Michael

"So. Your highness could you get off me?"

She smiled coyly at me and eventually she did, she sheathed her dagger and she began walking towards her bow. This 'Queen'bent over and picked up the menacing weapon; while she did, she turned around and shot me a piercing gaze with her dark red eyes. I took this as my chance; I drew my sidearm, flicked the safety and cocked the hammer. She smirked slightly and tilted her head, almost as if she expected me to have pulled it.

"Bitch, where am I?"

She stabbed me with her eyes, a deep ruby red tinged with blackness. She was angered; hatred welled within her and her body shook. I stared at her and she stared right back at me. If it weren't for my leg I'd say she was attractive, and un-nerving. I enjoyed her face. She was a strange beauty I do have to say.

"You are in no position to ask me questions, and as I said earlier. You ought to show a Queen more respect."

I bit my tongue and stayed silent. It really started to hurt now. My leg started to sear and I started sweating. I shook my head and started breathing heavily. My vision blurred and my skin felt like it boiled. I huffed as I struggled to keep my pistol leveled. I had to wipe sweat from my eyes. It did little to remove the blurring. The entire time she kept her eyes on me, her expression slowly changing. She started smiling, white fangs contrasting against her red lips and pale blue skin. My leg started bleeding profusely. My composure began cracking.

"Hugh, huuh.. You… you're doing this." I managed to pant out. I didn't know how, but she was doing this. It felt as if the bone was being rotated to cut more flesh. The pain was… visceral, unreal. Scarcely have I ever felt this way. The sweat beaded down my face, and my throat itched from the dryness. I huffed and gave a couple coughs. My mind was barely able to hold on, the pain was growing exponentially. It was nothing like I've ever felt before. It had gone far beyond pleasing, or bearable, even by my standards. By now I was hyperventilating.

"STOP THIS NOW!" I managed to yell.

She smiled at me as she brought her hand up in a clenched fist. It shook with a methodic rhythm; each movement of her hand followed a wave or sensation of pain increasing in my body. I lost all concentration and bodily control. Letting my pistol go I screamed out loud for the first time since I broke the leg. The pain changed now. It shifted from my leg to my mind. I couldn't even tell I had other appendages now. I could feel my head tearing, I held either temple on my skull with hands while I screamed as loud as my throat could allow. She began laughing now.

"This pain you feel now is a fraction of what I've felt." Her voice felt metallic and hollow, almost as if it could echo.

I begged her, "End this… Please.."

I never say please. Never.

She looked at me with disgust. I would have too. The times in which our roles would have been reversed I have looked at people with disgust for uttering such a phrase. "Please…" But here I was, saying something I had grown to detest hearing. Her response came with such vehement anger, it was in a tone I could only aspire to.

"Hmph. Humans; so weak, fragile."

It was a statement I agreed with wholeheartedly, current position notwithstanding however. After a few more seconds she did something that surprised me, something that, if I were in her position I would not have done. Her hand dropped, and as her fingers left their fist position the pain left. Relief filled my body and following it, slight pleasure. The pain was horrific, but as I say; the only thing that proves life is pain. In my chest my body slightly thanked her. The remaining waves of pain however hated her. I felt so many emotions in such a short time with a person I know nothing about, it was certainly exciting. I wanted to strangle her. But, I wanted her to bring me pain again, I wanted her to do.. Regardless, I've never felt more conflicted.

I huffed as I attempted to catch my breath, she was much more violent than me, and I allowed my mind to wander. Then I thought aloud.

"You probably fuck like a demon."

She took a step back, eyes widening with surprise.

"I haven't had a good angry fuck in ages." Looking her over again I continued. "And I, *huff* do believe you'd fuck like a whore with her ass on fire."

Her face contorted it's self in a variety of expressions before it settled on disgust.

"How dare you speak with such vulgar licentiousness! If you were any of my subjects I'd have had you burned alive for such insole-"

"Then why don't you!" I interrupted; she re-opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. She slowly stepped towards me. Changing the subject she spoke without emotion.

"Are you a spy human."

