Ch 6 – Uprisings
Fire!
Rhenn woke to the cry from somewhere in the castle. Varian was awake and tense beside her. It was near dawn and the sky was starting to lighten. Varian quickly leapt from bed with his wife and dressed quickly as Rhenn moved to dress. She was moving slower do to her awkward weight. He lifted his sword as he walked about the room. He looked back at her. Her eyes held uncertainty and almost fear as she stood in the low light hands protectively on her belly.
Varian turned to her and drew her body to him. She wore only a thin nightgown since the weather was warm and being with child she was often warm. He pressed a kiss to her mouth and drew a cloak about her as a knock came at the door.
"Your majesty?" Crispin said from outside. The Homeguard Captain's voice sounded urgent.
"Enter." Varian said knowing that they would not come to the bedchamber of the King and Queen unless there was due cause.
The Captain of the Homeguard entered with General Jonathan and several men. Behind them come Calia, Ellsa, Kallin, and Helene all in their nightgowns with cloaks. They flocked to the queen who looked about nervously.
"Majesty, there are fires being set in the town and men calling out for justice in the streets." Jonathan said. "They killed four of my men on guard duty and entered the town. They seem to be trying to gather support inside the walls."
"Who are they?" Varian asked as he reached for his armor. He fastened it easily and with the haste of an experienced warrior.
"We suspect Defias."
Varian shot a glance at his wife and his eyes dropped to her belly. If the Defias were once again rioting in the streets of Stormwind he would not allow them near his queen. Tiffin had died trying to support the Stonemasons and wanted to pay them for their work at the price they had been contracted for. As Varian had tried to pacify the crowd, a stone and been thrown at the balcony where they had been standing. Tiffin had been struck in the head and she fell with her infant son in her arms. Varian had held her as she took her dying breath. The Defias had run like the cowards they were and been gathering strength. Though Rhenn had tolerated them in Westfall as Varian had found out from SI:7 and then confronting her about her arrangements with Edwin VanCleef, even Varian had to admit the working relationship was one that had seemed to keep them from becoming a problem. That was until they had attacked the Market Place.
Named the Market Place Massacre, the Defias had killed fifteen people, three soldiers, two children, and ten civilian adults. That had made Rhenn angry and she had viciously jailed the Defias the men could round up and had them brought to Stormwind. The trials had given them stiff penalties of life in prison. Though VanCleef had not ordered the attack, Rhenn could not trust him again and had the soldiers actively hunting The Defias in the lands of Westfall and Redridge.
Anduin appeared at the door. "I will take mother to her rooms and guard her until we have more news." He was fully dressed in his armor with the exception of his helm which he held in his arm. "Ladies." He said to the women. "Would you follow me?" He asked. He offered an arm to his stepmother. "Come Mom." He said informally.
She looked at Varian who nodded. He nodded to Crispin to send Matthew, one of his best men, with them. Varian grabbed the man's arm. "On your life guard the Queen." He hissed, his worry plainly written on his face. He then turned to his wife. He embraced her lightly and kissed her before turning away to join the men.
She took Anduin's arm and allowed her stepson to lead her down the hall to her own apartments where he posted guards at the doors and then allowed her to go to her own bedroom. He hardly expected her to sleep, but she could dress and see to her own affairs to try to take her mind off.
After an hour he knocked on the private door and he was ushered in by Ellsa who had dressed in a stunning, yet serviceable handmaiden dress. The Prince smiled at the girl he was courting and kissed her lightly before stepping back. No one seemed to know of their courtship except the Queen who allowed them to court "chaperoned" in her apartments. By this she was in a different room, likely listening, but allowing them to speak freely and learn about each other. Ellsa had not had an easy life and she found it odd a prince would even think to want her hand, but she did not reject his soft private kisses and love declarations. He had told her they would marry when the war to the north had settled and he would be a better husband. She seemed content with that and being handmaiden to the queen, a prestigious honor in its own right, for now. It gave her a title and her own land, though not large, she was a Lady now and seemed to be filling roll beautifully with the guidance of her mistress. "How is she?" He asked.
She stepped back and allowed him to see his stepmother seated in the window seat looking out over the town as the sun was just rising. Sunlight was hitting the tops of the builds even as smoke caught the glow illuminating the fires. He went to her and laid a hand on her shoulder. "We will keep you safe." He promised. He admired her dress. It was simple and her hair was back from her face to allow her to see should there be action. He noticed also by how she was seated, that her dress was actually an over petticoat slit up the front with cloth breeches beneath. It was a style used for riding, but it also meant she was preparing for a fight if it came to that. It was not easily spotted, but he knew she was armed and ready, though he would not allow her to fight it if could be helped.
