Chapter Four

Four horses galloped into the Crossroad's, spurring up sand around them and surprising the inhabitants of the small vital town, many of the stationed soldier's just waking up or on duty patrolling the borders. Elmsworth was already awake and stood at the center of the town, his head snapping to the left as he heard the approaching sound of clattering hooves. He turned to face Tavin and the returning Crow's, a grim look set on his face as he and Tavin crossed eyes. Tavin dismounted first and walked straight to Elmsworth, noticing under his breastplate, he had bandages wrapped around his torso. A silence permitted between the two for a moment, before Elmsworth spoke:

"I.. I could do little to stop her sir. She pulled a sword on me and I tried to stop her, but she retaliated and attacked me... She was gone before any guards could stop her, or rush after her sire." he said. Tavin shook his head, "It doesn't matter.. she's a traitor to the Kingdom now." he said harshly, brushing past Elmsworth and heading for the main "hall" of the Crossroad's.

Elmsworth glanced up to Hawkins, unable to hide the shock that accompanied Tavin's words.. his attitude was so emotionless and uncaring. Had he really turned his back on Aydeline because she sided with Varian? Hawkins silently understood his shook and with a sorrowful look just nodded to him, dismounting for his own horse. "What exactly happened.." Elmsworth asked in a tone so only he and Hawkins could hear. "She sided with Varian, declared her departure from Tavin, and practically betrayed us.." Hawkins said, pulling his white beret off his head, tucking it into his belt. Elmsworth sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Damn.." he finally said after a small pause. Hawkins nodded in agreement, watching as Tavin disappeared into the main hall.

"Aka'Magosh, King Tavin." an orc declared to him, banging his fist against his chest, giving Tavin a well respected greeting. Tavin nodded, "Throm-ka, General Gargok." Tavin said, nodding to the leader of the Warsong Outriders. "Any Horde still not influenced by Garrosh's suicidal charge are in your debt, your majesty." the Orc said, "In our dying hours you are the only one who has offered your hand." he said, then sweeping a hand towards a small planning table.

"The Warsong Outcast's are regrouping and trying to hold our borders and protect our retreats back into Mulgore." Gargok said, pointing at the indications where his men were currently located. Tavin raised his head at the words of "Outcasts." "Outcasts?" he reiterated curiously. The General nodded, rather sorrowfully. "Almost all member's of the Warsong Clan have placed the preservation of life above duty to their clan." he said. "Garrosh is the Chieftain of the Warsong Clan.. and yet to follow him would lead to pointless deaths and leave any refugees or survivors alone and stranded.. left to die." he said, carrying off, clenching his fist with silent anger. He shook his head, "We have exiled ourselves from our Clan and have decided to help those in dire need and preserve life.. Greatmother Geyah blessed us with these words." Gargok whispered, reaching into his breastplate and pulling up a beaded necklace with feathers and trinkets tied to it. He paid homage to it silently, before slipping it back into his breastplate.

Tavin nodded, "I understand." Gargok nodded, returning his attention to the planning map. "We have one final wave of survivors and refugee's to take back into Mulgore...but they are residing within Desolation Hold, trapped within as our remaining brother's fend off the attack's from Fort Triumph." he said.

Tavin nodded, "We can ride directly for the Hold then.. your men can fall every man and refugee out of the Hold, while my men hold off the main attack from Fort Triumph. You can fall back to Vendetta Point, round up the remaining survivors and fall back into Mulgore finally." The General nodded, "And then your men can fall back into Mulgore with us." Tavin shook his head at this though, "You need only to retreat into Mulgore, sadly we cannot join you General, for we have ships awaiting us to return us to Loraderon.. we will destroy the encampment then rush back towards Ratchet." Tavin said, hoping they could reach Ratchet before Varian would deploy men back into there.

Gargok nodded in understanding, "We are forever in your debt then, Lok'tra's will be sung about this in time surely." he said, patting the map with his heavily encased fist. Tavin smile slightly and nodded silently. He almost laughed at himself.. it had been the first time he had smiled since yesterday.. perhaps an accomplishment for him.

