Grab the Bitch!

After his agents bungled things badly enough to set a murderous Orc loose on the Hinterlands, Varian Wrynn awaited the latest report with dread. Sure, his spymaster insisted it was intended, but he knew better. Cunning plan, my ass.

"What now?" Wrynn sighed wearily as Mathias Shaw shuffled his papers annoyingly, trying to find the right page.

"Here we are," Shaw replied, oblivious to or ignoring his king's impatience. His eyes squinted around the elegantly flowing script of Amarn's report. "My men tracked the Orc and the woman to Hammerfall, where they met with another Orc. A portal then took them to the Blasted Lands." Glancing up, he said, "It would seem our birds have flown, sire. They have passed through the Dark Portal into Draenor."

Wrynn slammed his hands on the desk top and leaned forward. "They're gone? Your idiot men let them slip away again? What good are you, Shaw? Why do I even have you in my employ?"

Having heard similar words from the king before, Shaw barely registered offense. "My men are following them, sire."

"To where?" Wrynn cried. "What could that fucking Orc possibly be doing there?"

"I expect to receive an update once my men reach Honor Hold, or some other location with a mail system installed. They have to proceed carefully, sire; if they get too close, the woman will recognize them."

"By the Light, this is getting out of hand," Wrynn growled, slumping in his chair.

"Not all is lost, sire," Shaw said, skimming the report. "It seems we have a lead on a possible accomplice."

Wrynn perked up. "What have you got?" he asked hopefully.

"The Orc who met our quarry at Hammerfall was, obviously, a mage," Shaw replied. "She summoned the portal sending them to the Blasted Lands, then transported herself away. Her bearing was one of command, and though an altercation with the commander at Hammerfall appeared to be starting, it was quelled as soon as she entered the scene."

Nodding, Wrynn muttered, "Yes, if by her mere presence she can stop Orcs from tearing each other apart, she must be in charge." Snorting, he growled, "Animals. Very well, then. Where is the 'good' news here? I'm betting no one knows where she went from Hammerfall."

Grinning, Shaw said, "Indeed, sire. One of my men, a mage himself, recognized her. She frequents Dalaran and should be easily found whenever we like. Judging by her reputation, I don't doubt the Kirin Tor will turn a blind eye, or at least briefly look away, in her case."

"Well," Wrynn said brightly, "that is good news. Do we have a name?"

"Yes, sire," the spymaster nodded. "Her name is Ghakora, but she goes by Kora. Gets extremely... well, more obnoxious if not called by her preferred name. If it is your wish to pursue this additional lead, I can put a man on it at once."

"Of course I want to pursue it!" Wrynn roared. "What do you think? I want Dalaran watched. I trust you can get a fucking agent in that city?"

"Yes, sire," Shaw said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Horde and Alliance rub elbows there. We will have no difficulties putting a tail on her."

"None of this... tail nonsense, whatever the fuck that is," Wrynn snapped. "Watch her. Learn her movements. Figure out if she's got any other ties. I want her, I want her friends, I want her beautician... everyone. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal, sire," Shaw replied with a short bow.

"Now, about this other bit of business...," Varian Wrynn began, but was interrupted by a knock on the door of his office. Sighing, he barked, "Come!"

A messenger entered the room and bowed. "Urgent message from Lady Proudmore, sire. She respectfully requests as many troops as you can muster in a few days time sent to Theramore Isle at once. "

Wrynn blinked at the shocking announcement and shot a look at his spymaster. "Uh... something going on over there?"

Thinking the question was directed at him, the messenger continued, "She has reason to believe a significant Horde force from Durotar is planning large-scale assault. We lack the necessary troops to repel such an attack at this time, nor would we withstand a siege of any kind. Our forces are currently engaged in the campaign in the Southern Barrens and defending the supply line from Theramore across Dustwallow Marsh to the front. The Grimtotem clan has been causing an unprecedented amount of trouble for us lately as well, sire."

"Why have I not been informed before now?" Wrynn growled at Shaw. "I have agents in Durotar, don't I?"

Stiffening, Shaw drew himself up. "My men are stretched thin as it is, sire. Those I have watching Orgrimmar are... otherwise engaged at the moment." He didn't think it was necessary to remind his king what was occupying his men's attention.

Narrowing his eyes for a moment at Shaw, Wrynn turned back to the messenger. "What intelligence has she received? Who told her about this?"

"Lady Proudmore did not reveal her source to me or anyone else, sire," the messenger said apologetically. "She only said it was someone she trusts. Would you consent to muster the necessary force, sire?"

Shaking himself, Wrynn nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, I consent. Take your message to Genn Greymane, and tell him to get General Marcus Jonathan on it. He'll know what's needed." Tapping his chin thoughtfully for a moment, he added, "And notify the mages. We won't be able to get a fleet across the ocean in a few days if she's in that desperate a need. I want portals to Theramore opened as soon as the first company is assigned, understood?"

Saluting, the messenger replied, "Yes, sire." Then he swiftly left the office on his errands.

Frowning with concern, Wrynn met Shaw's eyes. "Did you hear anything about this?"

"No sire, I didn't," Shaw replied stiffly. "As we have discussed many times before, I have no agents inside Orgrimmar. My men can only watch movement outside the city. If they are mustering a force or planning an attack, unless something stirs Dranosh'ar Blockade into a frenzy, I'm in the dark. As it is, my few men watching the gates have been engaged elsewhere on other missions assigned by you." Clenching his jaw, he added, "Sire."

While Shaw's thinly veiled accusation stirred his king's thoughts, they didn't land where he hoped they would.

"Right. So... have you heard anything more about that woman, then?"

Sighing, Shaw set aside Amarn's report and broke the seal on the Durotar agents' report he'd received just as he was leaving for his audience with Wrynn. Quickly scanning the report, he almost sighed again. He knew exactly what he'd hear as soon as he read the first few lines.

"It seems she's on the move again, sire," Shaw reluctantly summarized. "A bat from Sen'jin flew her and that Troll of hers out, heading... south." Frowning, he carefully re-read the destination. Looking up from the report, he said flatly, "They flew to Brackenwall."

Wrynn narrowed his eyes. "Is that... supposed to mean something to me?"

Suppressing an impatient snort, Shaw supplied, "It's in northern Dustwallow Marsh." Wrynn started. "Less than five miles from Theramore."

"And... your men are following her, right?"

"Yes, sire," Shaw nodded.

Puffing up like a beast scenting prey, Wrynn snarled, "If she so much as pokes her nose out of that encampment, take her. Get your hands on her. I want answers, and I don't give a shit what you have to do to get them."

Shaw wondered to himself if this woman knew anything about the planned attack; that was more important to him than any plot against the king. It was far more immediate. "Yes, sire. There are some holding cells in the guard towers up in that area; they should have no trouble locking her up."

"Her and the Troll," Wrynn demanded. "I want you on this personally, Shaw. Whatever it takes, make her talk."

Narrowing his eyes, Shaw said carefully, "There are... methods I won't allow my men to use, sire. Regarding women prisoners, even if they're Horde. I wouldn't want to set a precedent..."

"I... don't... give... a shit, Shaw," Wrynn snarled. "Whatever it takes."

References to Diary of a Mad Gamer Chick:

Trip to Dustwallow Marsh - reasons for it in chapter 39, first night there in chapter 40
Aftermath of this little interlude covered in chapters 41 through 46