Ch 2 - Love's Burden

Death's Rise on the high cliffs overlooking the sea and the island of the Scarlet Crusade's Onslaught Harbor was one of the most desolate places in the world.

The northern sea brought frequent storms that drove rain and wind into the clothing and bodies of the living there. The Undead Death Knights seemed to take it in stride, but then they did not feel the cold. Helene and his sister-in-law did feel the cold. They sat by the fire and rubbed their hands.

A death knight initiate named Gahark brought them some warm soup. He was an orc, but seemed to accept the two women as much as his Lord-Commander Arete did. The Forsaken Lord-Commander jumped off his bony gryphon and nodded to the pair. With him was a blood elf death knight who seemed to regard them with interest.

A bellow was heard as the proto dragon, Ruby, expressed her displeasure of being here as her mistress did.

"It is too foggy to fly for the moment." Arete said in his raspy metallic voice. He looked at the beast perched above them on the ice wall. "You mount is far too wild."

Helene shook her head. "She is just fonder of warmer places." She turned to see the blood elf regarding her.

The blood elf would have been considered quite handsome if it was not for his undead glowing white eyes and his cold white skin. He came to them and squatted down beside them. "I will have a tent made ready for you and a brazier lit. There is no reason for you two to suffer here." He said. His voice was kind, but also had a hint of mocking to it.

"Thank you, Koltira." Sheerah said with a nod. She drew her cloak closer to her. She had her young children to thick of. They were safe in Dalaran for now under the care of Rhonin and Alanis. Though the mage was very introverted around many, children seemed to pull her from her shell.

Helene shivered as she sipped the warm steamy soup as Koltira directed the initiates to build the shelter. Helene looked at the bodies of the giant Vrykul whom had been killed in the taking of the ledge. Here it was too cold for the bodies to rot and so they remained where they fell.

When the shelter was finished the two women crawled into it and huddled next to the meager brazier.

"We will be able to strike at first light." Sheerah said. She looked at Helene who was still sipping the soup. "How are you holding up?"

"It is a touch cold here, but I will manage."

"You know that is not what I meant."

Helene sighed and nodded. "Yes I know." She drew her knees to her chest. "I miss Marius. I miss the baby, but I know there is some greater plan at work here. Benedictus agrees with me. What does not kill you makes me stronger. I must be pretty strong now."

"Yes." Sheerah agreed. "You have lived through much." She looked up at her sister-in-law and then out toward the sea and fog. Somewhere, not too far away, was Onslaught Harbor, the bastion of the Scarlet Crusade. The Death Knights of Ebon Blade had been murdered by these men and women and now they sought to eliminate them or at least cripple them. Highlord Fordring had offered his support, but was trying to guard the Vanguard at this time and the Pinnacle.

"How do you know if you are truly in love?" Helene asked wistfully.

"You were." Sheerah said. "I watched you with Marius."

"I miss him and I miss the baby that was growing in me, but I feel empty." She looked down.

"The feelings you feel are anger and you are in mourning. Though I know it is hard to see these feelings are good. Us them to help you fight. They give you a reason to fight. My murdered family gives me a reason to fight every day. The same goes for you."

Helene looked at her sister-in-law. She knew she was right, but she did not wish to be blinded by hatred, but part of her would never forgive the people that took from her. Hellscream and the murderers of her family.

She took a deep breath. "I am going to sleep while I can."

Sheerah nodded. "Yes. We will be on the move early tomorrow."

The next day the two flew down to survey the Onslaught Harbor. It was vast with a full harbor, many people, a cathedral, and barracks. Something flew passed Sheerah's ear and then another hit her shoulder. She looked up.

"Helene! Gryphon riders!" She called to the younger woman below her.

Helene looked up and gasped as she directed her proto dragon upwards. Ruby had been a gift from the Frostborn and she rise up at her mistress's command and grabbed the next spear with her large mouth. The gryphon riders held their ground even as Ruby roared and broke the spear with her teeth.

Helene looked back at Sheerah who had yanked out the spear and was turned and using her bow to fire at two more riders. Helene directed her beast down. The two before her followed her and she dove holding onto the reins. She then pulled up sharply just before the water's surface. One rider could not make the roll and the bird broke its neck on impact with a loud crunch. The rider gasped as she saw her fall had attracted a shark. She swam for safety, but failed to make it and the ocean turned crimson where the shark dragged her down.

Helene gasped, but was quickly brought back to the present by a javelin barely missing her shoulder. It hit Ruby who roared and turned back to face this pest who had harmed her. Helene held on as the proto flew toward the gryphon making an image in Helene's mind of what she was going to do. With her small, but deadly clawed feet she cut deep into the Gryphon's side. It shrieked in pain and bucked as it fouled the aim of its rider. Ruby then snapped at the bird's throat, missed, but got a wing and pulled.

Helene held her staff and turned backwards in her saddle and hit the man as he tried to gain balance to throw another harpoon. The butt of the staff hit him and sent him off his mount as the gryphon fell as well, its wing fouled by Ruby's bite.

