Ch 10 – The Ever Darkening Skies

Rhenn gazed up at the altar before her.

The stone statue of Elune stood holding the circular moon in her hands. Rhenn watched the small gem as it turned in her hands and glowed lightly. The Shrine, though for the Night Elves, could be prayed at by any who wished to have help and guidance. She had spent much time in the Chapel of Light and this small chapel trying to find her way.

She had come to Dalaran under protest, but her King required her and she obeyed. She sighed and shook her head. She was bound to serve Varian because she alone could act in his stead as councilor and as a diplomat for she was the only person who knew his heart and his mind on matters. It was not an easy task, but she managed to do it flawlessly. Some of the races in the Outlands were won over single handedly by Rhenn. The Gilneans also were brought back into the fold by Helene and Rhenn together.

Soon, soon she would have to face reality, not be in prayer for the soul of her lost child. It was an escape of sorts. She could pray and escape the everyday cruelties that existed outside the chapel.

"It is time my Lady." A soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

She turned to see Highlord Tirion Fordring standing behind her. He bowed to the altar and then offered her a hand to help her rise to her feet. Her court robes were thick and made it at times hard for her to move.

He smiled at her. He wore his armor and the shoulder gems glowed lowly in the low light of the chapel. He was a large man and practically filled the small chapel. He was taller than Rhenn by over a foot. His paladin armor made him look even more impressive. She gazed at his Argent Crusade tabard. "I knew I would find you here." He said softly.

"I am not hard to find for those who are looking."

"Not true." He said. "I had to inquire of your daughter where you were." He took a breath as they walked from the small chapel onto the side street. "She is beautiful and so much like you. She did not only inherit your beauty, but your ability to win over people and understand them."

"My twins are opposites. One ready for war and would fight for honor and people. The other is serene and a healer of those broken in body and spirit." She said.

He chuckled lightly. "And their mother walks the road between those poles." He paused and touched her cheek gently, in almost a fatherly way. "How are you fairing?" He watched her. "We have not spoken much since my godchildren returned unscathed minus a finger."

"I am well enough." She said.

"The loss of a child is not an easy thing to bear. Time heals the wounds." He said.

"As you told me before, but I am only now coming to believe you."

"Then I am glad you are on the road to recovery." He said. "You of all people should not be sad. The very Earth cries when you weep." He took her hand and they walked together on the streets.

"I find my thoughts lost these days. I pray to the Light and Elune to show me a clear path."

"There is never a clear path, young one." He said softly. "You of all people should know this."

She looked at him. "I do not understand why I am here, Tirion." She said as they walked along the busy streets. "I have business I should be doing in Stormwind for the King and…"

He lifted a hand to silence her. "No Rhenn." He said. "Your council is held in high regard."

"I have no love of war or the pains it has wrought on the world thus far."

"I have no love for it either as well you know." He said. He leaned closer his quick eyes watching her. "Thrall has requested you here as has Varian. They worry that his presence will worry some others." He sighed. "Some do not have the understanding we do. They see skin color and race and not the soul beneath. You know honorable people when you meet them. You have this gift."

She looked up at him. "You do as well I have heard. You were once exiled for it."

He looked down and then back up. "My past does not affect the present."

She shook her head. "Of course it does." She said softly. "It has made you who you are Tirion." She pressed a hand to his chest. "It is who you are here." She pressed her fingers over his heart. She felt it beating and lifted her gaze to meet his.

He looked down at her hand and cupped it over his heart before bringing it to his lips. "You are wiser than your years Rhenn of the Tuskarr. It is an honor to know you and have you considered one of my friends. "

"As I you Tirion." She said. "Come we should arrive before we are late, my lord."

He chuckled. "It is my council, but you are right it would not be seemly if I arrived late." He leaned closer as they passed some of the mages of Kirin Tor. "Personally, I think the beer garden would have been a better place for such talk."

She smiled as he placed her hand on his arm gently and they continued to the council chamber.