She looked up at her stepson. His confidence made her relax a little. "Why are they here now?"
"They are here because we have much of the army elsewhere." He said. "We are weakened and they are trying to make a point."
"That is assuming this is the Defias." She said. "I should not have started jailing them."
"You had cause." Anduin said. "At least you did not execute them. I am sure that would have been father's solution to the Massacre."
She sighed and pressed a hand to her belly where the baby was growing. If anything Anduin was more protective of his stepmother and coming sibling than his father was, and that was saying something considering Varian's almost stifling persistence on her taking it easy and lightening her appointments. Anduin hugged her to him. She allowed it enjoying the warmth and the strength she felt there. Like his father she felt safe in this embrace and it was what she needed, warmth and strength to calm her nerves.
She them pressed back from him. "Excuse me." She said. She had gone pale and moved quicker than he would have given her credit for. She picked up a small pail and wretched into it. Though it was mostly dry heaves and spittle, the acrid smell of stomach acid made Anduin take a breath to calm his own stomach. She stared at the bucket and then found herself weeping.
Anduin moved to her side and looked at her.
"Forgive me." She whispered her voice shaky. "My emotions…do not seem to be…my own lately." She said.
"Hush…" He soothed. "It's the baby." He said and looked up at Ellsa and Calia who had come with a glass of water, a packet of herbs to soothe her stomach, some crackers, and a cloth. He nodded to them. They were well versed in the morning sickness ritual. He stepped back and allowed them to take the bucket, help the Queen clean her face and eat a little. She then took the packet of herbs, a mix Thrall had made for her, and drank more water.
After a few moments her color had returned and she rose to get away from her handmaiden's fussing over her. She waved them off and drew herself up to her full height and walked back to her desk. "I need news of what is happening."
"I am sure father will tell us if there is anything…"
"He feels he should tell me and not worry me?" Rhenn asked. She shook her head. "I am going to the War Room. I am not going to be cooped up here."
"But…" Anduin looked at her handmaidens, Matthew, and the other guards. None of them seemed to be willing or able to stop the petite pregnant queen from leaving. Anduin and the handmaidens followed. Anduin protested the entire way to the War Room.
Rhenn opened the heavy door.
"…and if we move the decoy to the towers under guard and have the queen in her apartments where she would be most comfortable, it would be…" Marcus Jonathan looked up as did Varian to see who the intruder to the sanctum was.
The chatter in the room of the generals, officers, and the King stopped as the queen entered the room. She walked to her bowl chair on the dais to the side of the great table where maps of the city and dispatches lay before Varian and General Jonathan. She dropped into the chair and her handmaidens moved behind her.
"Carry on gentlemen." She said waving them to continue.
Varian cast a look to his son who shrugged helplessly before turning to his wife. "Rhenn, dearest, why are you here?" He asked.
"I am Queen and I wish to know what is going on in my capital city." She said simply. She lifted her eyes to lock with his, daring him to remove her and send her back to her rooms.
Varian knew better than to tempt her temper. They had had their rows since she had become with child, mostly over him "stifling her to the point she could not breathe", but they always had ended with soft words and gentle lovemaking. He had seen it when she was pregnant by Grekko. Her ire when pregnant had an odd threshold and it varied from day to day. He took a breath and took a step forward. "Darling, it would be better if you were further inside the keep." He said in Tuskarr, pointedly trying to keep the conversation private from the ears about them who were feigning not listening.
"This is the Keep. If I am not safe here, than I am not safe at all." She said in Common. Her voice was low and combative. The King knew she had come ready to battle words with him and he did not have time for it. She rose to her feet and shifted her weight a little awkwardly. She was already showing and the dress she wore did nothing to hide it. His eyes watched her hands go to her hips as she stared at him as if trying to win a battle of wills with her gaze. She knew full well her bluff worked well for everyone else, but Varian and Tirion Fordring. Varian had been a gladiator and she was hardly a threat to him physically. Highlord Fordring had battled far worse than a hormonal woman.
He swallowed as his mouth went dry from the strange glowing beauty she was and from the memory that haunted him of Tiffin being killed before his eyes. He took a breath as he watched in his mind's eye, Rhenn being struck in the temple, just as his beloved Tiffin had been, and dying in his arms. His face hardened. He would not allow it. Not with his Rhenn and not with their coming child within her. He had suffered once and if he lost her he was sure he would die of grief. He was not about to allow her to be anywhere near danger.