Helene watched as the rider landed on the rocks below. She said a soft prayer to the Light for their souls and then directed Ruby up to help Sheerah. The young high elf was bleeding badly, but was holding her own and was trading hand-to-hand blows with a female rider. The other rider was dead below them. Helene was on the other side of the rider and envisioned Ruby opening her maw and throwing the rider off her mount.

Ruby, who did not follow verbal commands, but telepathic ones from her rider, did exactly as Helene thought. The rider cried out as the huge maw grabbed her and threw her into the space above the water far below. Ruby was quite pleased with herself and told her rider in her mind that the gryphon would make a good meal for the hungry beast.

Helene shook her head and pulled the proto dragon away as the gryphon flew back towards a roust, visibly shaken. She then reached and helped Sheerah mount behind her and took the reins of the gryphon she had ridden. She bound her sister-in-law's wound before telling Ruby to fly back to Death's Rise.

Once back to the rise and in their shelter, Helene saw to the wound properly. Sheerah sighed. "Jamiy will not be happy I was injured."

"He is over protective of you. You are an officer in your own right."

"Love is a burden Helene. When you find another to steal your heart away as Marius did, you will understand."

Helene shook her head. "I am not sure I can open myself up again. I have and got nothing but pain."

"Pain teaches us we feel." Sheerah said wincing as the priestess bound her arm with a fresh cloth. "Feeling is good. You cannot lock your heart in a box forever Helene. The risk is worth the reward, trust me, but you have to be willing to fight for it."

Helene nodded taking in the words her sister-in-law had said.

Jamiy Ambrose, Marquis of Redridge and Westfall pulled up the reins on his gryphon to start the slow decent down to the Argent Tournament Grounds. His gryphon, a dark phase large male named Ma'hi, turned lazily to start to decent downwards. Near him was Crown Prince Anduin Wrynn of Stormwind.

Jamiy sighed. He was now a member of the House of Nobles, but found he liked having his mother tend to such duties. It had struck him as odd since his mother had received the titles that he inherited them at the death of his father, but Stormwind had rather archaic laws for the aristocracy. His mother was now the Dowager Marquise. Though Jamiy did not wish to inherit the lands and responsibilities since he had his own affairs as one of the leading officers under Highlord Fordring, he had taken the seal and deeds from his mother in the public ceremony. Though his mother was still running the guild meetings, the lands of Westfall and Redridge, and being a diplomat to the king, at long last it seemed to be catching up with her. She was quieter and seemed older with the look in her eyes. The light that had danced there merrily for many years had dimmed.

Jamiy too missed his father, but since the age of seven he had been sent to learn to be a paladin under the wing of Highlord Fordring himself, just as his twin studied under the guidance of Archbishop Benedictus who was to this day grooming her to be his successor. Alanis had gone as a young child to study magic. The three children were very close to themselves and their parents and yet so far away. Perhaps it was true that the heart never forgets family.

Jamiy had been able to express his feelings of mourning to Stormwind's Crown Prince and his oldest friend. Anduin understood what it was to lose a parent, though he did not remember his mother being struck in the head by a stone flung upwards by an angry member of the mob who was aiming to hit King Varian in the arm. Tiffin Wrynn was murdered and her murder never caught just as it was with Grekko. Grekko had been killed saving the lives of his grandchildren whom were small and helpless as well as Jamiy's wife who had been fighting a crypt lord in another direction. Jamiy would always be thankful for the sacrifice his father had made.

Anduin nudged him. He realized he had landed and his friend and adopted brother smiled. "Jamiy?"

"Sorry was miles away."

"Clearly." Anduin nodded. "Thinking about your father? You have been on the ground for five minutes."

Jamiy smiled and unbuckled himself. "I have been meaning to ask you how your courting of the beautiful Gilnaean is going?"

"Way to change the subject." Anduin snorted.

"Yes, but I have been curious."

"I see your mother has been keeping you informed. Perhaps even more than I am since Ellsa is serving her."

"More like understudying her." Jamiy smiled. "Mother is grooming her to be a queen." He then clapped his hand on the broad shoulder of Anduin. "She is a good match and will make peace once and for all in Gilneas with us." He chuckled. "Did you know she brought little Emily to court as well?" He chuckled. "Well she will always be "Little to me even if she is only a few years younger." He smiled. "Princess Bess was not overly thrilled to go until Helene asked for her to train her as a priestess."

"Who is Emily? Is she the shy one that is always with Ellsa and your mother?"

"Aye. Her mother Elizabeth is the daughter of King Genn."

"Pretty lass. She needs to look at you more when you speak to her. She has beautiful eyes." Anduin said.

"She is learning that. She also is being trained as a diplomat."

"And whom better to teach her than mother." Anduin nodded. He chuckled. "How fairs your mother since your father's death? And how is your sister? Losing a husband and a child in the same day…"

"Well enough. She is stoic, but I know she is heartbroken." He looked forward to where they were walking. Highlord Darion Morgaine had caught sight of them and was heading to them. "Helene is more complex, but she is taking her husband's death far harder than mother appears to be in public." He dipped his head to the leader of Ebon Blade. "Greetings Highlord Morgaine." A woman was with him.

