Stormwind, the capital for the human race. It is there that King Varian Wrynn rules and leads the Alliance. However, his hatred of the Horde, epically the Orcs, has caused him to turn a blind eye towards working together with them in an effort to stop the Lich King. Currently there is an uneasy peace between the two factions. One that could break at any moment. And each day that moment seems to be drawing closer and closer.
Within the walls of Stormwind Keep, the leaders of all the Alliance races were meeting. Along with Wrynn was Jaina Proudmoore. Once they had been close friends. He had been the best friend of Arthus and Jaina was the lover of Arthus. After his betrayal, Wrynn had prayed to the Light that Jaina would be alright and she could move now. But those feelings were short lived as she soon allied herself with the Horde in an effort to stop the Burning Legion. She then stood against her own father and helped bring about his downfall in order to protect the Orcs. Hell, she even had a treaty with them! Now, if he had a choice, he wouldn't be in the same room as her. Yet she was a war hero, and he used the term loosely, and was highly respected in all the kingdoms. So he had to tolerate her as she sat on his right side. Behind them were many other nobles and lords who were in attendance.
Sitting next to Jaina was Tyrande Whisperwind, the leader on the Night Elf people. She too had been there and allied herself with the Horde in order to stop the Burning Legion. Also she was one of Jaina's biggest supporters within the Alliance that the two factions should team up against the Scourge. King Wrynn dismissed this due to her being the High Priestess of Elune and thinking with her faith.
Next to her was the leader of the Dwarves, King Magni Bronzebeard. Both he and the Gnome leader, High Tinker Gelbin Mekkatorque, were on the fence about on this issue. There was still great mistrust between them and the Horde however they both saw that there could be benefits in working together.
Then came the Draenei leader, Prophet Velen. The human king felt for the Draenei for he knew what they had suffered due to the Orcs. Their people had been slaughtered by them and driven from their home. Many of the Draenei still hold a grudge towards the barbaric green-skins. And yet Velen still preached about peace, that the Orcs were no longer the same people that had nearly wiped out his people. Some Draenei agreed with him, but it was only because of Thrall. Once he dies, they claimed, the Orcs will turn back into the savage creatures they were and continue their killing. King Wrynn agreed with this logic.
Finally, sitting at the other side of King Wrynn, was Rhonin of the Kirin Tor and his wife/mate Vereesa Windrunner who was also the leader of the Silver Covenant. Rhonin, who was a great war hero in the Second War for taking away the red dragons from the Orcs, seemed to believe that there could be peace between both groups. He wasn't asking them to become friends, just to stop the fighting and find a way to tolerate each other. According to him, if they didn't then both sides would be lost forever. His wife, who was the sister to Sylvanas, also wanted some peace at the very least.
"I would like to begin with good news," said Jaina as she stood up, grabbing everyone's attention. A smile appeared on her face, the kind of smile that told Wrynn that he was not going to agree that the news was 'good'. "Before I arrived here, I was contacted be Warcheif Thrall. He has informed me that Sylvanas has agreed to attend the Feast of Alodi." She stopped there to allow the others to absorb the information and then sat down. The Feast of Alodi was an idea that both she and Thrall came up with in an attempt for both sides to get a little closer and lessen the tension between them. The name was symbolic because Alodi, the very first Guardian, had been half human and half elf. The Feast itself was simply an open dinner to anyone who wanted to show up. Show up, eat a good meal, some music as well as dancing, storytelling, and other such things that would show both the Alliance and the Horde that they weren't as different as they thought. But to ensure that it would be a success, all of the leaders had to attend.
"That is good news," Tyrande with a small smile. "Elune be praised. How did the Warcheif manage to convince her? Last I heard the Dark Lady had refused to attend."
"I was told that he had simply commented that she would be able to see her sister," replied Jaina. Of course, this was only a half truth. Sylvanas had heard many times that not only would her sister be present, but her nephews as well. What Thrall had recently added was that, during there was the chance that during the party he might slip up due to the ale and start talking about some of the Dark Ladies more "embarrassing" adventures. Like, for example, the time she slipped into the cannels on the Undercity while chasing out members of the Alliance who had tried to kill her.
