Chapter 46
Twisted Feelings
Jack Devereaux was released of his bonds and was given his papers of official pardon signed by King Wyrnn. He wanted to crush them in his hand, but who knew if the ones Lord Remington heldwith Lady Lothar's signature would do him any good at this point? He stood tall as the SI-7 Agents were led past him. The rough treatment they were receiving should have made pleased him. It did not. Looking over he saw the Priestess Damiana making her way through the halls toward the exit.
"So Lord Bascomb finally made his move against that bitch, Fox?" The words slipped off his tongue as if he truthfully meant them. Seemed lying was a skill he was still just as good at before he went soft. Hopefully it aided him as much as it had in the old days when he was working his way through the political scene.
Damiana turned ready to verbally flay the person who dared to speak to her in this rat hole. Seeing Jack, she hesitated. He was a Noble son of Stormwind, and one of Bascomb's chosen few. Lifting her robes to keep the pristine white hem from dragging on the dirty floor, she moved closer. "I just came from speaking with her. She is still full of herself, but that will not last much longer. King Wyrnn will be married to another soon, and Lady Lothar will be forgotten by the masses. In her place will be the stain of the traitor Crimson Fox."
"Married? To whom?" Jack could not hide the shock at that. The very idea that King Wyrnn would take such a bold move was baffling. "Excuse my lack of knowledge. Not much gets through these walls in the way of Royal entertainments."
"You wont like it." Damiana eyed the handsome young Rogue. She knew very little of him and wondered just how much she could trust him with. A little baiting always did go a long way with determining a person's worth, and Damiana had not qualms with making enemies. A bright smile when she decided to tell him. "Lord Bascomb has chosen your previous fiancee for the honor."
"Braelyn Hawke?" Jack almost lost his footing as he stumbled to the side. "King Wyrnn is going to marry my Braelyn? Are you sure?"
"Quite. Bascomb and Wyrnn already know all about the Blood Elf Archmage, which you were using to blackmail her with, anyway. She is a fine puppet that one. There is no doubt she has the look to be a Queen, and all the political weaknesses to keep her from being any sort of a threat to Lord Bascomb's agenda." Jack must have looked absolutely devastated as he stood in the darkness, because Damiana moved closer to take his hands in hers. "I know you are probably heart broken, but don't be. We all know a girl like her will never stay loyal long. After all she tossed her own people to the side the first chance she got."
"You do not know her at all." Jack growled out before he could stop himself. Knowing that he could give away his position
Damiana laughed and smiled up at him. "Of course I don't. Perhaps I should pen Rommath a letter, since he knows her so much better then you." The jab was hard and aimed right for Jake's pride.
Jack could see the delight in the Priestess's face as she twisted the metaphorical dagger in his chest. He knew that if they continued this course, he would loose his temper and expose himself. The last thing any of them could afford right now. "So Fox is being kept within the Stockades. Perhaps I can have a moment to gloat?"
Damiana contemplated it a moment. The arms crossing over her chest as she shook her head in refusal. "I really do not want to go back down to see her again today. There is only so much of that woman I can take."
"Why would I need you?" Jack gave her a wicked grin. "The woman was the blight of my SI-7 career and almost cost me my life. I think turnabout is fair play, don't you?"
"True, but Bascomb does not want her harmed physically. Not yet anyway, with her present condition." Damiana waved her hand at Jack, indicating it was alright for him to go. "I don't care what you do with her, as long as there is nothing to explain to Bascomb on my part."
Jack wasted no time finding his way down to the isolated area. The guards were kept well away from Fox. Coming to the door he drew in a deep breath. It had been a while since he had seen Fox. There could be no mistaking her pregnancy to his eyes. The gentle curves were fuller and gave her a delicate look on the small frame. Something about the scene before him twisted in his gut. He had the feeling he was witnessing untold cruelty and evil. Killing someone was one thing, this, well it was something worse. "Lady Lothar." He spoke up to bring her attention.
She looked up and strained to see him in the dim light. "Lord Devereaux? To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"
He moved over and reached up to test the chains. Feeling the solid links in his hands. There was no give at all. Looking down to her pale face he frowned. "I don't think there is a way to lower you down. I am sorry."
"Not as sorry as I am. I went from ruling a great Kingdom to wishing for a mere box to set my feet on. How sad is that" Fox chuckled softly.