He pushed the thoughts from his mind as the General spoke up again, bringing him back to par. "I will ready my men then, and we will take the remaining refugee's that reside here... we will ride out towards the Wailing Cavern's, and cross the Great Divide at its smallest point, then travel down alongside the mountains, through the Overgrowth, and finally to Vendetta point... Then we will split, my men for the Hold, your's for the Fort and battlefield." he explained.

Tavin nodded in agreement, "Move as quickly as you can, but forget no one." he said. Gargok agreed, "We will move as quickly as possible your majesty." he said.

Gargok nodded and pounded his fist to his chest, "It will be done." he said, then walking off to rally the Outcasts.

Tavin paused for a moment, staying within the hall for moment, glancing over the map carefully, noticing the careful placements of the Outcast's, mainly around the Crossroad's and the northern roads to Durotar. He sighed and swept out of the hall, squinting slightly in the sudden morning sunlight. Tavin glanced over to the edge of the Crossroad's, spotting Hawkins talking with two troll's in ebony leather, their faces painted for war. Curious, Tavin embarked over to them, earning a glance from Hawkins as he approached.

"We have splendid news." Hawkins said, earning a raised eyebrow from Tavin. "We've discovered the main set of battle plans, placements and shipping order's for the Alliance are in a single chest in Fort Triumph... If were to obtain this chest, we could halt Varian's advancement into the Barren's for a long period of time, perhaps long enough to wear his patience thin and make him let go of the Barren's." Hawkins said, making Tavin tilt his head slightly in consideration.

"Thats certainly helpful... How would we pull it off?" Tavin said, pondering on it. Hawkins grinned elusively, glad to see his King pulling his mind off "other things", but also the grin held the answer to Tavin's question. If they could hand Varian a big enough loss at Fort Triumph, as well as make away with the plans.. the Alliance's advance into the Barren's would surely halt, and the remainder of the Horde could live peacefully in Mulgore... If Lordaeron pulled this off, it would certainly be a spectacular scenario to win...

Tavin nodded eagerly, "To Fort Triumph then.."

Tavin instantly noticed a change between the Southern Barren's and the Northern Barren's as they broke free from the Overgrowth. The Overgrowth was humid and sticky, completely contrast to the Barren's them self.. but as they broke free, Tavin felt and saw the vast difference. Smog and dust hung heavy in the air, while the smell of metal and fire seared Tavin's nose as he inhaled the stinging scent. Several of the men coughed and waved their hands in front of their nose, trying to rid the smell.

Gargok leveled up beside Tavin on his war mount, sniffing deeply in the air. "It has gotten worse since I was last here.." he commented, glancing around. "It was only this bad close to the Battlescar, I am surprised it has permitted this far." Tavin nodded slightly, "When was the last time you were down this far?.." he asked, cautiously glancing around too. "Several days I would like to say." Gargok whispered, keeping a steady hand on his reins.

In the far distance, Tavin could see the looming outline of the Gate, larger than Tavin had expected, its vastness bolted into the mountainside and sealed shut, not a sliver of doubt that no one could break through it. Silence permitted through the ranks as they neared closer and closer to Fort Triumph.. Tavin knew the men could and would handle themselves in the battle, but every soldier was still nervous.. you'd be stupid not to be nervous. These men were fighting their brothers, alot of them used to be Alliance soldiers, so it would be hard to fight that which you once stood for. Tavin sighed and grabbed the edge of his breastplate, pondering for a moment on nothing in particular.. just letting his mind wander as they slowly made their way for Fort Triumph.

"We will make it when the sun is at its peak and it retracts to night at half past noon.." Gargok said, whether rhetorical or not, Tavin replied: "It will be best to attack at night, when we have both the cover of night and the element of surprise." Gargok nodded in agreement, "If your men move fast enough, I have faith you can take the outer walls in moments, which will tip the scales in your favor."

Tavin nodded back, "Aye.. I merely hope all plays in our favor." he said. Gargok smiled toothily at him, "Do not forget, you hold cards in your favor at the moment." he commented. Tavin agreed, and the two fell silent again, returning to their private thoughts for the further duration of the march.

The sun was halfway to its climax as they reached the Ruins of Taurajo, the Great Gate behind sighed sorrowfully as he looked upon the burnt and destroyed remains of the camp. Gargok clenched his fist in hate. "Those humans will pay for this.." he whispered angrily. Tavin silently nodded in agreement.. Varian had to be stopped with this slaughter.

