Chapter 50
The Unexpected Future
Fox's spirit was not broken, but her body had seen better days. She was given little water and nothing to eat. The men, if you could call them that, who attended her were not shy about discussing their plans. They were to stress her into early labor and take the Royal issue to Bascomb. After that, no one would come to aid her again.
The chains were thick. Fox had no doubt with the right tools she could pick the locks. If she could reach. A deep sigh escaped her and she let her head fall back against the damp rock. The brown eyes closed and she wondered how Stromgarde was getting alone. Genn would have it firmly in hand. The thought alone left a smile on her lips. The Gilnean King was closer to his home and revenge against the Forsaken would keep give him something to live for.
The Vanguard's attack of the Dark Portal would be forming. Fox had no idea what Vol'jin would do with the Horde. She knew that Khadgar would be leading the forces with Maraad behind him. Fox had been to Outlands. A hand dropping to her stomach she had known that she would not be going to Draenor.
There was a sudden change in the dark cavern. She could not put her finger on it, but it caused her head to rise. It was not the loud stomping of the guard coming to give her a few drops of water. This was a subtle change. If anything it was the stillness and muffling silence that was the give away to a nearby presence.
"You can show yourself! I am chained and alone." Fox said with a confidence she did not feel.
It was a moment after the statement they group appeared. Fox had thought nothing could shock her anymore. But seeing Sylvanas and a small army or Forsaken Rogues appearing before her achieved that goal. Instinctively, Fox tried to rise, but lack of food and good sleep caused her to waver from side to side and sink right back down. Even free of her chains, Fox was done for in her condition.
Sylvanas turned and handed her bow to one of her men. Moving forward to pin her red eyes on the daughter of Lothar. "I thought the image of you chained and beaten would please me." She moved forward with a roll of her hips and knelt down at Fox's side. Looking over the chains with a slow shake of her head. Then turning her attention to Fox's large pregnant belly. "It actually infuriates me."
"Give me a quick death." Fox snarled. "I deserve that much."
"Death? Oh no. Lady Lothar. I have not come to kill you." A cold hand dropped almost gently to touch the baby inside Fox's stomach. As if sensing the one reaching out, the baby lurched hard and gave a sharp kick. Sylvanas smiled, and the forced it away. "I came to save the child."
"Why would you do that?" Fox pushed Sylvanas's hands away and cradled herself in a protective motion.
"Leave us." Sylvanas reached down into her pack and searched around for her lock picks. "I need to speak with Lady Lothar alone. She is no threat to me in her condition. You can watch the entrance. If anyone shows up, see them on their way."
"Yes, Dark Lady!" The cry arose.
The Rogues faded away and Sylvanas waited a few moments to give them time to exit. Then she went about the task of freeing Fox. "I told you that I had a Bronze Dragon under my control for a short time, did I not?"
Fox was uneasy watching Sylvanas work. They were not friend, or allies. At best they were rivals. Fox longed to bring the Banshee Queen to justice for all she had killed in Hillsbrad and the attempt of taking Arie Peak and Arathi. Swallowing hard, even though her mouth was dry, Fox replied with a short. "Yes.'
"I told you after that we were connected." Sylvanas did not look up. "The blasted dragon sought a revenge for it's fate, even as it allowed me to carry out the very acts that allowed it."
"What did it do?"
Sylvanas froze on the last lock and looked close at Fox. "It showed me the worst day of my life. I know what you are thinking. It was the day Arthas killed me and raised me as a undead. I thought that too. I was wrong."
Fox felt her heart tighten in her chest. Not much could be trump the acts of the Lich King's cruelty. "And it had to do with me?"
"It had to do with your son, Adamant Wyrnn."
"I am having a daughter." Fox said coldly.
"You are having a son." Sylvanas drew a deep pained breath. "A wonderful powerful son that melted the ice around my heart and dies trying to protect me."
Fox felt her mouth moving as she tried to form words. The horror at the very idea could have stopped her heart.
"I know you hate me, you always will. That is why I have no qualm telling you."
Fox found her voice. "I will never allow it. Never!"
"And I hope you succeed in keeping us apart. I have already watched him die. I could not bear it. In my selfishness I brought him back. A Wyrnn Death Knight, as I told you. To be without him was the worst fate, but no. The Bronze knew it as well. The worst fate of watching the only person you care about die and then bringing them back for one glorious moment. Then he opened his eyes. Eyes, just like yours, Fox, and there was nothing there. He did not know himself. He did not know me." For a moment it looked like Sylvanas would cry. She closed her eyes tightly and sighed. Opening to look at Fox. "You must stop this future. You will continue to hate me and keep Adamant away from me. In return, I will take revenge on the one who killed him."
"And who is that?" Fox was equally interested in this revelation.
"Lord Bascomb, of Stormwind's Noble House of Lord." Sylvanas saw the understanding in Fox's eyes. "That man has played his last dirty trick, on my title of Banshee Queen, I swear it!"