Anduin took the hand of the young woman. "Princess Kirtessa" He greeted the fellow royal with a kiss on her hand.

She smiled a little. "Everyone calls me Tess, Prince Anduin."

"Lord Jamiy. Prince Anduin." The metallic voice said. He looked down at the small woman next to him. "Princess Tess is on a surveying mission for her father." He then lifted his head. "Can I speak with you a moment in private, Jamiy?"

"Of course." Jamiy said.

Darion nodded to the young woman. "If you excuse me a moment, my lady. I am sure Prince Anduin can continue the tour of the grounds. I was taking her to the Argent Pavilion."

Anduin nodded and offered his arm to her. Tess took it and walked with him as he spoke to her.

Darion smiled and then turned back to Jamiy. "I was asked by Highlord Fordring to look after her." He said.

"Indeed." Jamiy looked up at the tall Death Knight. "What did you wish to speak to me about?"

Darion took a breath. "Your sister. Is she well? She has not written me in sometime."

"My sister writes you letters?" Jamiy asked arching an eyebrow.

"Aye. She is a good friend in how I remember friendship. She writes beautiful poetry and talks of her dreams." He looked down at Jamiy. "She was very happy with her marriage to a man who saw her as a person."

"You sound almost jealous." Jamiy said. "If I did not know better."

Darion scoffed. "She was happy. If ever a creature on this earth deserves happiness it is that gentle soul. She heals everything she touches and warms souls." He rubbed a hand over his cold face. It was the first emotion Jamiy had ever seen from the undead man. He cared for his sister. He really did. Even if he tried to deny it.

"She needs friends now. You could write her. I will deliver it." Jamiy offered.

"Young paladin I used to have time for such things, but now I do not."

"It would mean a lot to her. She likes the friendship she has with you. She has often told me and she asks about you frequently when we are in the field."

"Don't lie to soothe me."

"I wasn't." Jamiy said.

Darion moved quickly and pinned Jamiy to the wall. "Do not lie to me. She is too good of a soul to be anywhere near the likes of me."

Jamiy met his gaze boldly. "Then don't like to yourself." He hissed. "If you care for her let her know."

Darion released him. "How can I?" He asked. "I am undead. What can I offer her?" He turned to walk away before the emotions in what remained of his heart overwhelmed him.

Jamiy's voice reached him. "You offer far more than any can understand. She chose you for being a friend. Do not abandon her now."

Darion paused and then continued walking.

Jamiy shook his head. The fool was so driven by hate that having Helene on his mind was a distraction at best, but Jamiy also knew that part of that man loved his sister. Loved was likely too strong. He cared for her, even if he was not willing to admit it. Perhaps one day he would speak to her about his feelings. Jamiy also wondered if he was bitted because Helene had chosen another man over him. Darion had been known to be a reckless youth that did not take betrayal well as shown when he confronted his brother about murdering their father. Morgaine had always said it was Ashbringer, the great sword that Tirion Fordring now wielded that had killed his brother, but Jamiy suspected Darion killed his brother as his brother had murdered their sire.

Jamiy rejoined Anduin and the Princess of Gilneas. Jamiy had introduced her to the leader of the Argent Crusader there, Justicar Mariel Trueheart. She had received her title from the Draenai of the Argent Crusade for her skills in battle. Justicar was a title given to paladin elites of the Draenai, but they did bestow the honor on those they felt deserved it. It was also one of Jamiy's titles.

Tess and Mariel were deep in conversation as Anduin stepped back to his brother who was leaning against a post watching. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

Jamiy laughed. "Of course brother. What is troubling you?"

"How do you know you are truly in love with someone?" He dropped his voice. "How did you know Sheerah was the one for you?"

"You know." Jamiy said. He was the proud father of two children and he hoped for more, but he was seeing his wife less and less and his children, who were in Stormwind learning from the schools there, he saw even less than his wife. Sighing he looked at Anduin. "Being in love and it being so deep makes you know you can do everything together and apart and still have the same affection. Does my mother's hand at match making displeased you?"

"No." Anduin said. "I think it has worked far too well. But she is a Gilnean. Will the people accept her as their Queen?"

Jamiy looked at Anduin. "Does that really matter?"

"For my crown, yes. For me? No."

Jamiy laughed. "If I recall your father married Tiffin in an arranged marriage and he did not like her, but grew to love her. You have someone you love and feel in your heart that you can bring to the kingdom." He then chuckled. "Besides with mother's endorsement, the people will be eating out of her hands."

"Her own people reject her." Anduin said. "I do not know why. She is comely, intelligent, not affected by the Worgen Plague…"

"Perhaps that is why. They are jealous that she remains fully human."

"Her guardian shut her in her room for months and only fed her once a day. What kind of man does that to his own family members?"

"One who is either afraid for her or one who is afraid of her." Jamiy shrugged. "She is with mother now and will make you a fine wife."

"You think so?"

Jamiy laughed. "Of course. If she can keep up with mother than she is a queen in the making."