Gargok and Tavin halted, wheeling their mounts around to face the ranks. Gargok raised his hand and signaled for several riders to come forward. The selected broke away from the ranks, guiding a small group of refugee's with them. Gargok nodded silently and pounded his fist against his chest, not needing to say a word to the men who already knew what they were to do. Tavin, in turn, glanced at his own men. "Find some shade and get some rest men, we attack at night." he merely said.

Night, however, came perhaps to quickly. Tavin rose his head from its resting place to glance up in the sky, shocked to see how fast the sun had embarked through the sky. But he also knew that this short expanse of time before the battle would seem like an eternity, each man's nervousness building up adrenaline within them. He watched as Gargok rounded up his riders quickly, many of them clung to beaded necklaces and shamnastic trinkets, praying fervently to thier god's, asking the Greatmother and the elements to watch over them. Light bless us.. Tavin thought to himself as he saw this, bowing his head for a moment of prayer himself.

"King Tavin." a rough voice broke him from his reviere. Tavin glanced up to find Gargok and another orc waiting patiently beside him. "I need only a handful of my riders to pull the surviors out of the Hold.. the rest of my orc's I wish to place under your command; They can rush the outer wall and take it for your men to storm in, or wherever you need them." Gargok explained. Tavin nodded, "I will be honored to have these brave rider's serve with me." he said softly. The Orc beside Gargok put his fist to his chest. "And us you." he said roughly. "We leave in moments to break for the Hold..." Gargok said, slightly edging for Tavin to explain his movements as well.

"We shall circle back around this knoll and approach the hold from its northern side." Tavin explained. Gargok nodded in return, "Once we have emptied the Hold, we burn a large flame in answer." Gargok said. "I do hope I will see you again, your majesty." Gargok added. Tavin nodded and the both of them gripped each other's breastplates, a battle tradition of Orc's. "Lok'tar Ogar" Gargok said to Tavin, barring his large fangs to him. Tavin rattled Gargok's rough chestplate, "Esarus thar no'Darador." Tavin whispered in reply.

Gargok put his spiked helmet on and mounted his wolf, his rider's behind him doing the same. Gargok pounded his fist to his chest and spurred off towards the hold, his rider's on his heels. "What will you have us do?" the Orc beside Tavin asked. "I will lead the charge with you rider's first, and we will take the walls.. my men will quickly fall in and rush through the gates and take the Fort as best as they can." Tavin answered. "We cannot overthrow the Fort completly, we are only holding it until Gargok burns the flame." he added. The Orc nodded, "I understand." he said. Tavin nodded, "Ready your riders then."

What Varian didn't know nessecairly wouldn't kill him.

Tholomew smiled spitefully as he walked down the hallway through the Hold, his left hand clutching a copy of "The Light" with several prayer beads wrapped inbetween his fingers and across his hand. He made his way to his private quarters, briefly smiling and blessing a few soldiers that passed by. He finally reached his quarter's, drawing a small key from his pocket and letting himself in with a brief snick. The Reverand closed the door softly behind him, placing a small incantation over the door.

He turned around, smiling sweetly to the other inhabitant of the room.

"Hello Aydeline."

"Fire!"

The walls shook slightly as the trebuchet rolled forward slinging several encased balls of burning hay, the smoldering mixture streaking across the Battlescar and landing around Desolation Hold, illuminating it slightly for the opposites back at Fort Triumph. "They're not firing back.." the sergeant murmured aloud, wondering why those foul beasts weren't retaliating every Alliance move, like they normally would.

"Per-" one of his private's began to ask, but his words were stopped as he suddenly fell limp, a dagger protruding from his chest. The sergeant wrenched out his weapon, cursing aloud, but he was quickly silenced as a burning pain dug into his spine, his eyes growing wide as a hand clamped over his mouth, a masked face appearing beside his. "Shh..." it whispered, slowly setting him down.