In attendance already were King Varian, Thrall, Rhonin, and Highlord Darion Morgaine. The Death Knight sat to the table head's left, his helm before him, his long strawberry blonde hair held back from his face and shoulders by a thong. An empty place was beside him and beside that sat another human death knight. His gray hair and deep set eyes marked him as Thassarian. The once proud man was still a proud death knight, but he now fought hard against the Scourge as Morgaine did. Opposite him was a Blood elf death knight. His eyes were cold as they regarded Rhenn. Rhenn had heard of him. He was Koltira Deathweaver. She had heard of him and that he was the honor brother of Thassarian. Brothers in death or so she had heard.

A man came forward from the wall where he had been standing. Tirion nodded as the officer bowed. "My lady, may I present High Captain Justin Bartlett of the Skybreaker. Captain, Marquise Rhenn, councilor to his majesty, King Varian. "

Rhenn dipped her head. "It is an honor indeed to meet the man who brought my son and daughter home from the battle front."

"You give me far too much credit my lady." He dipped his head and lifted her free hand to him. He kissed the knuckles. "I merely delivered them to Dalaran. The hero work was done by Highlord Morgaine and his Knights of Ebon Blade."

"Then I owe a debt to him as well." She said turning to the Death Knight leader near her. "For it is a thankful mother for the safety of her children."

Morgaine regarded her. "You are far too young to be a mother." He murmured.

Tirion smiled a little. "Rhenn is both older and wiser than she appears."

"Thank the Gods that appearances can be deceiving." Morgaine said with a hint of a smile.

"I believe you tease me, Highlord." Rhenn said feigning outrage.

"I do believe I do." He agreed.

"Highlord." Rhenn said bowing to him.

He smiled. "A pleasure to meet the woman I have heard so much about." He said. "And the mother of Jamiy and Helene is certainly a friend to me and ally."

It was then that Rhenn noticed the male Furbolg standing behind Rhonin and they seemed to be having an animated conversation in Ursine. Rhenn knew very little of the language, but as Tirion escorted her to her seat the nearly ten foot tall humanoid bear turned to her and bowed slightly acknowledging her as a woman in the meeting. By his weapons he was a powerful warrior. Most of his right ear had been removed and an earring of feathers and glass hung from the remainder. His quick eyes followed her as he looked down at her from his height.

Rhonin rose to his feet. "Lady Rhenn, this is Chief Baergar Blackpaw of Grizzlemaw/Frost Paw tribe." He introduced. "Baergar, meet Marquise Rhenn of Stormwind and of the Kalu'ak." He said in Common.

Rhenn looked at the great bipedal bear and then clasped the great black furred arm with her own and spoke a formal Ursine greeting. The great head dipped to look at her a look of respect and awe in his eyes. Rhonin was also impressed as was Tirion as the bear gently flexed his arm and returned the greeting. His claws touched enough to pinprick her skin, but not break the skin. She felt the power the arm felt and knew this man was not someone she wanted to have against her.

Tirion nodded to the chief and continued to take her to her seat. Thrall and King Varian both rose to their feet. Tirion helped the Marquise sit between them. They two dropped into their seats when she was settled.

Varian nodded to her. "Hopefully a lady present will prevent any…loud voices from occurring."

Thrall nodded. "Yes. Discourse is often preferred to a bunch of people arguing over petty things."

Tirion took his place in the end chair looking at those whom had gathered. He nodded a greeting to Vereesa Windrunner as she came in with her Lieutenant, Sheerah. With them was Helene. Sheerah dropped into a seat. She was heavy with child and her commander dropped beside her. Helene smiled at her sister-in-law before going and sitting beside Highlord Morgaine.

Grekko had appeared as if by magic and stood nearby. He did not sit, but greeted his wife with a soft smile before he nodded to the others in the room. He then spoke to Bartlett about something to do with the Skybreaker.

The Death Knight regarded Helene a moment before leaning to her a sardonic smile on his lips. "How fairs your foot, my Lady?"

