Chapter Two
Tavin placed his hands on the table silently, gazing out over the planning table it interest, his gaze sifting through the small wooden figures that dotted the landscape of the planning map. Elmsworth reached across him and dragged three wooden ships towards them, "docking" them at the shores of the outpost, also taking small wooden markers for the men and placing them at the outpost, each one representing ten men. "This is a cut on the arm for our western coast forces, but the remaining men and fleet over there can still hold their own, and need be, we can pull me from the center to aid." he said, placing a finger on the western edge of the Kingdom, where New Avalon once laid, but now housed Norrignton, a small village, in addition to a monastery to the north, more a memorial then a place of prayer... It was a request from Aydeline, considering her base and first faith within the Scarlet Crusade, before they became blind zealots, of course. "I will add a few men to patrol's on this coast, and extend the scouting distance a bit farther.. just in case." he said.
Tavin nodded, following the marked trail across the Great Sea, which ended in an X on the coast of Kalimdor, South of Ratchet, near Northwatch hold, the first place for Tavin to venture to, in order to meet with Varian and his Commanders, while the main force would travel ahead and make camp along the mountain's edge, away from any main battle, but still able to quickly snap to the edge of Mulgore, need be of course... and Tavin feared thats where they would end up, considering he suspected Varian would defiantly not retreat, nor give up on his attacks and fall back to Theramore... Arrogant bastard... Tavin thought to himself, cursing Varian's ambitious and aggressive attitude. He was the undisputed military leader of the Alliance, which was considerably good for the Alliance, but a curse to anything in his way... and right now, it seemed, the Barren's and the Horde's footholds there were the "things" in his way.
Tavin lowered his voice, "And the Crows?" he whispered. Elmsworth nodded, pointing to the four small gray markers precariously "placed" on one of the wooden ships. "They will be traveling unnoticed aboard your flagship, The Rogue Charity, sire." he answered in the same low tone. "Three of the finest, along with Hawkin's himself." he said. Tavin couldn't resist a smile as he learned Hawkin's would be joining him. His eyes twinkled with amusement, "Hawkin's is joining us, now is he?" he said humorously. "Then this shall be interesting.. for the most part, at least." Elmsworth chuckled quietly, "He does have a certain... dry, sense of humor." he admitted. Tavin nodded and blinked his eyes a few times, trying to clear his vision slightly.
"We have three platoon's joining us, nine officers, and myself... one hundred men." Elmsworth said, rather absentmindedly, as he glanced across the table again. Tavin nodded and gingerly picked up his wine glass on the edge of the table, taking a small sip from it. "You drink too much" A quiet voice said suddenly, appearing beside Tavin, her old plate and chain mail armor hidden partially beneath a fair colored cloak. Tavin raised and eyebrow at his wife, "And you drink too little." he commented. She cocked her head to the side, agreeing with him partially, "Perhaps.. but beside the matter.. when do we depart?" she asked.
Tavin glanced up at one of the panes of glass streaking down from the window, seeing it was still dark out, but beginning to lighten, just slightly. "Considering the time then.. I'd say less than an hour... break of dawn we leave." he answered. She nodded, placing her own armored hands down on the table. Her armor was similar to Tavin's, but it had less plates than his; it was less cumbersome, and yet at the same time less protecting. Had Tavin been in Uther's old armor, Tavin could have kept speed with her, considering Uther's armor was Light infused, and magically enchanted, so it weighed a feather to Tavin. But, instead, for this military operation, Tavin had decided to wear his former field regalia, from the Scourge War, complete with his rank in the hauberk, his unit on the pauldrons, his service stripes on the vambraces.. everything he slightly missed about those years... He pushed the thoughts from his mind, and glanced back up his Commander. "Then I shall see you in time, I'm going to return to my quarters for a few moments time."
Elmsworth nodded, and snapped a salute to Tavin, "Very well, you majesty... The men will be ready not a moment too late." he said, turning on heel and departing, making way to ready the men for the voyage ahead.