Hawkins wiped his blade off on the soldier's tabard, burying back in its scabbard, glancing up to see Tavin briskly walking along the wall towards him. "The walls are taken sir.. from any point in the Fort, we look like normal soldier's." Hawkins said. Tavin nodded eagerly, "And the rest of the soldier's and rider's?" he asked in a whisper. "Waiting on the outside of the wall, below us... We have the trebuchet's stalled and the walls taken.. if we keep like this and don't raise attention, then the Orc's can retreat and make it away before anyone notices." Hawkins answered.

Tavin nodded again, "And what of the plans and the chest?" he asked. Hawkins grimaced under his mask, "For once, I fear The Crow's are useless, for if we try to steal them, then we will surely raise alarm because of our races.." he said, carrying off slightly. Tavin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. They needed those plans desperately.. but with the Crow's unable to break into the main keep because of so many Alliance soldiers.. they were at a momentary loss. He glanced down towards the dead soldiers nearby, suddenly gaining insight on a plan.

"I have an idea.." Tavin whispered suddenly.

Moonlight softly filtered in through the window, illuminating the room only to the slightest extent. In the center of the room was a large table with several maps pinned to it, also accompanied by a few spare swords and perhaps the most important object in the Fort right now: The Chest. It contained vital information and Varian's every future moves, as well as the shipping orders and details that would supply the expedition forces in the Barrens. Without it, Varian would be heavily stalled and motionless until everything was recovered or scrapped again. Varian thought his personal quarters was the safest place in the hold, and that no one would ever break into his quarters.

But Tavin was about to prove him wrong.

The door to his quarter's snicked open as Tavin used an officer's key to let himself in, quickly shutting the door behind him, and locking it again.. else he would surely raise suspicion if someone went to enter again. Trying to move quickly, Tavin glanced around the room frantically, instantly spotting the Chest, hurrying over to it. He reached for it, and suddenly a hand shot out of the darkness, startling him.

Tavin cursed aloud and jumped back, his, or rather the dead soldiers sword in his hand, ready to stab at whatever lay behind the curtain of shadows.

Matthias Shaw however stepped out of the shadows, his face emotionless, but his eyes emitting a dangerous look. "I would not try to steal these." Shaw said, placing his gloved hand on the Chest. Tavin still kept his sword ready, but still spoke to Shaw. "I respect you Shaw, but I will kill you if necessary." he said, just as emotionless as Shaw. He only laughed quietly in return, "There is only one man in this word I fear, and you are not he." Shaw said.

Tavin smiled wryly, "But I am is son." knowing who Shaw feared in combat.

Shaw chuckled again, "But it remains, you are not him.. nor do you have the same training or experience of him." he commented, his eyes glittering with amusement. "He is an assassin and you a paladin.. two men of opposite walks of life. You share his blood and name, yes.. but not his lifestyle." Silently, he drew two blades from hidden sheaths, "Which is why you cannot defeat me." he said.

Tavin shook his head, "Shaw, I am stronger than I look.. I may not be able to kill you, but I can surely restrain and bar you from refusing me this chest." Tavin whispered, rolling his sword in his hand slightly, already poised on the balls of his feet, ready to strike.

Before Shaw could reply, however, the sky was suddenly illuminated as the sky above desolation hold exploded in a brilliant flame; the signal Tavin was waiting for. The sudden flash had distracted Shaw slightly, and Tavin took advantage of this. He lunged for the Chest and seized a hold of it, launching towards the window. Tavin broke free from the window, hurtling outside, but not alone. Shaw jumped too, throwing several small daggers towards Tavin.

Tavin whacked several aside with the iron chest, but two buried themselves in his arms. Tavin ignored the pain and reached out with his hand, grabbing a hold of the Alliance banner that fluttered over the wall. The Fort was a flurry of activity as Alliance soldier's rushed to their posts, fearing an attack from the Hold across from them, not realizing that the flare was merely a signal for their only allies.

"Leave the Chest Tavin!" Shaw demanded, raising a dagger to throw at a momentarily defenseless Tavin. "And allow you to commit genocide?" he roared, "I would have thought you had more decency and humanity Shaw! Especially considering the way my father and Pathonia taught you!" he shouted. Tavin hurriedly glanced down, spotting a cart with sacks of food and supplies several meter's down. It was his only option, but he glanced up again to face Shaw. "Your fighting on the wrong side Shaw!" he said. "You would rather help those who invoked our hand?" Shaw asked, his eyes wild. Tavin sighed, "Your mother respected all walks of life.. why couldn't you." he said.