"How can you laugh at a time like this, Lady? Until we manage to outmaneuver Bascomb, and rescue you, some of the people I love the most in the entire world very lives are in peril." Jack stepped back and paced the small room in visible frustration.
Fox almost felt pity for him. "You are speaking about Miss Hawke?"
"No I am speaking of the soon to be newly crowned Queen of Stormwind." Jack spat back. Then paused a moment wondering if Fox knew what was being planned.
"So you spoke with Damiana." Fox replied softly. "She is a chatty one, isn't she?"
Jack nodded and looked as if he could kill. "I did, was the most unpleasant conversation I have ever had."
"So, I take it you aren't playing with me, and are completely serious in your loyalty." Fox listened for any indication she was being played by the man in his tone.
"They have Lord Remmington and Miss Hawke in their clutches. Both of which I would take a sword through the chest for, Lady Lothar." Jack replied coolly, "How would you expect me to react?"
The truth in those words gave Fox the inclination to believe him. "Good, because I want you to get word to Varian and Braelyn that I am still alive. Tell King Wyrnn he needs to send Goldenleaf to Pandaria in search of Goya. Once she is returned to Stormwind, we will have the ability to undercut Bascomb."
"Goya? The Paladin? How is she going to be able to put Lord Bascomb in his place?"
"Jack, I will confide the most secret thing in all of Stormwind. You must not breathe a word to anyone, even Remmington and Braelyn." Fox looked toward the door to make sure not even a hint of a shadow had come any closer.
"You ask much of me."
"I am asking you to protect their lives. This knowledge could end us all at this point." Fox waited for him to move close before whispering low. "King Wyrnn and I are already married. Everything Bascomb forced me to do was through mind control and manipulation. Goya can prove all of this, since she officiated the ceremony for us at my parent's home on the canal. It was Varian's wish to protect the position of the child I am carrying. Right now, I an thanking the Light for his wisdom."
"What of the witnesses?" Jack felt himself starting to physically shake at the knowledge.
"Myles Fulbright was murdered by my own hand during the mind control. I did everything I could to protect Gracie, but Bascomb's men have control of her at the moment. If she breathes even a word, they will kill her." Fox looked Jack in the eyes. "You can not say a word of this to anyone besides King Wyrnn and the Druid Goldenleaf."
Jack closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes, your Highness. I will do my best to aid you in anyway possible."
"I thank you for that." Fox wavered on her toes, and slumped on the shackles.
Jack looked them over one last time. He gave a hard pull, but there was still no give. "I have no liking seeing you like this."
"I appriecate your desire to see to my current comfort, but even if you could, I would advise you against it. Your kindness makes you a suspect in Bascomb's ranks." Fox reminded him of the role he was to play.
"Have faith, we will get you out of here soon." Jack let go of the chain. He said no more as he left the room. Although in his heart he wanted to knock the guards unconcious, and lift their keys. Releasing all of the SI-7 Agents and storming the Main Keep had it's appeal.
Fox felt the pain in her wrists and shoulders starting to burn. She swallowed hard wishing there was some water. She might be making a good show of it, but she had no idea how long she could maintain this facade in her condition.
O0O0O0O0O0O0
"What do you mean the portals are closed to all none essential travel?" Goldenleaf grabbed hold of the guard and pulled the man into the air. The sneer on his lips was mere inches from the other man's face.
"I am sorry, but the orders came from the Main Keep. It is stamped with a Royal seal. All visitors are being turned away at the gates as well. Since the incident with the lady Lothar, Stormwind is going on high alert to keep the SI-7 agents from escaping." The man gasped on his words.
"Do I look like an SI-7 Agent?" Goldenleaf indicated to his Druid armor with a curt nod of his head.
"Golden, please." Astarii set a soft hand on his shoulder. "The man is just trying to do his job."
The poor guard nodded at that. "Please, heed the Priestess's words. This is not my personal doings. I just have to do what I am told."
"I do not take kindly to being held up." Goldenleaf dropped the man back to the ground. Turning he started to stomr away. "Cenarius's Ghost, this is going to eat into precious time I do not have."