Tavin sighed wearily, taking a sip of his cranberry wine. "Feeling the weight of the crown.." she commented, placing her hand over Tavin's, glancing sideways at him, concern set in her amber eyes. Tavin smiled and reached over, pushing aside a strand of her hair that had fallen down over her eyes. "I've always felt the weight of it.. it just seems suddenly so heavy lately..." he said. "You don't bear it alone, you know." she murmured leaning closer to him. Tavin smiled sweetly at her, "That I don't, my love." he said, leaning in and kissing her for a short moment. She leaned back and looked down at the table for a moment, a thought suddenly crossing her. "Will Faux be joining us?" she asked curiously. Tavin shook his head, "Not that I know of... I believe he took a trip to Stormwind, on "business." Tavin said, emphasizing the business part with a hint of suspicion. No doubt it was Assassin business, or perhaps even SI:7 orders, even though Faux was retired from SI:7.
Then again.. you never do officially retire from being a rogue.. Tavin thought, remembering his father's humored words. So much he didn't know about his father, and yet, so much he did know about him. It made him merely wonder if what Tavin did know, was only the surface of the tales and stories that made up his father's hidden and public life. Perhaps he would never fully know, but in truth, Tavin was fully content with his knowledge of his father at the moment... the fact he could still be with his father and he was alive after the toll that both of them carried, from their careers, was a miracle.
"I'm going to go pray before we depart." Tavin whispered, breaking away from his train of thought, "Will you join me?" he said, glancing at Aydeline. She shook her head however, "I already did this morning, and I wish to talk to Elmsworth for a moment before we depart.. you have a session alone this time, my love." she said. Tavin nodded, and leaned in, kissing her on the forehead, "Very well.. I'll see you in a moment then." he said. She nodded, and slipped away, the scent of cinnamon following her as she left. Tavin turned back towards his quarters, silently drifting back towards them, rolling his shoulders along the way. He slipped into his quarters, leaving the door ajar slightly, grabbing his tome from his desk as he went, sitting down slowly on his bed, flipping the metal bound tome open, the soft scent of parchment and acrid smell of ink drifting up.
Quiet words drifted from his lips as he read several passages from the tome, flipping through the weathered pages. Duties of the Church... Respect, Tenacity, Compassion...He paused at compassion, reading the note scrawled underneath it, ..This is why compassion is taught last; only the wise and those fully understanding compassion may identify who is truly in need and who can grow on their own. He nodded his head in agreement, remembering the same words coming from the Archbishops mouth years ago, in Church, back in Stormwind. He continued flipping through his tome, and as he turned to one page, a letter appeared, folded parchment with the Seal of the Silver Hand on the back of it. Tavin slipped the letter open, smiling as he recognized Tirion's hand writing, scrawled across the parchment.
Tavin...
The day I met you in the backwoods of Western Plaguelands, I knew instantly, you were destined for greatness. You were my greatest student and pupil, and although you never knew it was me during your training, you still followed my words with direct precision, and even after I returned to the world of the living, you sacrificed yourself first to my cause.. something I found very interesting and heartfelt, more than a coincidence as I can say. And even throughout the war, you followed the virtues I taught you when you were first becoming a man, not allowing yourself to slip down to the level of the Scourge, always holding yourself at a higher standard... Of course, if you are reading this, perhaps for a second or third time, then I must say, I am missing you Tavin, and I hope you, me... One day, we will meet again Tavin..
-Tirion
Tavin blinked back the tears that entered his eyes, his thumb caressing Tirion's name at the bottom of the letter.. He did sorely miss Tirion, he was a second father to Tavin, a great mentor.. and a friend, most of all. Tavin kept this letter tucked away within his tome, reading it from time to time for a bit of happiness, as it always gave Tavin a sense of joy to read his former mentor's words. He folded the letter again, and tucked it carefully away back in the tome, before closing it shut. As all sound faded around him, he could finally hear the sounds in the distant, the shouting of Officers mainly, which told him it was nearly departure time... He took the loose chain that ran along the tome's spine, and wrapped it around his waist, threading it on small loop on the opposite side of his belt, allowing the tome to hang from his waist and be only a fingerswidth away. Satisfied, he stepped out of the room, locking it behind him, then making his way back for the dock's.