At the mention of Shaw's late mother, he grew livid, launching for Tavin with anger in his eyes. Tavin bounded away from the wall, pushing himself higher than Shaw, who flew under Tavin. Tavin instantly kicked down, his heel slamming into Shaw's shoulder. Shaw grunted in pain and rolled in midair, whipping his sword around, grazing Tavin across the cheek. With no sudden warning, they crashed into the cart, the feeble thing exploding into splinters and fragments, supplies and dust flying everywhere. Tavin coughed loudly and ignored his aches and pains, instead using the dust cloud as a diversion and rushing away towards the wall.

"Capture him!" Shaw's estranged voice came from behind Tavin, obviously angry that he allowed Tavin to invoke his emotions and momentarily gain victory over him. Tavin sprinted past soldier's, dodging misplaced and surprised attacks, his legs and lungs burning as he dove outside of the gate, spurring around the side of the wall and pressing himself against it.

The gate, on cue, slammed shut and Hawkins flitted up beside Tavin, urging him to leave. "The Orc's and our men are already falling back... I broke the gate mechanism and disabled a few things.. we should be able to place enough distance between us and them." he said, handing Tavin his horse's reins in the dark.

Tavin swung onto his steed, hugging the Chest with all his might, amazed he had manged to pull such feats off. He spurred the horse around and galloped off, Hawkins directly behind them as they rushed away from the Fort whom was now launching blind arrows and flares, trying to organize themselves at the same time.

As the Fort faded slightly from view, Tavin slowed his pace down, allowing himself and his horse to rest for a slight moment, his heart and adrenaline still pumping from the momentary fight with Shaw. It would have been a hard pressed fight and Shaw would have no doubt killed Tavin before he could have blinked or moved.. but invoking his anger and letting his own emotions blind him was the logical and only way Tavin gained leverage over him... enough leverage to escape and leave Shaw disappointed with himself.

His thoughts vanished and his head perked up as he heard sudden hooves approaching. Tavin wrung his reins around, squinting into the dark, trying to locate the cause of the sounds. As they drew closer, Tavin carefully drew his sword, wondering if it was simply Hawkins trying to catch back up. "Sire?" Hawkins called out from a different direction, adjusting Tavin's question slightly.

"Who is o-" he began to shout out challengingly, but he was cut short as suddenly a blur flashed past him and someone slammed into him, knocking him from his steed. The Chest fumbled out Tavin's grip, and he instantly growled in frustration, wondering who and how someone caught up to them so quickly. He kicked up instinctively, feeling his boot graze someone's arm or leg, accompanied by a small grunt. The Chest rattled however as the attacker gained a hold of it, their armor clanking as they remounted their steed. "Shit!" Tavin yelled, grabbing his own horses reins, spurring off after the ambusher, the tail of their white horse barely visible in the pitch black environment. Ignoring Hawkins and any sense of logic, Tavin pursed the person, wondering where they were leading Tavin.

The ground thrummed under them as they dashed across the humid Barrens. Some small firelight illuminated Tavin's view as the landscape suddenly dipped down, the rough dirt turning to cobble road under their horses hooves. This instantly told Tavin where he was:

Ratchet.

It was deserted though, a perfect place to lead Tavin to if the person hoped for a one on one bought with him. Hoping it was Shaw, wishing to pay Tavin back, Tavin sat up in the saddle, drawing closer to the person, close enough where Tavin suddenly jumped from his saddle, diving for the person, managing to wrap his arms around the persons lithe body.

Tavin wrenched the person from their saddle, dragging them down to the ground with Tavin, their bodies slamming into the cobbled street, the Chest banging to the ground, several hand widths away. Tavin reached for his sword, but a fist shot out of the darkness, stars flaring across Tavin's vision as his head was rammed by tempered steel. He groaned and stumbled up, raising his fists to defend himself again. By now, his eyes had become more adjusted to the moonlight, and he could make out the small framed outline of his attacker.