"We could take a ship? I always loved sailing. It would be a fun little adventure for the two of us." Astarii offered as she watched Goldenleaf spinning in a circle taking in the heavily watched portal section of the city. "Or perhaps we can bribe a Mage to slip us out of the city undetected? That would be faster."
"As wonderful as those ideas are, we do not have the time to play with ships, and we could use the Mage. However, that would not get us back into the city. We are going to need a seal from the King to do that." Goldenleaf started walking to the main keep, but he looked disheartened. "I do not think that even I can gain a private audience with him right now though."
"Why ever not?" Astarii kept her quick steps going behind him. The lovely priest robes flowing out behind her as she followed close at his heels. To the casual observer she was practically a puppy chasing along behind it's master.
"let's see, I am known to play liazon to the SI-7 and it's no secret that Braelyn and I are friends. I doubt Bascomb is going to just allow me to move unfettered for very much longer. Especially once he gets his hands on the secret archives in the SI-7." Goldenleaf froze in his tracks. Then turned to Astarii quickly. "You don't think he will go over those immediately do you?"
"Goldenleaf, dear, it's Bascomb. Of course he is going to go over them. I have no doubt they are already on his desk and his most loyal men are already filtering through them for usful information. What are you afraid of?"
"As acquainted as you are with the situation of my involvement in Darnassus, it is not common knowledge outside our inner people's circle." Goldenleaf's voice sounded almost commanding in it's tone. "My heritage is not something I want proclaimed publicly just yet.
"They do not know that you are..." Astarii's eyes glowed brightly as she realized what he as speaking of. "It is for your own protection in moving around the whole of Azeroth!"
"And once I am exposed there is no place I will be safe." Goldenleaf ran a hand through his hair. The idea of being locked up in a Druid den to enter the Emerald Dream was not appealing either. "This just continues to get worse!"
Astarii bit her lip and looked up at his worried features. "Are there really people that would harm you?"
Goldenleaf did not answer. He just turned and gave her the most astonished look.
"I will not allow it!" Astarii placed a hand to her chest to try and stop her hammering heart. "let us go to the King. I can get you in to see him. No one will question my presence with in the Keep."
"What of Bascomb?" Goldenleaf looked at Astarii as if he had no idea who she was.
"If he questions you, I will assure him that I take complete and total responsibility for your actions." She huffed and took his hand, and dragged him toward the Keep.
"Astarii, you know I am going to ruin Bascomb. When he realizes that fall out of it will effect you personally." Goldenleaf warned her.
"I don't care what danger I am in. It is only you that matter in all the world to me."
O0O0O0O0O0O0O0
Lord Bascomb looked at Learen spinning around in Matthias Shaw's chair. "You certainly seem happy."
"Why wouldn't I be? I am now the Leader of the SI-7." Learen stopped his rotation and jumped to the top of the table. He looked as if he would break out in dance at any moment.
"As promised. You do realize that there isn't anyone under you at the moment. All of the men are merely borrowed Stormwind Guards. At some point you are going to need one hell of a vicious recruitment campaign." Bascomb moved to sit down in one of the chairs.
"That will come after I have the appropriate tests in place. I can't have just anyone entering my ranks." Learen crossed his arms. The unnerving look pinned on Bascomb just daring the Lord to question his position and reasoning. "They will be the beginning of an unstoppable war machine. Annual stabbing holidays will resound through out Azeroth, and Horde members will cower in hiding!"
"You can do as you see fit, Learen. Who am I to tell the man who dispatched Matthias Shaw what to do?" Bascomb watched the little Gnome and wondered if he should have some one keep an eye on the fellow. "So, now let's get down to business. If you would be so kind as to send the sealed files on to my office so that my men can go through them?"
"Nope."
"Excuse me?" Lord Bascomb actually jerked at that. Of all the things he had been expecting Learen to say to him, this was not one of them.
"Those files have been sealed for a reason, Lord Bascomb. If you want me to open them for you, just have King Wyrnn tell me personally which ones you want to see. Be very specific which ones as well. I will have them brought around post haste." Learen watched Lord Bascomb's left eye twitch.
"I do not think you understand what is going on in Stormwind at the moment, Learen. We need those files."
Learen shrugged, "I am loyal to the King, Lord Bascomb. The entire time I worked with you to take down the Lady Lothar, that was one thing. Going against the High King of the Alliance is something else entirely. I need his support to sanction my actions. You don't think I want any one to interfere with my stab the Iron Horde campaign? And don't think it's something that crack pot Mage Khadgar thought up either. This baby is all mine."