"I still have my doubts about this Lady Proudmoore," said Varian. "The Horde is composed of a group of murders, barbarians, thieves, and traitors. The thought of sitting next to them and eating shakes me to the core!"
"I don' think ye have much to gripe about seein' that Ironforge is where dis 'party' be at," said King Magni Bronzebeard. "Be the Dwarves that bein' trouble if things don' work out."
"Let me put your mind at ease," said Rhonin. "The wizards of Dalaran will be in charge of security. Our strongest wards will be in place to keep out agents of the Lich King as well as revealing anyone in disguise. The will also be wards in place that will restrict the use of magic of any kind. I have informed the Horde of all of this and they have agreed." King Bronzebeard still looked a bit concerned.
"Also," added Jaina, "the Warcheif asked if you would do him the honor of supplying the ale for this event." The effect was immediate as she watched the king's concerned expression change into one of tearful joy.
"Well in that case they can be bringin' thar mothers'," laughed Magni. Jaina hid a small smile and made a mental note to remember to tell Thrall what 'he' had promised.
"Moving now," said Varian who had been wanting to put this part of the meeting behind him since it started. "We have reports that that Horde has made an alliance with the surviving Nerubians. According to our spies, they are being moved to the Undercity. Along with the Taunka, this makes two races that have joined the Horde since we started our attack against the Lich King."
"Maybe this might have something to do when several Taunka were hunted down and then cooked over an open fire," said Tyrande as she looked at Magni. Slowly all the eyes in the room fell on Dwarven king who rightly looked a bit sheepish. It wasn't like he had ordered it or anything; it was just that many of his people had a hard time looking for food when they arrived at the Roof of the World. Well, food that went well with ale at least. And when they found the Taunka, they saw steak!
"T'was a honest mistake," he said in a small voice.
The rest of the meeting seemed to go at a snail's pace. Feeling a need to match the Horde with new allies of their own, Varian opened the floor to suggestions. Tyrande suggested the Pandaren, a race of humanoid pandas that had good relations with several races in the Alliance. Velen, oddly, suggested the Arakkoa who were a race of bird men from the Outland. It was true that they were intelligent and hated the Orcs (a plus for Varian), but they didn't seem civilized enough.
After that, they listened to a male human drone on about the increased population of half breeds. Since the end of the Third War humans had begun to mate more often with races outside of their species. The human went on about the dangers of this epically when humans mated with members of the Horde for fear of mixed loyalties. He ended his report by suggesting that the leaders of the Alliance make a stronger effort to discourage this and promote a need for 'pure' bloodlines.
Then, after hearing about some Scourge movement in various places, Rhonin spoke up about the Bronze Dragonflight. He told everyone there that the Keepers of Time had informed him that people were entering the Caverns of Time and using it to go back in time and trying to stay there. Apparently they wanted to go back to when things were simpler. He told them that they were being warned to stop this or else face the dire consequences.
Finally, the last noble spoke.
"Now standing is Lord Lexise Westron," said the chamber man as the noble stood. A few years ago, Lexise would never have been allowed to step foot in this room. However, in recent years his standing in the courts had grown due to research he had funded. Research into weapons and new flying machines which he believed were the future. He was a tall man with slick black hair and a deep, powerful voice. Dressed in the finest silk clothing he walked towards the leaders like he was in charge. Jaina, however, eyed him as though he were an annoying fly. Ever since this man had become a part of these meetings, there had been a growing number of instances within the Horde and other neutral areas. Documents were stolen as well as items of power, threats were made, boats burned in the harbor, and so much more. She had no proof that he was behind all of this, but all of the incidents were related to proposals that he would call forth.
"I have good news," said Lexise. "The end of the Scourge draws near!"
"Something we have heard before," said Velen. He, like almost everyone else, was skeptical of this claim. But the noble laughed as if he had heard a child ask him a foolish question while he turned his attention away from the prophet. That was another thing about him that Jaina didn't like, he barely hid his contempt for other races.