Fox tried to come to her feet again, but before she could sink Sylvanas reached out to steady her. "Very well Dark Lady, let us get to Stormwind so you can finish him for me."
"At last, something we agree on."
O0O0O0O0O0O0
"I sent him back into battle against the Horde." Shaw watched Sheylann's face pale in rage. "I know you are angry about it, but Learen is a good fighter. We need him."
"I can not believe you! He tried to kill you and take over the SI-7." The feet stomped as the Druid tried to contain her rage.
Shaw chuckled as he turned back to his desk laden with papers. "You are right he tried to kill me. But you are wrong about the SI-7. He did take it over, and he will not be doing so again. Learen hated being in charge. Next time he finds himself questioning my leadership, I am going to offer to hand over control to him. The look on his face." Shaw chuckled and lifted few stark white papers with a flourish of black ink dancing over them.
"But I want to kill him!" Sheylann started to pace. Then stopped seeing Shaw staring at her hard. "What about maim him? Just a little."
"What we need to be doing is finding Fox and returning her to Stormwind." Shaw inclined his head. "I have already formed teams and sent them out. Bascomb is shrewd. She is either in a place so deep and dark it will be over looked, or he has her right under our noses. Do you think he would keep her in the Kingdom, or move her to Horde lands? What about through the Portal? Outlands even?"
Sheylann paused. "The Deadmines."
Shaw looked over at her. "The Deadmines?"
"It's a deep dark hole, that is right under our noses. It has been over looked not once, but three times in recent history." Sheylann pointed out. "It is everything you said."
"I will ride out immediately." Shaw dropped the papers and they floated to the floor.
Sheylann rushed behind him. "I am coming with you."
"I would say no, but is is likely Fox is in terrible condition. She will need your aid." Shaw nodded and shouted "Some one fetch me Jack! I need a runner for the Main Keep. If this proves to be true and Fox is safely retrieved from the Deadmines I will have my men on Bascomb before the night is over."
O0O0O0O0O0O0
Goldenleaf had left with Astarii, but he was returning with Goya. The golden Paladin stood with the wind moving through her hair on the deck of the large Alliance vessel. The harbor was just in sight and Goldenleaf reached out to pull the hood of her cloak over her head. She leaned back and searched his expression with large blue eyes.
"We can not have anyone recognizing you before we know it is safe." He settled a hand on her shoulder. "There is no telling what has happened since I left."
"Which is why we should have brought along your Priestess. She has sway over Lord Bascomb and his men. I have seen it in the Cathedral first hand." Goya reached up to push the golden hair back under her hood.
"Lord Bascomb will have no control after you give your statement and show the document. Speaking of that, is it safe?"
Goya's pressed her lips tight and shook her head. "I made sure to stash it in a good spot. If you are right and Lord Bascomb has control over the Cathedral of Light, there no telling if he has gotten to it or not."
Goldenleaf looked on quietly with no words. He was just about sick enough of everything going on in Stormwind to actually be the one to pick the fight with Lord Bascomb out right. He had no doubt that he could take on most of Bascomb's men. And what would they do to him if he did? He was a Stormrage when everything was said and done. A son of Elune's own Tyrande Whisperwind. What would they do? Absolutely nothing.
O0O0O0O0O0O0
Varian patted Seb's neck. The gryphon narrowed his eyes and pecked at him.
"Seb!" Braelyn moved forward to take the beast's head in her hands. "You must show him more respect, he is your master and your King."
Varian laughed looking down at her. "Do you think he cares at all for that?"
Braelyn leaned back and smiled up at him. "He can be made to mind. Fox just spoiled him unmercifully." The moment Varian's face dropped, Braelyn realized what she had said. "I am sorry, I keep forgetting she is gone."
"She will not be gone for long. Shaw is back and he will find her."
"And when he does?" Braelyn looked back at Seb. What could she say? She knew exactly what was going to happen. Fox would be returned to Stormwind, Varian would cleave Bascomb's head from his shoulders, and her time as Queen of Stormwind would come to an end. Everything would be as it should. Brae felt tears forming in her eyes. Except for the fact that she had come to realize she was very much in love with King Varian Wyrnn.
"Are you alright, Brae?" Varian had turned to stare at her. The expression of sadness on her face. "Are you scared what Bascomb will do? Because you do not have to be. I will take care of everything and protect you and your family from any possible backlash."
"I know that, your Majesty." Braelyn let go of Seb.
"Your Majesty!" A man rushed in. "They need you up at the Main Keep. Spy Master Shaw has sent word with two of his agents."
"Did you get their names?"
"Yes, sir. It is Jack and another fellow they called Oliver Strife. It seems rather urgent." The man said.
"Very well." Varian turned and extended his arm. "Please accompany me, no matter what the news is, I think I could use you at my side."
Brae bite her lip and reached out to set a hand on his arm. It was not like anymore trouble could befall them.
Author Note: I LIVE! You can all blame MOONGUARD. (No, I am not Rping Fox) It has kidnapped my free time. You can thank Mythique and Chelinka for sending a search party to drag me back. (an no its not edited. I am being lazy )