It was beginning to get lighter outside, as the sun would soon be peaking over the horizon, ready to make its summit up into the sky, but before it would reach its peak, they would already be sailing towards the coast of Kalimdor, to face Light know's what. He instantly spotted Aydeline and Elmsworth standing on a small hill adjacent to the docks, a dossier placed in Elmsworth hand, a quill in his opposite hand. Three Officer's stood in front of them, their armor identical with the white painted numeral two on their shoulder plates. Their ranks were welded onto the front of their hauberks, each a sword pointed down with a gold bar behind it, signifying their ranks as Knight-Lieutenant. Tavin stepped up, and they saluted him, instantly recognizing the Gold helmet with a bar under it; his Field Marshall rank.
Elmsworth glanced back, and saluted Tavin as well, before dropping his gaze back to the dossier. He motioned towards the three Officers, "Your majesty, Knight-Lieutenant's Yager, Tellmund and Ungrow." he explained. "Commanding Officer's of our three platoons." Tavin nodded, "At ease." he whispered, stepping up beside Aydeline. "Every man is accounted for, sir.. we only await you signal to deploy." Elmsworth said, tucking his quill in the dossier, and looking up at Tavin. Tavin nodded, "Ready the men to deploy then, The Charity will lead out first." he said. Elmsworth nodded back in agreement, "I'll swap ships mid-day then, sir, and meet you then." he said, saluting Tavin. He saluted back, and with Aydeline and the Officer named Yager, they set off for The Charity.
Tavin's flagship awaited them in the center of the dock, the platoon of men filed in front of it, awaiting patiently in formation. Tavin and Aydeline brisked past them, then boarded the ship, accompanied by the shout of Yager for the men to fall in on the ship. Tavin glanced up, making eye contact with the navigator of the ship, and with a single hand movement, the navigator nodded and began shouting order's to the deck hands. Tavin sighed and slipped into the hold, making way past the hammocks and tables for the Captain's Quarter's in the back, which, oddly, were pitch black...
Tavin and Aydeline slipped in, Tavin closing the door behind them, leaving them in pitch black darkness.
But something was amiss.
Tavin carefully made his way across the cabin, and grabbed a hold of the the curtain rod, pulling it up, and locking it above the window, light instantly flooding into the room. He paused for a moment, and smiled as he felt a familiar presence in the room. "If at first you don't succeed..." he whispered, pausing for the telltale reply.
"Then your not a Crow." the whisper finally came.
Tavin grinned and turned around, finding himself looking at his General, Aleric Hawkin's, his deep set eyes touched by a hint of humor. He wore smooth black leather armor that fit tightly around his muscled frame. Two belt's encircled his waist, one hanging more of his hip at an angle, both filled with knives and pouches, all of which Tavin knew Aleric could pull out and throw or use, before Tavin could even flinch. He wore a black mask that covered his whole face otherwise, a pure white beret atop his head, the dulled, flint gray insignia of the Crow's pinned to the center of the beret. On his chest, on the left, was the dull rank insignia of a General, only one rank below Tavin.
"You look older, your majesty." Hawkin's commented, reaching up and removing his beret and mask, folding and tucking the beret into his belt. Tavin looked up and nodded slightly, "I feel it, after recent events of course." he whispered. Hawkin's nodded, "I wish you would have let me act when the Shade was amongst us." he said. Tavin smiled wearily, "I had to keep some peace and do that on my own, General.. I do wish you understand so." he said. Hawkin's nodded and sighed, "I do." he said, dropping the conversation and turning to Aydeline, who had been silent this whole time.