"Let me show you," said Lexise as he pulled out an oval shaped crystal. He then places it on the table, whispered some words of magic, and stepped back as an image filled the air above their heads. It was of a gigantic cannon that had three stones circling around it at its midsection. "The Magi Cannon, a combination of engineering and enchantment like the world has never seen before. Rather than firing a cannonball, it will launch a massive amount of magical energy that will destroy all living things in its wake. And, if our calculations are correct, this will easily wipe out all creatures in Icecrown, living or not! And the best part is its range. What you are seeing now isn't to scale, but due to its size it can strike at almost any spot on a continent!"
"What powers it?" asked Velen as he eyed the stones in the image. Lexise did not answer him, but simply took the stone and put it back in his pocket causing the image to vanish.
"I'm afraid that information is classified," he said. "And it seems that there has already been a leak."
"What makes you think that?" asked Varian.
"A short time ago, a Scarlet Crusade base was attacked and destroyed," said Lexise. "I had been using that place as a drop off point for some of the cannons more…'sensitive' parts. If anyone trying to follow the items, it would lead them there and they would be captured. A sound plan really. However, from the report I received, this was the work of a human who calls himself Lord Dar Ravenwrath. During the attack he captured my contact, a fine man by the name of Adros, and took him away for several hours only to have him return as undead." At the mention of the name Adros, one of Jaina's paladin's stiffened a bit.
"This is not the first time we have seen a person claiming to be nobility," said King Varian. "I'm sure most of you remember Lord Prestor. That man had us turning against each other and could have destroyed the Alliance." Rhonin gave a light nod. While the others were not aware of it, he knew who, or what, Prestor really was: Deathwing.
"This is different from that case," said Rhonin. All eyes fell on him. "Prestor came to us in an attempt to gain control of the Alterac Kingdom. King Terenas thought he was only trying to help as he offered his services between the various kingdoms. However, at the same time, he was using magic to alter peoples mind and make them agree to whatever he wanted. He convinced King Terenas to not only make him the next king of Alterac but to also give him Princess Calia. At the same time he was using that same magic to turn people against those who practice magic. Yet this Ravenwrath fellow doesn't seem to be making any plays for power. It is more likely that it is arrogance that compels him to give himself such a title."
"Still, for a single man to take down an entire keep by himself is no small task," commented Varian. "Such a man should not be allowed to walk around freely."
"I'd give the lad a metal," said Magni as he slammed his fist onto the table. "Those overzealous scoundrels killed four dwarves last month and twelve the month before that! Me guess is that they killed someone he loved and he got even."
"That is one theory," said the Gnome leader. "Still, despite the number of Alliance that they do kill, they kill far more Scourge and Horde. It could also be that he was sent by either of those two factions."
"It gets more interesting," said Lord Lexise. "It seems that Ravenwrath is a spellcaster, much like Prestor was. Yet the magic that was described sounds more like that used by the druids." At that Tyrande's eyes widened.
"Impossible!" she almost shouted. "Humans cannot become true druids. They lack the mental concepts required to learn it." She then looked over at Jaina and gave her an apologetic look. "No offence."
"Yet that is what we have seen," said Lexise. "So now there is something that we must ask ourselves. Has a human learned the arts of the druid or was it a Tauren or Night Elf in disguise with the help of a very powerful mage? And if it is the latter, then there is only one mage that comes to mind who is powerful enough to create a spell powerful enough to fool the senor wards at the keep and has a well known history of helping the Horde." His eyes then fell on Jaina.
Jaina felt her anger rise. How dare this young upstart accuse her? True, she had no love for the Scarlet Crusade, but she would never do something like this. She preferred to use reason in order to reach out to the Scarlet Crusade so that they would stop killing the innocent. Taking lives always left her feeling empty. However, it might not be the case with Lexise. The thought of hitting him with a fireball was beginning to give her many happy thoughts.