Crispin burst into the room. "Your majesty, the Defias are in the courtyard of the Keep!"
Varian and Marcus Jonathan looked at each other. Kallin was also pregnant, though she did not look like it. She was yet to show, though according to the healers she was a week or more further along than the queen. The two then swung into action. The General began barking orders to the officers in the room.
Varian, Anduin, Crispin, and the handmaidens gathered around Rhenn. Varian took his wife by the arm and pulled her from the room. There was a commotion at the bottom of the entrance. He pulled his wife along the back way to the towers.
Varian looked to the handmaidens. "Dress Remy as the queen and all, but Helene go to the queen's chambers. Anduin, Crispin go with them." He looked at the Homeguard Captain. "Have two of your best men come and stand guard here." He ordered.
Crispin nodded and the group left.
Helene looked at her stepfather and then opened the door to the tower. It was mostly used for storage these days, but had been where the jewels had been locked up and then recovered from when Doomhammer took over the city and razed much of it.
Helene was already walking up with a candle in hand when Varian took a hold of Rhenn's arms. She looked at him. Her eyes held fire. "I am to be shut up in a tower like a fairytale princess?" She asked her voice high with emotion.
"I do not have time for this." He said firmly. His scarred face betrayed his anxiousness as he knelt before her. "My love, I wish you safe. Above all else, I need you." He paused. His large hand pressed to the swell of her belly. "And I need out child to live and be safe." He said.
She scoffed as he rose to his impressive full height. He bent to kiss her and she turned her head to the side refusing to meet his kiss. He sighed knowing well she was angry with him, but he had little time to be concerned with her emotions. He kissed her cheek and put his hand under her chin to force her to look up at his grey eyes. She tried to look away, but he caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger. "I love you." He said sharply, not caring for her refusal to listen to him. His pride now was getting in the way. He was not used to someone walking away from him without a word and a hostile look. He was the King after all and refused to apologize for doing what he saw to be right.
She looked ready to spit at him, but he stooped and kissed her hard on her mouth as he held her close. His emotions poured into the kiss that was hard and bruising before he ripped himself away with a loud noise and walked away from her before he could not. He would gladly fight and die for her if he had to, but in order for the rouse to work he could be nowhere near her actual location.
She watched him go as she shook with emotion. Helene gently touched her shoulder and the ascended the tower together in silence.
Varian and the men readied for the Defias full attack. They had heard that they had tried to rally the people of Stormwind behind them by pounding doors and calling people out into the streets.
Three guards appeared and they carried the body of a man between them. A man dressed in the robes of the Church of Light was brought to the King. He was battered and seemed lifeless as the King knelt. The man called Brother Danil opened his eyes.
"Highness." He breathed.
"What has happened?" The King asked.
"Defias."
"Yes." Varian nodded.
"At Northshire." He said. "Hidden tunnels." He groaned as a paladin and a priest worked to bind his wounds.
"What hidden tunnels?" Varian asked gently touching the man's face to bring him to look at him again.
"The escape tunnels. The tunnels that kept you safe….from the orcs." The man blinked. "It is such a lonely thing to die." He whispered. "Cold…so cold." He looked about.
Varian closed his eyes and tried to remember. Tunnels…tunnels…
The Brother breathed his last and stared unseeing toward the cathedral. Anduin shut his eyes and the paladin covered him with his own cloak shaking his head.
His eyes snapped open. Surely not the tunnels beneath the mountains to the north. He had ordered them filled rubble and sealed. He barked for the guards to follow him. He had to make sure. It was a direct line to the middle of the keep if the tunnels were clear.
He ran to the chapel and gasped finding the hidden door opened by the key that had been in the library in a glass case. He turned and ran for the door.
"Rhenn!" He cried realizing his queen was the target while the rest was a distraction.
Rhenn had moved to her feet. She reached out silently to her beautiful and faithful friend who was roosted nearby. Perhaps she would have need of her. The beast woke and bellowed before moving from her ledge where she nested.
There was a knock on the door. "My Lady open up! There is trouble." A man cried from behind the heavy door.
Helene looked to her mother. Rhenn nodded and Helene went and opened the door. She was immediately pushed backwards into the wall behind her hard, stunning her. A red masked rogue female with blonde hair moved and held Helene with a knife to her throat. Another rogue woman stepped into the room holding a knife. She was followed by a small wiry man Rhenn knew all too well. His appearance was almost forgettable, but he too wore the oil stained red mask of a Defias.