I shook my head, "No"

She stared at me, searching my eyes and face for any trace of deceit. She still had a twinge of disgust, as if she'd smelt or tasted something unappealing.

"Were you sent to kill me."

"Would I have fallen out of a tree to do that?" I struggled not to snarl my response at her. It was almost as if she could tell, she broke a fanged smirk as she stood in silence staring me down. For the first time in a long while I was slightly nervous, and for the sake of some strange fancy another question popped into my head.

"If you're going to kill me, can I have your name before I go."

She reacted quite surprisingly, showing more emotion and excitement then her demeanor suggested she was capable.

"See? Respect! Without it the social order collapses. I'd expect an apology as well, but that might be a little too much on my part."

I would have laughed but, I couldn't find the sound.

"Regardless, I shall introduce myself then." She gave a brief pause "My name is Lady Sylvanas Windrunner, Queen of the Forsaken."

She did a slight curtsy, as if it had been practiced for this moment, and as she finished she ended the formality with a question, one that she seemed keen to ask since she encountered me.

"Who might you be?"

I breathed heavily as I straightened myself into a sitting position.

"I'm Michael Finns; an officer in the United states army."

And this has been the most bizarre day of my life.

She blinked her eyes slowly, "Where are you from human."

"Illinois."

"I know not this place."

I made a dismissive *heh* sound, "It's very far away I imagine."

She raised an eyebrow, "Indeed," She lowered herself with a squat to about my eye level. "I wonder if asking what world you come from would be a more apt question."

"What world?" You've got to be joking "Earth, ever heard of it?"

"No."

"I didn't think you would have." I took a deep breath, "So, would you answer my first question? Where the fuck am I?"

She took hold of my dropped pistol before standing.

"You are in the Tirisfal Glades."

She aimed it at me, finger lightly touching the trigger. She looked at it admiringly.

"I have never seen a flint-lock as well made as this, I personally never liked them, pistols or long bores." She looked at me, "Far too inaccurate at the distances I can fire my bow at."

She gave a coy expression, "However at this distance I'd be hard pressed to miss, even with this weapon."

I nodded.

"So then, are you going to kill me with my own weapon?"

She shook her head. "No."

"For some queer reason I feel you should accompany me."

If she didn't sound the way she did I'd assume she was English, what with the way she made her sentences. This had to be the most bizarre encounter of my life. "Well, how about a doctor first?" I pointed towards my fucked up leg and she promptly looked at it. She lowered the pistol and rested her arms on her knees. Her body was an inviting one. But it appeared cold. Her throat moved slightly as she made a small "Hmm."

Fox

"I assure you, you are not the only one who could use some wine at this moment."

I nodded in agreement however I had to ask for the sake of my own sanity, "The strong scent of magic?" I shook my head, "Look ma'am, I just want to go home, I- Well I, don't know what the hell is going on."

She looked at me with empathy in her eyes before I continued speaking.

"Look, I'll be honest, there's no such thing as magic where I come from. I was a soldier fighting in my own battle. Now I'm here cause of 'Magic' and I'm in the middle of your war."

She nodded and took a long pause before speaking.

"I imagine it would be quite.. horrifying to be in your position, but." She looked out the doorway towards her soldiers. "You're skills are quite adept. Few of my soldiers are veteran enough to fight as well as you do, and frankly I need all the experienced archers I can get my hands on."

I wasn't that good; there were at least a hundred guys above me in rifle marksmanship. Rather quickly a grim feeling began to wash over me. I started to zone out, I couldn't hear what she was saying but I had to ask what was on my mind, something that had to come out and be vocalized.

"Will I ever be able to go home?"

She looked at me and stopped talking. She thought long before she spoke,

"It is possible; such magic is not unknown to us."

I smiled, my body felt on airs. I broke attention, my back relaxed as my mind was relieved. Holy shit. I'm going to go home! I'm not trapped here. Her face however did not mirror mine, she felt quite begrudged to speak, but she eventually did. If I was more aware I should have expected what she said to come, but I didn't.