"Ridiculous!" shouted Magni. "Tis no finer lass than Proudmoore. And ya got no evidence ta say that she was involved. Ya just spouting tale tales!"
"It is true that I only have a theory," admitted Lexise. "But it is well based. Lady Proudmoore helped kill her own father as well as help sink his fleet in order to protect the Horde! She has been seen numerous times with Warcheif Thrall. Not to mention the large number of half breeds that now populate her domain which is cause enough for alarm. Now I am not saying that she is evil, but simply blind to the dangers of trusting the Horde. She treats those savage beasts like they were equals.
"We have all lost loved ones to the Horde. Since the day the Orcs came to this world they have destroyed our lands, taken whatever they please, and killed whenever they felt the need. And where are they now? Across the Great Sea living freely when they should either be dead or locked in a cage where they belong. If they had been, a dear childhood friend of mine would still be alive. I bet everything that those green skins took him and killed him! And Lady Proudmoore believes all the lies that their Warcheif tells her."
"I remember that," snapped Jaina. She could tell that several people were buying into his story, moved by similar loss. "As I told your father, there was no sign of that boy for miles. Both Warcheif Thrall and I looked for him looked everywhere and that includes every Horde village. While I am sorry for his lose, I know for a fact that the Orcs never had him!" Lexise was about to say something when Varian spoke up.
"Enough," he bellowed. "We have gotten off topic here. For the moment, we will need to find this Ravenwrath person and bring him in for questioning. This concludes the Alliance meeting. Dismissed."
Ten minutes later, everyone had left the room except for two. One was Lord Lexise. The other was the paladin. He was dressed gold and silver colored plate armor. On his back was a shield that looked more like an anchor and on his hip was his hammer like mace. His blond hair was messy and his blue eyes stared at Lexise.
"Lexise, you went too far that time," said the paladin in a harsh tone.
"Why Marcus, whatever do you mean?"
"Do not play your games with me! You know what I speak of. Darwin, our friend, is dead and you continue to lie about it even here? Have you no shame?" Lexise gave him an amused look.
"Like you are one to talk. Have you not told the same lie for just as long?"
"It is true that I held my tongue back then. Every time I deny the truths entry I pray that Darwin's soul forgives us all. But I have never used his to create more hate towards the Orcs nor have I used it to shine doubt on the Lady Proudmoore. You sicken me!" Lexise simply shook his head.
"After all this time, you are still so naïve. Lies can be used so that others may see the truth. The Horde is a real threat and the foolish woman you serve is unfit to lead anyone! Kalimdor should belong to us, not the Horde. They have no idea on how to best use that land and continue to strike at the Alliance every time a filthy half breed is born. Do you not see what is happening? They are corrupting our race!"
"And what of Adros?" demanded Marcus. "He is dead because he was helping you!"
"He knew what he was doing," said Lexise. Marcus wanted to say more but at that moment Varian walked into the room. "Now I believe that you had best be off. Now."
"Yes my lord," said Marcus through gritted teeth. He bowed before the noble and then left without another word.
"Something I should know about?" asked Varian.
"No," replied Lexise as he turned to face the king. "Now, as I wrote to you earlier, we need a target for a test run of the cannon. Someplace where there is plenty of…unwanted life. I mentioned several sites in my letter of possible targets and thought it best that you choose." King Varian grinned.
-x-
Using a teleportation spell was always tricky, even for the best mages. Ones concentration must be perfect or else you risk arriving in pieces. Also, it was very taxing and it only gets worse when there is more than just yourself. So it was little wonder that Jaina's illusion spell failed as she and Marcus appeared in Jaina's office in Theramore Isle.
"My lady, you shouldn't push yourself," said Marcus as he helped Jaina to her feet.
"I'll be fine," said Jaina as she placed a hand on her stomach. "I know the dangers of teleportation when one is pregnant."
"My lady, with all due respect, you are six months in. Too many things could have gone wrong. Your child could have easily appeared in the wrong place. You know this as well as I. You should not have gone to that meeting!"