"Did you forget who you work for?" Bascomb stood up turning red.
Learen smiled and set a hand on his dagger. "I know exactly who I work for, Lord. I think it is you, who are forgetting who you are dealing with. Remember, I am the Gnome the betrayed the SI-7. It was me who put you in the position you are in now. Do you want to see what happens when you make an enemy of me? Because it can be arranged."
Lord Bascomb paled and shook his head as he sputtered. "How dare you! I will make you pay for this insolence!"
"Really? How are you going to go about that? Kill someone I love? You are shit out of luck there, Lord Bascomb. That has already happened. The only thing I love now is the sound of my victims gurgling on their last breath." Learen smiled brightly, but the purple eyes glowed with an almost evil light. "Now get out of my office. I have an organization to rebuilt in my image."
O0O0O0O0O0O
Braelyn sat back and watched Varian handling the daily court activities. She could see the paleness of his features and realized by the dark circles he was not sleeping. Then again neither was she. "Varian." she rose and moved to his side. A hand set on his arm as she peered up at him with large blue eyes. "I think you need to sit down and rest for a bit. You are over doing it."
Varian looked down to argue the point, but when Braelyn's face became unfocused for a moment, he nodded slowly.
Braelyn guided him over to the throne and sat down next to him. "You need to take better care of yourself. Stormwind and the Alliance really counts on your strength and leadership. We would be lost with out you."
Varian let out a loud sigh and leaned back closing his eyes for a moment. "How can I rest when I have no idea how Fox is doing. Bascomb has made it clear that he is going to kill her no matter what I do. I cannot stand the idea that I will never see her again, Braelyn. I know she is argumentative and difficult to control, but I love her for it."
Braelyn could not stop her hands from going out to pat his. The look on his face made her think wiskfully on her first love. If only Rommath had been this affected by her. Perhaps they would still be together, but then again no. There had been far to many obstacles between her and the Archmage to over come. From their race to opposing factions they had been doomed from the start. Varian's words drew her attention back to his face.
"I lost Tiffin, and there was the time I thought Fox had died on me, as well." Varian looked over at Braelyn with the most sorrowful blue eyes she had ever seen. "You know what I said when that happened? That Tiffin was my Sun, and Fox is my Moon. It's true, life with out Tiffin is so dark, but then Fox came along and she illuminated the darkness I was in. Now I feel as if that darkness is closing in around me again. There is no way to push it back with out Fox at my side. I do not want to fell like that ever again."
Braelyn felt the tears falling from her eyes at his beautiful confession. It twisted her heart in her chest to see someone this in love. The realization that love was real, and it was powerful. "I know there isn't much I can do to help you, or Fox right now. But I will do anything I can. Anything at all, your Majesty."
Varian felt one tear hit the back of his hand and looked away. He felt the guilt of making her suffer as he was. "I am sorry. It was not my intent to make you cry." He moved his hand out from under hers and forced a smile for her sake. "You really do try to help other in their worst moments, Braelyn. I guess you are a Little Star for me during this time." He pushed himself to his feet. Seeing the effect his melancholy was having on her. She was just as much a victim as he was. "I think you are right. I am allowing myself to grow weak in my worry. So I will retire to my chambers to rest. There isn't anything happening out here anyway."
Braelyn stared after him, and felt a tightening in her chest. What it would be like to have the love of a man like that. A man whose entire world revolved around his love of one woman. Braelyn realized this was the kind of man she wanted in her life. Someday, if she was lucky enough she might find someone just like her love struck King. Leaning her head back on the throne a deep sigh escaped her.\
Author Note: All Hail Learen! Ass kicker of Bascomb's ego and control! And Jack is... going to be a HERO? Yup yup.
Next chapter, Shaw finds help! Varian and Braelyn's Wedding, and Bascomb reveals why he is such an... upsetting trouble maker. Okay that was putting it mildly.
Remember to Fan and Fav for updates! Which could come faster with the right motivation *cough review cough*
IMPORTANT! The real creator of Goldenleaf and Learen has posted his first fiction: Conquest Capped by GreenWill, its all about Goldenleaf and Learen adventuring around Azeroth.