alleged crimes. There are people calling for her life despite the baby." Braelyn swept up the large skirts and sat down near Varian. "There has to be something we can do?"
"If I could think of anything I would do it immediately. Bascomb is going to have Fox killed. He is not budging on that part of his plans. He uses the child against me, and I cannot get close enough to Fox to do anything. I do not know who I can trust anymore. Lord Bascomb was one of my inner most circle. Damn it, I just signed Mathias Shaw's life over in an attempt to buy more time for her. What kind of man am I becoming?"
"Do you really think Learen will kill him?" Braelyn raised a nervous hand to her mouth.
Varian looked up at Braelyn with a look that could only be described as "What do you think?"
"Then the only hope we have would be Goldenleaf. I have not heard from him since he went to speak with Lady Lothar."
"Malfurion's son?" Varian sat up. If Goldenleaf was still moving around free, there was hope. But right now there was this wedding Bascomb was planning. "We need to both refuse to marry. I do not need to confuse my people by openly marrying you before them."
"You have to marry me, King Wyrnn!" Braelyn moved to drop at his feet. Pressing her hands together as if in prayer as she begged. "Bascomb will kill my parents. There is no telling what he will do to Fox if you anger him more. Please reconsider!"
Varian looked away. Braelyn's words were true, but how could he do this. Sure he was already married to Fox, but an open ceremony for the masses? How could he stand before his people and lie?
O0O0O0O0O0O
Goldenleaf stood on the bridge near the Cathedral district watching the guards of Stormwind empty the Fulbright's town house of it's entirety. He had learned that Myles had been killed by Fox. Which made no sense to him, and he deemed it a blatant lie and attack on her character. Gracie Fulbright was missing. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. Locating the Marriage Certificate between King Wyrnn and Lady Lothar would be impossible. That would be if Bascomb had not already found and disposed of it. To continue to search for the one here in Stormwind would be a complete waste of time.
There was one thing left to do. Go to Pandaria and drag Goya back to Stormwind with her copy. Goldenleaf's only worry was, would Stormwind be standing when he returned. He turned and changed his mind about his main worry. "Astarii." Whoo hoo! Could this day get any worse?
"What are you doing out here, Goldenleaf, love?" She looked up at him and forced a little smile. "Catching some of the sun's rays? I am so glad that you are. You have been looking a little pale."
"I could ask you the same thing. I hear your great Lord Bascomb has turned Stormwind on it's ear." Goldenleaf stared hard at her waiting for some reaction. Reaching out to seize her arm. "Are you part of his plot against the lady Lothar?"
Astarii gasped and did nothing to remove his grip. "Yes, Goldenleaf, I am." She admitted truthfully.
"Why?" he cried out wanting to shake her. "You know I am loyal to Wyrnn and Lothar!"
"But that is why. You left Darnassus and became a resident of Stormwind. It's so far away from me." Astarii whimpered as his hand bit down hard.
Goldenleaf groaned and dropped his hold. "Not this again."
"Always this! Until you know just how much I love you. I will do anything for you. Goldenleaf, my love! Please just give me a chance." Astarii looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
"You are sick and obsessed, Astarii. I keep telling you I do not want anything to do with you, and you continue to ignore my feeling about this matter." Goldenleaf went to move past her, but she grabbed hold of his arm. "Damn it, Astarii! Don't you get it. You work for Bascomb. I am loyal to Wyrnn. We are enemies."
"Then I change sides." She said simply, as if that changed everything she had done in Bascomb's service.
"You sure are loyal." Goldenleaf rolled his eyes and shook her hold off. He turned and started his trek toward the portals. He needed to be in Pandaria yesterday, and certainly did not have time to repeat this scene with the Priestess.
Astarii followed him close. She refused to let him get away from her this time. "But I am! I am loyal to you."
"Fine." Goldenleaf spun on her. Astarii actually stepped back for once in her life from him. "If you are so loyal, tell me, what Bascomb has planned and how we can stop him."
"Lord Bascomb is unstoppable at this point. If you had ask this morning, there might have been a chance. Damiana and I made sure that Fox killed the commoner Fulbright with mind control. It was quite brilliant to have two people working as one on Bascomb's behalf. That way we could not be detected. Once one was about to loose control the other would pick up. But working with such a sad piece as Damiana was definitely a low part in the plan. I don't like her."
"Why would you do it to start with?" Goldenleaf cried out in confusion. At this rate, saving Lady Lothar would mean that Astarii would have to be arrested for her crime. She was clearly guilty, and that would upset Tyrande to no end. Varian would have to imprison Astarii for her actions. There could be a war between Darnassus and Stormwind! "Do you know what you have done?"
"I did what you said. I became more evil so that you would see my value and let me travel with you around Azeroth." Astarii threw her arms around his waist and buried her face against his chest. "I love you so."
"I never meant for you to go all evil on those I love!" Goldenleaf looked at the sky in frustration. "I thought you would join a battle ground, burn an Orc hut, kick a Gnome something reasonable."
"I want to kick Learen!" Astarii looked up quickly with hope in her eyes. "Does that count? If it doesn't I am willing to do the actual kicking."
"Astarii, I need to go to Pandaria. There is no time for me to stay here and help you sort through this mess." Goldenleaf pushed her back trying to get her away.
"Take me with you!" Astarii cried out and jumped up and down. The fists tight at her side. "If you don't I will do something terrible."
"Like what?" Goldenleaf slapped a hand to his forehead. He had no doubt she would do something. "Kick Learen?" Caught by the Love of Elune, that would solve two problems at once.
"I will tell Bascomb that you are going to Panadaria to save Lady Lothar." Astarii crossed her arms over her chest.
"How did you know it was to save Lady Lothar?" Goldenleaf could not believe she had actually put that together.
Astarii's mouth dropped. "I was right?" She smiled bright realizing that she had hit the nail on the head.
Yeah. She still had no clue about anything. Goldenleaf turned into a cat and raced away
"Come back and tell me if I was right!"
Author Note. I just want to let everyone know that I do have plans on starting a fic of one shots after Echo is done. The story will probably be called The Stromgarde Team and feature stories about all the different characters you have read about through this one. Also I drew a picture of Fox you can find it at my Deviantart page AMCM74 or just take out the spaces – amcm74 . deviantart art/The-Crimson-Fox-509316635 Any characters you want to see, let me know!