Tavin threw a kick at the person, knocking them sideways, their steel armor banging loudly as it met. The person twisted around and grabbed the Chest, dashing for a nearby illuminated household. Tavin dashed after them, still dazed from the blow from moments ago. He stumbled into the shop, squinting in the sudden firelight, his eyes darting around trying to locate the person. He drew his sword carefully, spotting the Chest lying on the counter ahead. Taking the bait, he moved towards it, jumping back knowingly as a cry rang out, a sword burying itself in the table in front of Tavin, where he had just been, cleaving it in half. Tavin finally gained insight on the thief, and gaped as his eyes gazed over Aydeline.

She gazed at him with burning hate, her eyes tainted by a sickening green, that of fel magick. "Aydeline.." Tavin whispered, nearly breaking at the sight of his lover brought to this state. "You bastard!" she screamed, swinging her sword around at him, Tavin blocking it instantly with a ring of steel. She pressed down upon him with impressive strength, but he reversed their positions quickly, pressing her against the wall, trying to keep them at a stalemate so he could speak with her.

"Why are you like this!" he shouted back, bringing his leg up to trap hers against the wall, leaving her no where to go. "Do you see what your arrogance and blindness has done Tavin?" she yelled, pushing him back and breaking away from him, lowering her sword and pointing an accusing finger at him. "Your so bent on pleasing the world, you forget to pay attention to those closest to you!" she said, her voice sounding so much different than he remembered. "What have you become Aydeline?" Tavin whispered, seeing the seething women before him, obviously possessed or influenced by some other entity or person. "Your not Aydeline, the true Aydeline." he said.

She shook with fury at this point, "Are you still comparing me to that bitch from months ago!" she said, charging at him with her sword. Tavin batted it aside, not allowing his emotions to control his movements. "Your worse than her!" he shouted, seeing the pain and anger build up further in her. Her hand suddenly snapped up, a bolt of green energy ripping from it, surprising Tavin as the fel magick slammed into his chest, tossing him across the room. Knowing now she was under the influence of some warlock or demon, Tavin surged up, determined to bring Aydeline back to her senses, his only restraint being that of death.

She swung at him, allowing her pain and frustration to drive her moves, powerful strokes meeting Tavin's calculated parries, her attacks winding her more quickly than Tavin's. Finally she disengaged from him, grabbing the Chest and dashing upstairs, obviously realizing her tactics were not working. He dashed up stairs after her, groaning as Aydeline disappeared over the balcony. Tavin dove out after her, dropping to the ground with a thud, hearing her run off towards the docks with the Chest in hand.

Sword in hand, Tavin rushed after her, their boots soon clanking across the wooden dock as they reached it. She drew her sword and cut the moor lines, jumping onto the deck of the ship. Tavin realized that Aydeline was trying to escape via the small sloop at the dock, the Alliance symbol on its sails. Varian.. Tavin thought grimly, finally catching up to her. He sprung across and tackled her, knocking her to the deck of the ship, the Chest sliding away from them. Aydeline flipped around, kicking Tavin viciously before springing to her feet and dashing across the deck for the Chest. She seized it and ran up deck to the helm. Tavin scurried after her, winded from the kick. Aydeline drew her sword, pointing in challengingly at Tavin, tears of both frustration and confusion were in her eyes.

"You've lost Tavin." she whispered, her voice gaining an odd baritone. Tavin took several careful steps closer, "What has done this to you, Aydeline?" he asked softly, cringing at the sight of her wicked green eyes. "You were supposed to be the hand that loved Lordaeron.. not the hand that destroyed it." he said, trying to invoke the real Aydeline buried beneath. "You were the queen that built Lordaeron, not the thief and traitor that destroyed it."

"STOP IT!" she screamed, dropping the Chest and swinging at Tavin angrily. Tavin parried the blow, surprised at the amount of force put behind it. They began exchanging blows back and forth, the silent night in Ratchet broken with the sound of grating steel as the two battled. Aydeline was unlike anyone else Tavin had faced; The fact that they trained together made the fight difficult, considering they knew every combination and sword stroke that the other was going to do, but also the fact that it was emotionally difficult to see his beloved brought this low and broken, forced to fight him, or so he hoped she was being forced. At first he had thought she was acting on her own behalf back at Fort Triumph.. but now hearing her voice and seeing her state, Tavin knew that wasn't true.