"VanCleef." Rhenn stated backing away from him.
He pulled down the mask and looked at her. "Queen Rhenn. At last this country gave you your due." He smiled at her. "Much more than I can say for what they did for me and my people." He took a step forward and she shied back again.
"Have you come to kill me?" Rhenn asked. "How did you find me?"
"The decoy was clever, but would not work with a friend working here."
"Lord Gregor Lescovar?" She asked.
"Very good. Beauty and brains. No wonder Varian chose you to mother his heirs." VanCleef smiled at the Queen. He knew Rhenn well from dealing with her several times. Now she was even more of a political tool.
"You still have not answered my question." She said edging toward the window.
"No. We came to keep you safe. The blood of one Queen is forever on my hands, I would not have a second."
"And then you would ransom me back to my husband?"
"Yes." He said. "Come my lady. Let us take you from here and keep you safe and under my protection." He said.
"Your protection?"
"Yes." He said. "Come away from the window."
She backed out. "No." She said.
She jumped back to the railing as he took a step forward. "Stay where you are."
"You are wasting time. Come with us. If you jump it is a loss for everyone." He said spreading his hands.
She looked over the ledge. "Well then you will have that on your hands as well." She said and turned and jumped off the balcony to the horror of VanCleef and Helene.
Rhenn landed softly on the scaly back of her proto-drake who had been waiting for her mistress. Rhenn shifted and patted the beast's thick neck as she knelt on the back near the wings. Varian and Anduin were standing in the tower stairway where the small drafty windows looked out. Varian shook his head and smiled seeing his queen was safe. He would never understand the link the drake and her mistress shared, but the beast did everything the woman commanded without hearing the verbal clues.
The door burst open revealing Lord Gregor Lescovar bound and gagged as he was thrown to the floor at VanCleef's feet. Varian entered the room with Anduin, Crispin, and Marcus Jonathan. "Clever using the escape tunnels. How long had you been planning to attack us?" He asked.
VanCleef remained silent. His two bodyguards ran forward at the King and were quickly dealt with. Anduin went to Helene.
"Are you well sister?"
She nodded. "Mother." She gasped.
"Edwin VanCleef you are under arrest and will stand trial for your crimes against Stormwind and her people." Crispin said stepping forward. "Turn around and put your hands on your head."
VanCleef did as he was ordered. He was out numbered and he had lost his bargaining chip. He was still amazed the queen had killed herself rather than come with him.
He was bound and hauled to his feet. "Your Queen's passing was not my fault." He said finally to Varian.
He regarded the man and then nodded to the window as the proto drake landed on the railing and beat her wings before leaning forward to rest of them. Rhenn sat looking at VanCleef. "This queen has not passed yet." She said.
He looked at her and then smiled. "Well played to the last, my lady. Checkmate I believe for you."
"Perhaps." She said.
He and his conspirator were taken to the dungeons in the Keep. Varian lifted a hand and helped his queen to her feet. She nodded politely and walked out of the room. Varian was stunned and followed her.
The rest of the Defias were dealt with as Rhenn continued to make her way to the gardens and to her rooms and private garden. Helene followed as did Varian. She dropped under the great tree and sighed closing her eyes.
"Rhenny, sweetheart. Are you well? Is the baby well?" Varian asked. "Shall I fetch the physician?" He asked.
Her eyes opened and speared with a gaze that he swore would have made Winterspring feel warm to him. He swallowed and knelt beside her. He gently laid a hand on her belly and then lifted it to her cheek.
"I had the situation well in hand." She said icily. "What do are you planning on doing with Vancleef?"
"Speedy trial and his execution for the murder of Tiffin and attempted murder of you." He said sitting back.
She pushed his hand away. "He was not going to kill me."
"You do not know what he is capable of." Varian hissed.
She rose to her feet and stood over him like a fighter, hands clenched at her sides. "I know him far better than you think." She hissed and turned.
"You will stay, Rhenn Wrynn, until I give you leave to go." He said rising to his feet halting her near her garden door. He drew himself up and walked to her. She refused to look at him as he came to her. "I am sorry, that was not called for, but please. May we talk about this?" He asked.
She took a breath. "Later, perhaps, but not now. May I go, your majesty?" she asked adding a hostile note to the end.
"Yes. Go on." He said realizing she was not about to hear him out now. She needed to cool her temper. He had seen it often enough when she was angry at Grekko. He suspected it was her Blood Elf side that made her have the edge.