"Nothing comes without a price, and why should such a difficult conjuration be undertaken for the likes of you? Someone I barely know, forgive me and do not doubt that I am indebted and grateful for your assistance. It is just, the weight of what is wanted to what must be spent in your services."

I was kinda struck by that statement, but.. There was a way out, a way home. It was possible.. It'll just take a little effort, that's all James. You've been through worse, I'm sure you can do this. I looked up at her and spoke as honestly as I needed to, "What do I have to do."

She gave a slight smile, "I appreciate the offer, but there are a few more questions I must ask you."

I nodded expectantly, of course there are.

"I still do not know if I may trust you, Fox. You can appreciate that can't you?"

I nodded honestly, "Yes ma'am."

"Good." She relaxed slightly, before continuing, "We are in the middle of a war, one that is not going too well for us,"

Her eyes looked away from me for a slight second, when she continued her voice had changed to a deeper and emptier tone.

"After we bury our dead here we are going to make a tactical retreat to the west," she nodded outside. "Your friend Sednaii and a small platoon of rangers are going to cover our flanks as we make our way out of here."

Pointing towards me now she continued. "You will accompany her as I expect the enemy will be marching behind us with reinforcements. Thankfully they must first muster those reinforcements, thanks to you this will buy us time." She smiled slightly.

I felt words make their way up my throat, "I'm just glad I was able to help."

She crossed her arms, "Sednaii spoke quite highly of you. It is by her recommendation I'm even talking to you right now. I'll be quite honest; I'm quite indifferent to the plights of other races, that being said at the same time I am in no way blind to the abilities of others." Clearing her throat with a curt *eh-hurm* she continued, "You clearly demonstrated your ability just now and I will look upon your unexpected arrival as a gift from Elune, a gift like a luxury will not be squandered, you see wine is a luxury we have; honey bread is a luxury we have, you are now a luxury we have. Time, however is not."

I nodded, "I am quite flattered ma'am. I- um, I hope I won't let you down."

She gave a polite laugh, "You don't really have a choice do you?"

Before I could answer she spoke again. "What rank do you hold?"

"Uh Sergeant."

"This is a high rank?"

"No, it's a mid rank, I was in charge of small group of men."

She nodded, "Have you led them into many battles?"

"Not that many, but- Well yes… yes I have." She looked at me with a relieved smile.

"Good. Now our losses here were not as severe as they should have been; and I believe that is solely thanks to you."

I nodded hesitantly, I felt embarrassed.. "I was only doing what I had to, ma'am.."

"Stop with your modesty, you and I are killers, modesty is for nobles and peasants." It was a surprising change in her character to hear her talk so forcefully. "Now, are you the hardened killer I saw out there striking down those damned Orcs or aren't you?"

I nodded, and gave her my best. "Yes ma'am, I'm hard as fuck. I'm itching to kill my way home."

She gave a curt nod. "Perfect."

She walked towards the door and began talking quickly in her native tongue. Turning towards me she spoke in English again, "Go and get any supplies you may need, we'll be leaving this grave quite soon."

"Yes ma'am."

She was just about to speed off before I spoke out. "Wait! Commander, where did you learn English?"

She smiled slightly as she walked away. "Far away and long ago Fox."

When she left my view I gave a long overdue exhale. Whew… holy shit. I'm in it now… Grabbing my canteen I took a long swig to cool myself. The sweat had made my neck quite slick and my undershirt felt soaked. I need some food. Sednaii'll help me out. I put my helmet back on and re-adjusted where my rifle was on my shoulder. Then taking one more sip of my water I put it back on my belt. Then I left the building to find Sednaii, I caught myself thinking about her, I wondered what.. Well I wondered what any hormone pumped soldier wonders. I shook my head; I was more hungry then itchy right now. I did begin to think though, Sednaii did like me I knew that… but, well she wouldn't have stuck her neck out to her commander for just any one. Would she? A-and those.. those eyes of hers. It.. well, it's worth a try isn't it?

Whew! I shook my head, Shut up.. just go get some food, some crackers or biscuits or something.

