The day of Braelyn's date with Jack arrived quicker than she would have liked, and things had started to go wrong from the moment she woke up. One of the maids set fire to the kitchen when cooking breakfast. Then one of Odariah's students hit her with a psychic scream and sent her running into the murloc infested Crystal Lake, which caused said murlocs to go crazy. Then the Brackwell's new pig got loose and joined the murlocs in their crazed rampage through Goldshire. It took hours to get things sorted out and everyone calmed down.
And then Ellysan Hawke's reign of terror began.
Braelyn was bathed in rose infused water, and scrubbed to within an inch of her life. Her hair was washed, curled, and scented, and her skin slathered with lotion after lotion. Ellysan had even hired one of her friend's daughters to do Braelyn's makeup. Thankfully, the other young woman was sympathetic to Braelyn's plight, and made sure the make up was subtle and not the dramatic femme fatale look Ellysan was after.
Then her father said that before she met Jack in the Trade Quarter, Braelyn needed to deliver a letter to the king. Remembering what happened to her the last time she played mail carrier to King Varian, Braelyn tried her best to get out of the task, but her father was insistent.
Braelyn Hawke was returning to Stormwind Keep.
Braelyn was not in the best of moods as she climbed the stairs leading to the Keep. Her dress was floor-length, meaning she had to had to constantly hold it up or risk tripping over it and into a canal. It was also Stormwind blue, something Braelyn had avoided wearing as it was Rommath's favourite colour on her. Her hair was loose, falling down her back in a river of curls that seemed to bounce with every step. Her sapphire earrings were dangly, and her necklace felt heavy around her neck. She couldn't escape the smell of roses.
In short, everything about Braelyn's outfit annoyed her. Infinitely.
Her mood didn't improve when the king's chief steward intercepted her the moment she set foot in the throne room. His name was Dominic, and he was the man who'd looked down on her the first time she came to the Keep. She could tell by the look on his face that he was having trouble associating the woman who now stood before him with the young hunter with dirty leather armor and messy hair she'd been almost two years ago.
"My father, Jasper Hawke, would like me to deliver a letter to King Varian," she said, showing him the rolled up parchment.
"Into his hand again?" Dominic asked, trying to keep his eyes off the curve of Braelyn's hip.
"Yes, please."
"Then take a seat, Miss Hawke, and I will inform His Majesty of your presence," the steward said, bowing to her before leaving.
Braelyn was too nervous about her 'date' to sit still, so she paced up and down the throne room. It had hardly changed since her last visit, although there seemed to be more guards on duty than before, despite the fact that the room was almost deserted. Had a threat been made against the king or his son?
Braelyn did not have to wait long before Dominic returned. "Follow me, Miss Hawke," he said. "The king will see you now."
King Varian was in his office, leaning casually against his desk, but he wasn't alone. Seated in front of him were King Genn Greymane and Mathias Shaw, the head of SI: 7. While Braelyn was happy to see King Genn again, the sight of Shaw almost made her throw the letter at King Varian and run away.
"Miss Braelyn Hawke, your highness," Dominic announced before bowing and leaving her to her fate.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Braelyn said, fighting the urge to fidget. All three men were staring at her, the two kings in surprise at her outfit, and Shaw with recognition.
"Not at all," Varian said, stepping forward to kiss her hand. "You've met Genn, of course, but let me introduce you to Mathias Shaw, the head of Stormwind Intelligence."
Braelyn had to force herself to look at Shaw as she held out her hand for him to take. He gave her an inscrutable look as he kissed her hand. "A pleasure to see you again, Miss Hawke," the spymaster said. "I trust you've kept out of trouble?"
"I'm trying to," Braelyn said, horrified to hear how defensive she sounded. Damn rogue. He just couldn't pretend he didn't know her, could he?
"You two know each other?" Varian asked, lifting an eyebrow in curiosity.
"We've met before," Shaw admitted, but, thankfully, he did not elaborate, and the king did not pursue his line of questioning.
"You look lovely this evening, Braelyn," King Genn said, taking her by the hand. "What's the special occasion?"
"I, uh, I'm going on a date," Braelyn said, blushing. Talking about her personal life with the Kings was not something she'd planned on doing.