Rhenn pulled her cloak hood tighter about herself. She knew she should not be down in the dungeons. It was cold, dank, dark, and she was the Queen. She had allowed her temper to cool. She had to see VanCleef and speak to him. She had known him for several years and could not believe he had staged a riot to kidnap her. There had to be more.
She came to the oldest and most secure cell block. The two guards drew their weapons as they heard her approach. "Halt!" They barked.
She drew down her hood. "I am here to see the prisoner Edwin VanCleef." She said firmly.
"Your highness." They bowed.
"We are under orders. No one is to see or speak to the prisoner." One said.
"Open this door or so help me I will have you dismissed and exiled to the Outlands." She said drawing herself to her full height.
"We should not…it is the King's orders himself and…" The other said.
"I am the Queen of these lands and I tell you I am the exception to the rule. Open this door!" She growled.
"Ahhh yes your majesty." One said and opened it for her and saluted.
She stepped in to the dark cell. Edwin was bound neck, wrists, and ankles to the wall. A chain was about his middle. He was watching her as the guard followed her in with a torch which he stuck in the wall. VanCleef closed his eyes to the sudden light and Rhenn saw his face had been badly beaten. She hissed.
"Fetch me water."
"But your highness."
"Now before I end your career before it starts." She growled.
He brought the water bucket and then stood back.
"Leave me."
"I cannot leave you here."
"Do it." She turned to him.
The pair did as they were ordered and soon had the door shut.
Rhenn turned to the condemned man and sighed. "Forgive me, Edwin. I did not think they would hurt you."
"Torture is only one method to get information. It is, however, the best since it has the best results." He said. His voice was hoarse and as he spoke she could see his parched lips.
She reached down and tore part of her dress and threw it into the water. She then pressed it down and then lifted the wooden spoon. She pressed it to his lips. He looked at her and then drank small sips.
"Why this kindness?" He asked as she lifted the wet cloth and pressed it to a small cut on his brow.
"Because I still can forgive." She said. "I cannot let you be killed because my husband merely wishes vengeance."
He chuckled. "I am a scapegoat for his pinned up hatreds." He looked at her. "You should not be here in your condition. It cannot be good for the baby and your health."
She sighed. "It is dismal here." She offered him more water and then stepped back.
"I will never forget your kindness, Queen Rhenn." He said as she went to the door. "A favor if I may ask it?" He knew he had not rights to favors, least of all from a queen.
She paused and turned back to him.
"My daughter, Vanessa, she lives in Westfall. Could you provide her a place among your ladies?" He asked. "Someone with as much virtue as you, she could learn from." He took a breath. "She lives with the Saldean family."
She dipped her head to him in an affirmative response as she let herself be led to the surface.
She returned to the apartments she shared with Varian and found him at his desk writing notes. He looked up at her. "Well the prodigal wife returns." He said.
She looked at him. "Whatever do you mean husband?" She asked turning to him. "I am tired. I wish to rest." She said. She moved to go to the bedchamber door.
"Rhenny, please." He said. His voice was soft. He had risen to his feet. He was wearing the cloth clothing of a courtier. He walked forward, almost timidly, as if he feared raising her ire once more. "Can we talk? I have tea and some sweet bread for us." He said.
She sighed and then nodded. She sat down in the chair near the fireplace. He poured her a cup of tea and added milk and two clumps of sugar to it. She smiled and took the cup and let it warm her hands.
"Why were you in the dungeons?" He asked her as he sat down.
"Are you spying on me now?" She asked.
"No, but it is not hard to talk to the servants about where the queen has gone." He smiled over his cup. "Or did you forget the health of the pregnant queen is everyone's business here."
She sighed. "I had to confirm something." She said. "I do not believe Edwin VanCleef was going to hurt me." She said.
"He would say anything to gain amnesty from the death penalty." He said. "Why did you go there? I had orders for no one to see him."
She chuckled. "I am the queen." She said. "I can be very persuasive."
"Dearest, threatening my men is not the best behavior for a queen."
"Threatening your wife is not the best behavior for a king."
He nodded and smiled. "I suppose you have me there." He took a sip of his own tea. "I am sorry I made you angry. I just worry for you." He said. "I cannot abide the thought of losing you now that I have you." He said. "Please forgive my harsh words." He reached and touched her hand.
She smiled at him and set down her cup. "I know Tiffin was very dear to you and to have her killed so brought up memories when it seemed it would perhaps repeat itself." She rose and went to him. He interlocked his large fingers with her delicate ones. He smiled and pulled her into his lap his free hand wrapping about her.