As I exited the building there she was, waiting for me patiently, as soon as our eyes met she lit up. Her face softened, a slight smile gracing her lips. However she stole it away upon recognizing it was too much emotion to show. She hid her embarrassment as she made an inquiring face to me. Right beside her was Tayca, ready to translate.

"Tayca, Sednaii." I gave both a nod, "Um, I need some food.. I haven't eaten in, at least 2 days."

Wait.. what date is it? Time feels so slow here, but.. Gah! I just need to eat something!

"Tayca, Sednaii. I also need someone to look at my uh hand."

Tayca furrowed her brow, "What you mean?"

I slowly pulled the glove off to reveal my swollen purplish knuckles. I winced every second it took to get the damn thing off, but I did sigh with relief when it touched the air. Tayca audibly *ughed* at the sight of it and Sednaii showed her concern before nodding at Tayca's translating. I caught myself looking at Sednaii, and she spoke hastily to Tayca who carefully translated.

"We shall visit our healers first."

Sednaii nodded and began walking through the sparse crowd of Kaldorei, Tayca closely followed and tentatively I did too. Soon the crowd began smiling at me, some said a few words in their language, some even touched my shoulder encouragingly. But one thing was clear; they all had gratitude emanating from them. I couldn't have felt weirder.

Sylvanas

"This is quite the predicament."

He seemed to nod in agreement. I wondered who he really was; one could even say I was interested in finding out more about this human. I thought about it long and hard, and soon the only possibility came to the forefront of my mind. I was involved now, I couldn't very well leave him here… Wait.. WHAT! Did I just think that? This is ridicules. I must be losing my damn mind.

"Alright, I have many surgeons and apothecaries who could tend to your wound."

You did not just say that… you are not about to do what I think you are.

"I could take you to my city."

I was in total disbelief, what malicious spirit is prompting these words? What specter is manipulating this… bloody charity? Clemency, this… this.. Mercy. Is this mercy? Why am I doing this, what is there possibly to gain from bringing him to Undercity, this bloody useless human. He was, exciting.. I feel stirrings, where I have not felt stirrings in… By the stars. Damn this all.

"I will take you a prisoner officer Michael." He shot me a look, one of resounding protest. However he wisely elected to stay silent.

"Okay then, how do you prepose- *Whack!* I hit him as hard as I could with the handle of his pistol. Limply his body fell backward.

You could kill him.. you should kill him. But, why aren't you killing him!?

I hovered over his body, aiming his weapon under his chin. I could do it. But… there is an excitement here. What kind of feeling is this..

Well he was handsome for a human I suppose.

IS this LUST? I jumped back from him, dropping his weapon, I shook my head. No damn way, this is not what I feel. I feel only hatred! I am vengeance encarnate! My people died because of a human just like him. I died because of a man like him. I was butchered… I I died alone…

I had to look away. My mind was quite overwhelmed. Quickly I threw back my hood, and ran my hands threw my hair. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. There is certainly something here… Something… new, I'm.. I, feel something different…

I had to end this feeling, just for a spell at least. "Guards!" They came through the bushes double time with swords drawn. Excitedly they began chattering upon seeing the unconscious human on the ground. My captain spoke first.

"My Queen!" Have you ended his pathetic life?"

Another nodded, "Yes, may we tear him apart for your majesty?"

I turned to face my captain, "No! Stay your blades; I have something else in mind for this one." The captain smiled, or at least as much a smile as he could make with his rotted face.

"Shall we tie him to a horse? Or shall we drag him?" A few of my guards excitedly chattered at the second proposal.

"No, he'll rot in a dungeon in Undercity, alive and intact."

"Yes my Queen." The men grabbed him and brought him through the bushes back towards the horses.

I picked up his pistol and long bore musket and carried them to my horse. Overhead crows called and the wind whistled through the trees to the sides of the road. I thought to myself in the brief moments before my Guards secured him to one of the horses. It is lust, isn't it… there is much to be done before he is to wake.. Why not… What's wrong with feeling it… NO! Gods… *whew* okay… Get back on your horse.. damn this all. Think of warm water, the comforting luxuries of my sanctum. Yes, home, think of home... Besides I am queen. My word is law. I can do anything I wish.