Aydeline's luck deviated as she slipped suddenly, her defenses faltering. Tavin quickly swung his leg around, clipping her own legs from under her and forcing to crash to the deck. She gripped her sword still, but hung her head in defeat, bracing herself for the final blow.

However, Tavin lowered his sword, shaking his head. "I will not kill you..." he whispered.

They both waited in silence for a moment, before Aydeline did the unexpected:

"But I will."

She twisted around, driving her sword into Tavin's side. Tavin's eyes widened in shock as he stumbled back, gripping his bleeding side. He glanced down at his hand, finding it covered in his own blood. He raised his eyes to meet Aydeline's. "How could you..?" She viciously kicked him, knocking him overboard. As Tavin fell, he saw a touch of regret in Aydeline's eyes.

He crashed into the water, his vision dimming slightly as his blood floated around him, staining the water. Tavin coughed loudly as he weakly pounded on the side of the ship, reaching for the net that draped over the ship. His strength faded from him and he couldn't grip it fully, instead he fell back into the water again, simply trying to stay afloat now.

The sloop slipped away from Tavin, cruising around the coast before fading from view in the night.

Tavin numbly slipped the Alliance soldier's plates off, letting them sink to the bottom, knowing his were still with Hawkins, thankfully. Released of the weight, Tavin painfully tried to wade toward the shore, knowing he had lost alot of blood already. As his vision began to dim however, a pair of feet pounded across the deck hurriedly. "He's here!" a voice shouted. Tavin recognized it as one of the Crow's. Another pair of feet crossed the deck, before several hands grabbed under his arms, pulling him up onto the dock.

"Dear heavens.." Hawkins murmured, glancing over Tavin's deep wound. "We... we have to go after her.." Tavin said, still feeling an edge of strength within him. Hawkins shook his head, "Not in your state."

Fed up, Tavin grabbed the edge of Hawkins mask, dragging him down to eye level. "That is an order.. mend me on the ship, but we are not loosing those plans." he croaked. Hawkins hesitated for a moment, before nodding. "Understood."

Aydeline stood on the deck of the ship, the Chest at her feet. It was a victory.. but a bitter one.

A silhouetted figure flitted up on the deck, masked by the darkness but Aydeline already knew who it was.

"You did well." he whispered, spotting the Chest at her feet. She grimaced in distaste, not affected by his puppet spell at the moment. She shivered and tried to press past him, but his arm flung up, barring her way. "But you froze at several points." he added. She backed up, facing him. "You took my one emotion and turned it into a rebellion.. you turned me against my kingdom, made me look like a bitch and a traitor..." she whispered angrily.

He backhanded her suddenly, the strength of the blow making her stumble back slightly, her heavy armor plates clanking. Aydeline exhaled sharply, letting the sting of the slap settle for a moment, before she wrenched a small dagger from her belt and swung around, the tip whistling for the man's neck. So much pent up fury against him, how he had taken one small emotion and twisted it to bend her to his will. She had spotted him in daytime in priests clothing, but his knowledge of puppetry and fel magick obviously denoted otherwise. She didn't even know his name.. she only knew he was hierarchy in Stormwind. He controlled her will, her movements and to an extent, her emotions. At times under his influence, she even questioned her love for Tavin.

It was this control now that stopped her when the blade was a hairbreadth away from his neck. He didn't even flinch a muscle. She cried out in frustration, trying to press her arm down, but like a stone it wouldn't budge. "Such anger.." he whispered, his soft hand flitting up to her face, caressing her cheek softly, but at the last moment he flicked his wrist and slapped her sharply, causing her cheek to redden with both pain and shame. She cringed and managed to tilt her head away from him.

"Sadistic bastard." she said through gritted teeth. He only cracked a smirk. "It would be wise to let go of your insubordination..." he remarked. Aydeline shivered at his words, which echoed the words from the Shade of Tavin awhile ago; which perhaps was the most sinister part of her life she dared to remember. She remained silent towards him, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked after a pause.

He smiled wryly and tipped his head, his icy grey glare burning to a wicked green like her own. "My master originally brought Lordaeron to it's knees.. I'm merely continuing his legacy."

Authors Note:

Sorry about lack of updates, but I tried to manage out a big chapter this time. I am still waiting on a review though, I would surely love one!

-Tavin