"Light I love you." He whispered. He then pressed a kiss to her mouth. She shifted in his embrace and he caressed her back and down to her knees and back as he bodily lifted her with him while kissing her mouth. He stood a moment and then grinned at her. "I believe you must have your rest, my love." He said and carried her to the bedroom as her arms wrapped about his neck.
The trial began early in the morning. Edwin VanCleef stood before the court in the open air high court of Stormwind. The spectator area was full, but the Queen was visibly absent. Many wondered if she was ill due to the baby. It seemed a simple enough answer.
"For the city of Stormwind, Lord Kyle Magdalene." The chamberlain called. "For the defense, Queen Rhenn of Stormwind."
A hush fell over the spectators as the queen walked to the heavily bound and chained VanCleef. He looked at her with his unblackened eye. "Good day your highness. Good day for me to die?" He asked.
She ignored him and turned to the court with her startled husband in the high seat. "Though I know you have already passed sentence to this man without testimony, I would rather see a man truly guilty hang than an innocent one. I know well the laws of this land, though I am not Stormwind borne." She turned to the crowd. "For my own part I do not believe Edwin VanCleef guilty of the charges. If he is let it be proven and he will hang, but if not, let him return to his life and his family."
Varian rose to his feet. "Very well. Bring her highness a chair." He ordered.
The trial wore on well into the evening. Rhenn had tried to prove her case well, trying to prove his only sins were against her and her lands of Westfall which would be the lighter sentence of jail for a few years and he would keep his life. VanCleef was humbled by her effort and even more so when he took notice that Hope Saldean was in the crowd. He looked at her.
Rhenn followed his gaze and she touched his arm. "I will see her looked after."
"I can never repay your kind words and kindness."
"Kindness should never be repaid." She said.
"Does the defense have any more arguments?" Varian asked.
Rhenn rose to her feet. "Defense rests." She said.
"Very well." Varian said. "Though her majesty the queen has made a valid case for what the crimes of the modern time are she has neglected the greater crime of murder of the first queen of Stormwind before her." He looked at VanCleef. "It was due to the riots that Queen Tiffin died and left my son motherless." He looked at the Lords of the House of Nobles beside him. "For that, he will hang."
Rhenn rose to her feet in shock. "He was not even in the city and if the lords that sit beside you would have paid a living wage they would not have rioted in the first place." She cried.
"My lady it is done." VanCleef said.
"Silence!" The chamberlain barked.
Rhenn cast a look to her husband and slowly shook her head. He sighed. "Edwin VanCleef, leader of the Defias, you have been found guilty of murder of a monarch of this realm. The penalty for such an offense of death." He said.
Rhenn turned to Helene who stood near her. "Fetch Hope Saldean to me now!"
Helene blinked and moved to obey, but suddenly Rhenn was knocked to the side by a heavily armored man. She gasped for air under his weight as Calia Hastings was holding the now disarmed Hope Saldean. The girl was weeping. Rhenn saw the dagger near her face where it had been flung.
"Daddy!" She cried. Ventris offered his hand to Rhenn as he helped her up to her feet. The girl pointed at Rhenn. "Bitch hag, daughter of the foul things in the underworld, I curse you!" She yelled. "It is your fault my father will hang! Rot in hell and I will kill you myself, a task that should have succeeded before!"
"Vanessa!" VanCleef gasped. "She only tried to help." He looked at her. "Hope. Please!"
"Hope is a cruel joke, played upon us by a harsh and uncaring world. There is no Hope, there is only Vanessa." She hissed at him. She then scoffed. "Helped…you to the grave. Farewell father. Farewell your highness, long may your reign, though not if I have any say in the matter." She said sarcastically and then threw a vial on the earth and made choking smoke and a brilliant flash. As the smoke cleared she was gone and Calia was in the middle of a crown of people.
Edwin Vancleef was hung from the city gallows just after sundown. Rhenn was the last person he spoke to and he wished her well and to try and look after his headstrong daughter. He had not wished her to turn so. He had wanted her to have a good life away from his life. Though he would visit, he let the Saldean's raise her. She knew whom she was, but Hope seemed more fitting a name for she had been her father's hope of a brighter future. Now he was dying in the knowledge that his daughter had turned down the same road he did. It did not allow him to go to the grave at ease.
He was buried outside the cathedral cemetery and had a small unmarked grave. Only one person came to visit him and brought fresh flowers to the fresh grave. The Queen of Stormwind felt that she had failed him in life and so would care for him in death.