"And the illustrious Queen Aydeline, I finally meet you face to face." he said, bowing to her. Over the course of their ruling of the Kingdom, Aydeline had never met a Crow once, even though she knew about them. It was only Tavin or Hroun that met with them, or even once Elmsworth. Not many people knew about them, and yet fewer ever met one. They had always met Tavin in the field, or while he was away, never in the Kingdom. She nodded and smiled, "And I meet the man behind the death's of so many of our enemy's" she said, amusing Aleric. He chuckled, "Fair enough, but I'm hardly a man, now aren't I?" he said. "Where are the other men?" Tavin asked, the thought crossing his mind. Aleric pointed down, "Theres another room directly below this one, I believe it's supposed to be a mock quarters' for hiding." he answered. "Either way, me and my men are staying down there, out of sight." Tavin nodded, "And how will you meet with me or otherwise, without alerting any men?" he asked. Aleric smiled wryly, and reached behind him, grabbing a hold of a small wooden ship replica, placed there for decoration, or so Tavin thought. He pushed it forward, and several gears clicked, before a small part of the floor slid away, revealing a way to the downstairs.
"Like I said, hiding." he said. He tipped an imaginary hat to Tavin, then jumped down, disappearing into the quarters below, the ship returning to its normal position and the floor sliding back to normal. Tavin couldn't hide his shock, and he raised an eyebrow. "Even I didn't even know about that.." he whispered, shaking his head, but slightly humored by it. Aydeline sighed, "Another two or so days back towards Kalimdor..." she murmured, reaching up and beginning to unbuckle her armor; she wasn't going to wear it for the entire duration of the voyage, Nor was Tavin either. They both removed their armor in silence, placing them upon bolted armor stands in opposite corners, Tavin however keeping his belt with the Ashbringer on. "I'm going to talk to the navigator and lieutenant for a moment.." he whispered, glancing to Aydeline. She nodded silently, and he exited the quarters, closing the door behind him.
The hold was filled with many men in each hammock, their sets of armor underneath the hammocks, all piled neatly and orderly. They saluted and nodded to Tavin, some whispering, "Your majesty" or "Marshall" He exited the hold and slipped around up the stairs, onto the deck, finding the navigator behind the helm, carefully controlling the rudder as the wind carried them out along the seas. "We will be parallel with Kul Tiras by Mid-day, and off the coast of Northrend, sire." he said. Tavin nodded, "But we will still be in warmer waters, correct?" he asked. The navigator nodded, "Aye sir, we'll probably be as close to the Maelstrom as possible, but without being affected by it.. thankfully we'll receive high winds from being that close though." he answered. Tavin nodded again, "Very good then." he said, stepping away, and making his way towards the bow of the ship, where he hoped Lieutenant Yager would be.
Sure enough, the Lieutenant was consulting with several of his Sergeant's. As he approached, they all snapped to attention, and saluted Tavin. He nodded, "Lieutenant." he whispered, also acknowledging the Sergeant's. "I've allowed the men to be at free will and be more relaxed, allowing them to remove their armor as well... is this alright, sir?" he asked. Tavin nodded, "Yes, I know the men can ready themselves in moments notice." he said, pride touching his voice at the well training of the Marines. Yager smiled, "The men will take that as a compliment sir." he said with a touch of humor. Tavin smiled back, "I intend that, I was merely just checking in although, I will be in my quarter's if you need me." he said. Yager nodded and saluted him, and Tavin departed, making way back towards the quarters.
Tavin sighed, rolling his shoulder's, probably for the umpteenth time for the morning. He slipped into his quarters, surprised to suddenly hear the crashing of waves and the scent of sea salt so clearly in his quarters. He glanced over and found Aydeline standing, looking out the window, with it open, her hair down and slightly tousled. Tavin stepped up behind her, bringing her into his arms. "They can't leave anything well enough alone and be satisfied with what they've got." she whispered, obviously commenting on Garrosh and Varian. Tavin sighed, "I don't believe it's so much of territory, as it is animosity.. especially with Varian. If he could, he'd end every orc's life on Azeroth." Tavin whispered back. She shook her head, "Arrogant and foolish ba-" But Tavin silenced her, "Shh.." he murmured. "We'll perform the negotiations and protection's needed when the time comes." he said. "I hope." she said, a bit of doubt touching her voice, at least to Varian's side of the negotiations, if they were even granted any.