"Ah, to be young again," King Genn said in a wistful tone. "You know, I still remember my first date with Mia." He looked at Braelyn with a twinkle in his eyes. "So, who's the lucky man?"
Braelyn started. There was no way she was going to admit to going on a date with Jack. As a nobleman, he'd be well-known to the king, and Shaw was even more knowledgeable about the noble rogue. Worse still, the spymaster obviously remembered Braelyn's past affair with the thief and how it had ended. He'd not be pleased to hear that she was involved with him once more.
"Oh, uh, just somebody my parents set me up with," Braelyn blurted out. "No one special."
"Miss Hawke," Varian replied with amusement, "ladies do not dress up like that for 'no one special'. I'm intrigued now. I insist you tell us who the lucky man is."
As Braelyn stood there being stared at expectantly by the three most powerful men in Stormwind, she thought that she now knew what deers felt like when they saw wolves heading in their direction. She saw that she could not avoid answering the king's question, so braced herself for the worst.
"I'm having dinner with Lord Devereaux," she said, attempting to hide her blushing face behind her hair.
"Jack Devereaux?" the king asked. Braelyn nodded in response, unhappy to see that the two kings were exchanging concerned looks. Mathias Shaw looked very displeased. "And your parents are all right with you seeing him?"
"Yes, your highness," Braelyn said. "My parents have both met him. My mother is particularly impressed with him."
Light have mercy, can this get any more awkward?
"And are you all right with seeing him?" Shaw asked, eyes boring into Braelyn's forehead as she refused to look at him.
"Yes," Braelyn said, again sounding defensive. "Yes I am."
Ugh, I should have said no, she thought. Maybe Shaw would've gone and stabbed him for me.
"Well, then," King Genn said with an awkward cough, "I wish you a pleasant evening. Come, Shaw, we best let Miss Hawke see to her business with Varian. We shouldn't keep her away from her young man for too long."
Braelyn's eye twitched as the two men left, and was bit forceful in handing her father's missive over to King Varian. "I never realised that King Genn was such a romantic," she said, finally finding the courage to look at King Varian.
"Not just Genn," Varian replied with a quick grin. "The Gilnean race in general is full of love fools."
Braelyn couldn't help the giggle that escaped her at that comment. She looked more closely at the King of Stormwind as he opened her father's letter. He was a rather intimidating man, tall and clad in heavy plate armor, his mighty sword Shalamayne strapped to his back. The scar running across his face gave him a menacing air, and his eyes, a vibrant sapphire colour, were stern and often aloof. The man radiated strength and power, and Braelyn was thankful she was not listed among his enemies.
From her previous meetings with the king, Braelyn knew he was capable of great anger. But he had the strength of will to control it, and it tended to burn out quickly. He also had a sly sense of humour, and took delight in teasing those around him, friends or loyal subjects alike.
Braelyn was glad he was their king. She wished bitterly that Jack Devereaux was half the man Varian Wrynn was. Then she might actually enjoy her dinner.
"I must admit," the king said, "that this brings back memories." He read quickly, nodding with approval at what her father had written. "A list of suggestions on how to improve Goldshire's security after the latest raid," he added. "I'm glad to see I'm not being asked to send you off into war this time."
The king's statement was meant as a joke, but Braelyn flinched in pain, and tears gathered in her eyes. The day had already been so stressful, and to be reminded of the event that set her on the path to Silvermoon was just too much.
Her gasp drew the King's attention to her, and he immediately took Braelyn by the hand and guided her to a nearby chair. "I'm sorry, Miss Hawke, that was insensitive of me," he apologised, rubbing the back of her hand.
"It's all right, your highness," Braelyn said, and took a deep breath. "I can't avoid the memories all the time."
"But I shouldn't be reminding you of them unnecessarily," he said, genuinely remorseful. "Would you like a drink?"
"No, thank you, my king," she replied.
"I never told you how much I admired your strength, did I?" the King asked, looking her in the eye. Braelyn stared in surprise, feeling a little flustered.
"No," she said softly, "but even if you had, I never would have believed you. I don't feel strong."
"You're still alive, aren't you?" the king asked. "Still living a productive life?"