"I know the risked," snapped Jaina. "But this meeting was important. You know that." Jaina paused and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know you worry about me. I know you worry about the Alliance. You even worry about my unborn child. I know that, as a paladin, you are sworn to protect the innocent. But you also know that you cannot protect everyone all the time. You are right that I shouldn't be doing this, but it has to be done."
"It is true that I am a paladin," said Marcus. "And as a paladin, I am a warrior for the Light! It is my duty to serve you and the Alliance. Even if it mean to protect you from yourself. I know what the feast means, not just to you but the Alliance as well. If it goes well then peace between the us and the Horde may be closer than we think. But it shouldn't come at the expense of your child's live. So in order for me to protect life I will do what I have to, even if it means tying you up and gaging you."
"You can try," said Jaina with a smile as she took a step back. "Now then, you are dismissed. Please don't keep that darling girlfriend of yours waiting too long." Marcus felt his cheeks begin to redden. With a bow, he left in a hurry.
Jaina shook her head in amusement as she watched him leave. He was so fun to tease sometimes. In a way he reminded her of the old Arthus she had fallen in love with. So often placing the needs of others, as well as his duty to the Light, first that he forgot about those who were standing next to him. Those that loved him. Thankfully he had a ruler who made sure that he remembered or else he'd die alone. But he did have a point, anymore teleporting and her child would be at risk. She would just have to take a boat or find some other way to get to the Eastern Kingdoms. Perhaps there was a book in her private chambers, a.k.a her bedroom, which might help her.
Slowly she made her way to the desired room but stopped at the door. With her hand on the handle she took a deep breath. Many of the scents were familiar to her. The scent of her scrolls, flowers, and the sea. But there was one that wasn't usually there. It smelled more primal, like that of dirt and animals. She opened the door and smiled at her beloved.
He had been sitting on the bed but jumped up when the door opened. He had come knowing that Jaina would use magic to teleport again. He had spent his time waiting for her on planning what to say. He had thought of yelling at her for taking these risks. But all of his resolve melted away like the snow on a hot sunny day when he saw her.
"Welcome back Lady Proudmoore," he said with some good humor as she walked across the room and embraced him.
"I thank you, Warcheif Thrall."
-x-
Marcus rode his mount with great speed as he went through Dustwallow Marsh. Pride filled his as he passed by several of the new farming communities, a testament to his people's hard work. When he had first seen this land as a child, it had been nothing but swamp. But thanks to hard work, and some magic from both druids and shaman, his people could now grow their own food instead of relying on the Great Sea for all their meals.
After riding for several hours on an old beaten trail, Marcus stopped at the newest farming village. This was one that few could believe for not all who lived in it were humans. Orcs, Trolls, Blood Elves, Night Elves, Dwarves, and Tauren all lived there in peace. These people, about ninety families, all wished to live peaceful live away from the constant fighting. So Lady Proudmoore created this community halfway between Theramore Isle and Brackenwall Village. True, there were other neutral locations were these people could go. However, they were created by neutral groups.
"Hey there mon," came a heavily accented voice to the paladin's left. Marcus turned and saw a Troll who had paused for a moment from plowing the fields with his raptor. "We not be seein ya for a whiles mon. Whaca be doin back?"
"I'm looking for Drema. Have you seen her?" The Troll laughed.
"She be working mon. Where you think she be?"
A little embarrassed, he nodded and continued on his mount. He should have known better than to ask where that workaholic was. Soon he came across the rest of the community. It wasn't impressive, just a bunch of farms which varied from race to race. He passed by several homes until he saw a hut like structure that was lined with furs. Excited, he dismounted and walked right to the entrance.
Inside was Drema. She was sitting at her work table while she mixed her potions from various plants. Her black hair fully covered her head and touched her shoulder. She wore a blue dress that looked good against her green skin. Her figure was ideal for any female Orc, but he no longer saw her in the way. She was simply a caring woman.
