Ethan wrote a letter to Jain, and left it with Autum. She happily took it, and asked him where he was going. He evaded the question deftly, for Autum had a loose tongue. She would tell any random person on the street whatever she felt was interesting information. Ni'kua would find him later, so he felt no need to go back to the Keep, for he already had his runeblade with him.
Sapphire waited outside impatiently, pacing to and fro. Rot sat a barrel, panting girl had a dark scowl on her face, and instantly demanded what took him so long. Ethan winced.
"Sorry," He mumbled. The girl looked guilty for a second, but then snorted irritably. She grabbed Rot, and walked off, the puppy cradled in her arms. The boy followed.
"Why are you so cold?"
"Being alone for two years does that."
Ethan retorted, "You did not have to be alone though! I could have been with you. We could have..."
Sapphire looked at him curiously as he trailed off. The boy shook his head.
"Never mind," He growled.
He was acting very odd, but Sapphire did not think anything of it.
"Well, I was. I learned to not care about people. They do not care about me. They attacked me all the time in Northrend, wishing to kill me. Mortals are idiots, as if they could kill me."
Uh oh. She had called humans mortals. The boy stopped mid stride.
Ethan started, scowling, "Mortals? What does that mean? You sound as if you aren't-"
"Forget it," Sapphire snapped. They walked toward the entrance of the city. She was in a dark mood again, and cared nothing about looking at the statues out front, or the humans and Alliance members going about their daily business. She envisioned a burning city, smoke everywhere and people screaming as the statues all fell toppling onto them.
She remembered everything that had happened in Northrend. A bear roaring at her, and lunging with sharp claws. Undead trying to follow her, helped only by Invincible. A group of soldiers that had captured her and...No, Ethan would go rabid with fury if he knew what those soldiers had tried to do to her. Tried of course, for she had summoned up spikes of ice that had impaled them. Blood running down the ice. Sapphire not letting them die in order to know what they had been about to do to her. What those San'layn at the Citadel had been going to do to her if her father had not saved her. What that man in Menethil Harbor had been going to do.
Now, Sapphire knew what "sexy" meant, and loathed that word. It was vile, foul word. She did think Ethan was that at all.
And, she had figured out what Nicci had meant when she had threatened Lethumo with castration. Sapphire even knew how to do it.
Ethan was watching her warily, like some kind of dangerous animal. If he knew what she had done...
He would hate her. Maybe not betray her, or kill her. But he would never look at her the same way again.
Sapphire called Invincible when they were far enough away from Stormwind. It was getting dark, and the horse came trotting up. Sapphire allowed herself to smile.
"Hey, buddy. You forgive me?"
The horse snorted amiably, and nuzzled her with his skull. She patted his neck bones. Rot was still in Sapphire's arm, and he sniffed the horse. The puppy barked, and his tail wagged furiously. Ethan looked at the horse in surprise.
"Invincible...His horse?"
The girl lowered her eyes. She nodded. She knew who Ethan was referring to.
Invincible sniffed Ethan. This time the snort was that of derision. The horse held his head up proudly. It seemed like he was telling Sapphire that she could do better. She frowned.
"Hey, He will be riding with us now, so behave."
A neigh of outrage. Sapphire looked him directly in the glowing eye sockets. The horse lowered its head in defeat. Ethan looked confused.
"Where are we going?"
Sapphire shrugged. "I do not know...Where should we go?"
"The Eastern Plaguelands. I'm sure Highlord Mograine will want to know you live."
"No. That bastard can mourn me all he wants."
Ethan hissed angrily. "At least come with me while I go tell him."
The girl thought about it. That undead had asked her to go to Stratholme. It was not that far away. The undead might go insane at her presence there, but maybe she should get some kind of help.
The dream had disturbed her, and she wanted answers.
"All right. But can we fly there instead of deathgate?" Sapphire inquired, biting her lip. Ethan looked at Invincible's wings skeptically but nodded, triumphant. He tried to hug the girl, but Sapphire flinched. She shuddered, and hopped up onto the horse. Tears fell down her face.
"You can walk for a little bit, Ethan."
"All right, Sapphire my love," He whispered.
Lethumo reclined in a chair, hearing Kel'thuzad drone on about the structural integrity of Naxxramas. It was boring and the night elf did not really care. He looked at the Darkfallen woman across the table, and gave her a good examination. She curled her lip in disgust, showing off her teeth. They were practically extinct, the San'layn. Only four were left in their own faction. Two others were part of those loyal to Arthas. And only one female.
"Hey, sweetheart, are you-"
"Such a paltry attempt at flirtation will get you nowhere near my bedroom, Kal'dorei."
"Ooh, that hurt."
"Commander Lethumo! Are you even listening?" Kel'thuzad growled. The lich hovered behind the elf's chair. He looked up, and smiled.
"Sure thing. Where's Bigs? Oh, there he is!"
The said cat, Mr. Bigglesworth, had hopped up onto the table in the council room. The night elf held out a hand.
"Here, kitty kitty. You want a bowl of milk?" He said in a sweet voice. The cat looked at him with contempt, then started to lick itself.
"Night elf! We are here to discuss what is needed to be done this month. Not bothering my cat."
"The most important is to kill Bolvar Fordragon, and get us that parasite and put whoever he is on the throne."
The other San'layn in attendance stood up. Lethumo smirked at him. Of course he would talk.
"Surely we should find her Majesty, Sapphire Menethil, and put her on the throne? It is only right, to put up our dearly departed Master's daughter where she belongs."
"Thank you, Zyperias, for that lovely statement, but we have failed in every attempt to find her." Kel'thuzad said sadly. He was one who wanted Sapphire, for she was the daughter of his Master, and the daughter of Jaina Proudmoore, a very powerful mage. Such a combination could prove useful.
Zyperias also wanted her, but had a much simpler, more lustful reason for wanting Sapphire on the Frozen Throne. Seducing an impressionable young girl was nothing. But seducing a powerful young Lich Queen, that came with many benefits. The scars from last time he was with Sapphire were still evident on the San'layn's body. But no one was there to stab him with Frostmourne anymore. No one to stop him.
Lethumo was busy trying to get the cat closer to him. He wondered how angry the lich would be if he skinned the cat alive. Very angry, most likely. He finally gave up tempting the cat over to him. He straightened up in his chair.
"Don't worry about that, old Kel! One of my agents has recently found the poor lost little girl, and convinced her to come see Baron Rivendare in Stratholme. She should be there soon, and we will have a very welcoming surprise for her."
The lich looked at the night elf in surprise, and asked gruffly. "How do you know she will come?"
"Because...She is alone, frightened, and the prospect of dear old Uncle Kel'thuzad missing her will tug at her deprived familial ties," Lethumo said. Of course, he had no idea if the girl would come. But he would humor the old pile of bones.
Zyperias smirked, and leaned back in his own chair.