She looked at him startled. "Better, highlord. Thank you for asking."

"I just realized how much you resemble your dame, but you look very little like your sire." He looked across the table at Rhenn who was speaking in hushed tones to Thrall and Varian. He then looked up at Grekko who was still talking to Captain Bartlett.

"Jamiy looks very much like him." She said. She did not like that he was insulating that she could be someone else's issue.

He turned as Tirion rose to his feet. "Greetings my brothers and sisters. You all have been summoned to council. The Scourge gained the upper hand in the Valley of Fallen Heroes and many fell. The left flank was annihilated. Only a few survived. Lady Helene and her brother are two of the few survivors." He looked down at Helene who nodded to him. "The traitor must be dealt with. The skies over Icecrown grow dimmer by the day. Arthas must be stopped or the free peoples will be doomed to be mindless undead in his service. Men, women, and children, the Lich King cares not. They will all die at his hand unless the factions of Northrend and the world unite against this common foe."

Darion Morgaine nodded. "He kills without mercy. I have killed on his command without mercy. Thassarian and Koltira also." He took a breath. "We cannot ask for forgiveness for these crimes against the people we once belonged to, but we can make amends by forging ahead and bring down the monster that is the Lich King."

Varian nodded. "Our enemy is great. We must also protect the borders of our own peoples, but this land is rich in resources. Resources the Lich King exploits to his benefit. By working together we can take these and used them for our advantage."

Baergar rumbled and then spoke in his deep guttural language as he shifted. The room watched him and then looked to Rhonin for a translation. Rhonin nodded as the large bearlike man finished. "Baergar agrees that the evil must be dealt with. The Scourge will soon come after him and his Frost Paw and he wishes his people to remain safe. He will send what warriors he can spare. He has an ongoing battle with the Redfang."

Tirion nodded. "We thank you."

Thrall rose to his feet. The room hushed as he lifted his hands. "Some of you may not trust me and I respect that. I have given you no cause to do so, but like Rhonin I believe that the Lich King is a far greater enemy and should be dealt with by everyone, not just the Alliance and your allies."

Varian looked up at him and sighed. "Hellscream and his Horde dogs do not wish a peace. They wish to remove the Scourge and the Alliance."

"A battle with two enemies is harder to fight than one." Thrall said.

Varian nodded slowly. "I cannot partner with the Horde. At the Wrathgate the treachery of the coup of Undercity murdered far more of our brothers and sisters than Arthas. Hellscream himself has lead a successful coup and peace cannot be reached, not even against a common enemy."

Thrall sighed and sat down.

The great door opened to reveal Jamiy. The young paladin was bloodied and he removed his helm as he walked into the room.

"What is the meaning of this Captain? You were stationed in Crystalsong until we were ready for another assault." Tirion asked rising. "We are in council and are not to be…"

"Disturbed." He bowed to the council. "Yes, I am aware. I come on grave business. The Horde is readying and army. They have already attacked the Silver Covenant outpost in Crystalsong and are advancing toward Zul'Drak."

"The land of the Ice Trolls…" Rhenn whispered.

"They would not dare attack the outposts there." Morgaine said rising to his feet. "The Argent Crusade and my own Ebon Knights patrol that land."

"As does the Scourge. Hellscream seems to think that fighting the Scourge away from Icecrown will be easier." Jamiy said.

"The Trolls are a force to be reckoned with on their own. Their Gods are not to be trifled with either." Tirion mused.

Thassarian spoke. "Our brothers and sisters in Zul'Drak will need aide. To fight the Horde and the Scourge at once will not be easy."

"If Hellscream attacks the bases than he is more a fool than I thought him to be." Thrall said. He sighed. "Either that or he is mad."

"So we leave the trolls, a possible ally for the slaughter?"

"No!" A new male voice said in the room.

Everyone jumped as a great white cat leapt onto the table. The spots glowed as did the eyes of the great beast. He was a large snow leopard.