Tavin leaned in, bringing his lips right next to her ear, "Someone once told me, Have Hope." he whispered. She smiled slightly, recognizing her own words. "But that was a different time, a different place... a different war." she murmured in reply. She turned around, trying to slip away from Tavin, but his grip held and she found herself still in his arms, but now facing him. Tavin leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips, trying to calm her down. They pulled apart and she laid her head on his chest, nuzzling it slightly. "I only hope we can do this quickly and without any blood shed." she admitted, finally. Tavin nodded in agreement, "I do too... It'd be fighting our own brothers, essentially." he said.
Tavin glanced outside, the sun was only halfway up in the sky, meaning it was still a few hours from mid-day, where Elmsworth would board with them and they would consult.. Tavin slipped away and moved around to his small "mobile" desk, sitting down behind it, finding a dossier from Aleric already placed upon it, along with a map of the Barren's and the shores. Tavin sighed, but before he could reach for the dossier, Aydeline's hand stayed him, and she slipped into his lap, glad she was small enough to always do that with Tavin.
"Who is Aleric, honestly?" Aydeline suddenly murmured, curious about the leader of the Crow's, the Dove as he was called. Tavin leaned back slightly, his arm slipping around her waist as he thought the best way to answer the question. "He is many things, honestly.. in life, I believe he was a Captain or Officer of sort, but in death, he was instantly recruited as a Deathstalker..." Tavin said, trailing off for a moment. "Life went on and he did many things, too many to name even, I hardly know alot about him, but I was surprised when he stayed awake and offered his services to me... He's the only former Deathstalker in the Crow's, and I wish there was more, honestley." he said.
Aydeline raised an eyebrow, "Why?" she asked. "Deathstalkers have no need to eat, drink, sleep, rest, or even breathe air... They never feel physically tired and possess tremendous willpower." Tavin answered, "Being Forsaken, they can remain submerged in water indefinitely without any need to rise, and can wait as long as it takes for their target to arrive... they can even pose as if they were dead.. which, essentially they are, of course." he said. "Resources and time are of no matter to them, the only thing they need, is patience." Tavin said, his tone obviously noting that Aleric definatly had patience.
Aydeline nodded, "Whilst those in, say SI:7, or the Shattered Hand, still have the tendencies of life, and have to breath, eat, sleep.. and so on." she commented, causing Tavin to nod in agreement. "The Humans, Orc's and other short lived races, strive to fit everything they can within a single life span, of normally sixty seasons.. being arrogant, proud.. strong-willed, we often don't submit ourselves to more reprising and patient roles as rogues, assassin's, or anything that requires patience and time. We rather for the short lived, glorious and instant life of a warrior, or even to just make ends meet as whatever offers." Tavin murmured. "But some learn to slow their paces down and train a different path... some learn the arcane and studies of magic, whilst other's perfect the perfect way to wait.. to live.. to kill." he said, slowly carrying off, as his father's image strayed into his mind with every word.
"Both of us could learn to adapt to those lifestyles... considering we're immortal." Aydeline whispered. Tavin sighed slighty, "Immortal.." he whispred, letting the word roll off his tongue. Sometimes, he even forgot that he was immortal. There was some truth in Aydeline's words, although.. "But we have a Kingdom to protect, and a reputation to uphold.. I was put on the throne as a warrior of the Light, I will live as one.. and I will die as one." he said, pushing the thought of death from his mind, or trying too.. there was too much of it, lately.
Aydeline silently agreed with him, the harsher reality of the words bringing a few nightmares back to life in her mind.. espeically the most recent one.. she still had never told Tavin.
"But, we still have life ahead of us, a long time to live, and once all this conflict is over.. the better everything will be." Tavin whispered in her ear, comforting her, and himself too, slightly. His hand slipped under the edge of her jacket, carresing her skin gently, easing the thoughts from her mind, Tavin trying to put a more lighter tone on the situation and conversation. Aydeline turned and looked at him, "At least, if all else fails.. I have you." she whispered, leaning in towards him. Tavin met her halfway with a kiss, "And I, you." he murmured back against her lips.