They had first met five years ago when Marcus had fist started his paladin training. He had come to Dustwallow Marsh to train and to kill some of the dragonspawn that lived in the southern area of the Marsh. Sadly he bit off more than he could chew and when he awoke he found himself in Drema's bed, bandaged up.
Like an member of the Alliance who would find himself at the mercy of an Orc, he treated her with distrust and scorn. The shame of failure, of not dying and being saved by the enemy, was great and he took it out on her. He said the rudest things to her, spat on her, and did everything in his power to be difficult. Yet, she never said a word to him or struck back. She took in everything he did to her and simply continued to treat his wounds. And when the last of his wounds had healed she simple sent him on his way with some food and a couple of healing potions.
He didn't kill her like he should have. Like it or not, she saved his life and he owed her that much. But a few weeks later he found himself back at her hut near Mudsprocket. A question had been on his mind since then and it was driving him crazy. He couldn't sleep, he wasn't hungry, he messed up his prayers. He had to know why an Orc with nothing to gain would help him. Her answer rocked him to the core.
"My parents had been killed by a human," she had told him. "My father was a fisherman who went with my mother to sell his goods at the Crossroads. Along the way they were ambushed from behind by a human who slit their throats." He remembered how the tears rolled down her cheeks. "When I first heard what had happened, I hated him and all humans. I didn't care if they had killed my parents or not, I just wanted to see them all dead. But then the human was captured and brought before the Warcheif to answer for his crimes. I was there and I heard all the names of the Orcs that coward had killed. Some while they slept in bed. Some too old to do any harm or too young to defend themselves. I'll never forget what the Warcheif did after he was done listing the names. He simply asked why, why had he killed so many. The human began to yell at the Warcheif, saying that he knew why. His son was missing and believed that the Orcs took him and killed him. He was hurting the same way I was. And when I saw him executed, I realized that I didn't want to end up like that or add to the hatred. So I decided that I would be a healer, not a killer. If I saw someone that I could help, I would regardless of the race."
As Marcus heard the story, guilt washed over him like the tide. In a way, it was his fault that her parents were dead. She was the daughter of one of Fairfield's victims. And, in a way, one of his. The aftermath of the lie they told so long ago to save themselves had caused her to lose her parents. In order to atone, even a little, Marcus vowed to help her while he was in the area. Days turned into weeks and then into months. And before he knew it he found himself back in her bed but with her beside him.
"By the Light you are beautiful," said Marcus. Drema, startled, turned around quickly and smiled.
-x-
Lexise smiled as he entered his keep which stood over the remains of the Gaping Chasm. It had been built in secret and, in truth, no one entered the area. But it was still had to miss it since it took up nearly all of the Chasm. It was more like a castle than anything with its grayish wall and large towers. Along the mountain was where the slaves he had captured worked to mine the need material for his ultimate weapon. They were from all races, not just the Horde. They should feel privileged to work on the weapon that would help him create his prefect world.
As Lexise walked there the entrance he was met by his guards. They stood on two legs, but were covered by black scales from head to toe. They were the size of a man, but had large wings growing out of their backs and a four foot long tail. Their hands were clawed and sharp as a sword. Their faces were reptilian with sharp fangs and yellow slit eyes. They were created under the order of Lexise, to act as his loyal guards as well as the captures of his slaves. All of them were male, females were killed on sight.
His perfect world would be here soon. A world of only humans, no other race was worthy enough to live here. The Magi Cannon would see to that! It would eliminate all of the Horde's cities and wipe out all other filthy forms of life. And once they were gone, he would use his other creations to seize control over the other human kingdoms.
We are pleased things are going well for you, came the whispers. Lexise frowned when he heard them. They came without warning and never came when he needed them. He disliked anything that he couldn't command.
"Well enough," he muttered under his breath.
We are pleased for you, they whispered back. To our most loyal follower, you shall be given great power over those that remain.
"I live only to serve the Dark Gods."
That is good. But we fear something has happened that might hinder your plan. An old grudge from your past. A grudge that surpasses the day you poisoned your father. You should take care of it soon.
"Nothing will stop me. Nothing!"