He leapt as people gathered their bearings and landed on Tirion carrying him and his chair backwards. The great cat stood over the paladin with his large clawed foot to Tirion's throat. "I cannot allow that to happen."

Tirion looked up at the beast who turned to the men who had drawn their weapons. That cat laid back his ears and growled deeply. "Stand down and allow me to speak or your leader will die."

Rhenn rose to her feet. "Do as he says." She barked.

The men lowered their weapons, but kept a weary eye on the leopard as he allowed the leader of the Argent Crusade to sit up.

The great bear dropped to his hands and knees knowing at once what this creature was.

"I will aide you against this…Horde, but these trolls are fearful of the unbalance nature that has caused the undead to walk among them. They have captured my mate and will kill her as they have the others in order to try to save themselves." The cat sat sitting. "If my mate was to be rescued the trolls might see that the path they are on is the wrong one and join the side of the people to help cast of the plague that festers the land."

Tirion shifted and the cat growled. He froze. "Who are you?" He asked. "If you are a Druid show us your true form."

Rhenn walked forward. Sitting the cat was as tall as she was. She faced the large cat. "You are Loque'nahak." She whispered. "Your mate is the goddess Har'koa." She bowed her head. "Spirit beasts are mythic creatures. How are you…?"

He cocked his head at her and perked his ears. "You know me." He narrowed his eyes. "You do not fear me as the others do." He said. "You are afraid, but there is understand in your eyes."

Rhenn reached out her hand and he nuzzled it with his nose. They gazed at each other. Images filled her mind. She let her hand drop.

"Do you understand now?" The beast asked. "You are of the earth. Grounded and connected." He looked about before leaping to the table. "I will be at the edge of Zul'Drak when you come. Let me know your decision." He dipped his head to them and then was gone like smoke.

Everyone in the room looked at each other.

Tirion rose to his feet. "Perhaps the spirit beast is right. The trolls would be an asset. We could retake the area with their help or at least not having them hinder us."

"Can we trust a cat who can speak?" Morgaine asked. "What if it was a Druid spy?"

"That was not a Druid." Thrall said. "That was a spirit beast. One of the spirits of this world in physical form. Shamans hear their voices in our rituals, but we almost never see them in physical body."

"Spirit speak. Need help. Help give." Baergar said in his thick Common as he picked himself off the ground.

"He will help us." Rhenn said. Her voice sounded far away. "If we do not help him fear the trolls, then death will sweep the places. The Gods are angry, but helping Har'koa, will turn them to aide us."

Tirion took a step toward the woman. "Rhenn what do you see?" He asked seeing the far off look int her eyes. Her body was with them, but her mind was elsewhere. He had learned well from the Dragon Queen years ago that Seers were to be respected and could be a tool."

Varian stepped forward. "Rhenn?"

"She is seeing a vision." Tirion said quietly. He watched her facial expressions. She was pale and her face held fear and disgust. "Rhenn…what do you see?"

"Death…Blood…" her voice was a low.

Highlord Morgaine and Baergar looked at the woman. The leader of Ebon Blade swallowed. "She is a Seer?"

"Yes." Varian said.

Baergar whispered something.

Varian and Grekko both move closer, but Tirion lifted his hand. "Let her see." He cautioned. "She must return to her body."

Rhenn swayed and her hand went to her head. "Helene." She whispered before she dropped toward the earth. Tirion caught her against him and dropped to one knee as he cradled her against his chest. He rolled her face to him. She was alive. Air filled her breast, but she refused to wake as Tirion called to her and tapped her face.

He looked up at the worried faces of the council. "She fainted." He said. Relief was evident on everyone's face.

Varian and Grekko joined him. She did not appear to be hurt. Tirion rose to his feet lifting her with him. Helene stepped closer and looked at her father. He nodded to her. "Go with her Helene. She was asking for you."

Tirion nodded to the council and walked out toward the infirmary with Rhenn tucked against his chest. Varian and Helene followed.

Highlord Morgaine slapped the table. "To war!" He barked.