"Well, yes, but... "
"No buts, Miss Hawke," King Varian interrupted. "You survived things that would have killed other people. Kept hoping when others would have given up. Whatever happened to you in Silvermoon didn't change you, didn't cause you to retreat from life. You are stronger than you think, and that is something to be proud of."
The king's gaze was earnest, and Braelyn felt so much better than when she'd entered the Keep. She smiled at him, a genuine smile that lit up her face. "Thank you, your majesty."
"You're welcome," the King replied, kissing her hand again. "Now, I'd better let you go before Lord Devereaux decides to storm the palace."
Braelyn rose to her feet and curtsied to King Varian. She graced him with another smile as she turned and left the room. With a lighter heart, she felt prepared to deal with anything Jack might throw at her.
Mathias Shaw waited outside the king's office completely invisible to passersby. He'd been alarmed to hear that Braelyn Hawke was dating Jack Devereaux again. He remembered the mess the young lady had been when he'd first met her all those years ago. Devereaux had broken her heart, and left her in a situation that could have ruined her whole life, and her parents' reputations.
So why was she going back to him?
If it weren't for how defensive Braelyn had been when talking about Devereaux, Shaw may have left her to her fate, despite his displeasure. Who was he to intervene if foolish young women wanted to throw themselves at scumbags who treated them badly? But Braelyn did not strike him as a fool, and she had been defensive, and that caught Shaw's attention.
What if she hadn't been an innocent victim of Devereaux's but a willing accomplice? What if he and Nightwind had been fooled?
No.
That couldn't be right. Braelyn Hawke wasn't capable of deceiving both him and Rell. One of them, perhaps... but Shaw still didn't think it was likely. Why, then, would she consent to spend time with Jack Devereaux again? What did the nobleman want with her?
It still rankled Shaw that Devereaux had escaped seven years ago, and with such sensitive information. He'd give up his job before he let that bastard outsmart him again. Best find out what he's up to now, and not wait until his mischief was causing chaos.
So when Braelyn exited the king's office and left the Keep, Shaw was right behind her.
Braelyn groaned when she saw who was standing outside the Gilded Rose. It was one of Odariah's friends, a human woman named Chelinka. The fire mage had accompanied them on a few of their adventures prior to Braelyn and her cousin meeting Bitsie Sprazzletorque. Then she and the rogue joined forces and sent the mage on her way.
It wasn't that Braelyn disliked Chelinka; the mage was good fun and loyal to her friends, whether they wanted her to be or not. It's just that she and Odariah fed off each other's bold and rather reckless personalities, resulting in good situations turning bad, and bad situations turning catastrophic, especially if authority figures were involved. Braelyn still couldn't enter Booty Bay without a dozen Bruisers following her around until she left.
"Braelyn Hawke? Is that you?" Chelinka cried, her vivid green eyes lighting up in delight as she spotted the hunter coming her way.
"Hey, Chelinka. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Just got back from Pandaria. Things are going craaaaazy on the Isle of Thunder between the Kirin Tor and Sunreavers," the mage said, speaking so fast Braelyn could barely understand what she was saying. "Speaking of the Sunreavers, I heard that you got abducted by blood elves or something."
"Uh, yeah. A death knight took me to Silvermoon for a while."
"Fun times not had by all, huh?" Chelinka continued.
"You could say that," Braelyn replied, beginning to lose her good mood. She didn't want to talk about Silvermoon anymore today.
"Say no more," Chelinka said, noticing her friend's discomfort. She patted Braelyn on the shoulder. "You're looking really hot tonight, Braelyn, you got a new man?"
Braelyn couldn't help but grin at the abrupt change of subject. Chelinka was as subtle as a firebolt to the face. "I've got a date, yes, though I wouldn't call him my man just yet." Or ever.
"Oooooh!" Chelinka exclaimed, black hair swinging, as she actually danced with excitement. "Who is it? Is it someone we know? Does Andorien have a brother?"
"It would be me," Jack said as he suddenly appeared by Braelyn's side, placing a warm hand on the small of her back. He gave Braelyn a charming grin. "I'm sorry I'm late, my dear, but I had business with the house of nobles."
Jack turned to Chelinka and bowed. "Lord Jonathan Devereaux, at your service," he said.
"You're Jack Devereaux?" Chelinka asked in a confrontational tone that put Braelyn on alert. The mage turned to her friend. "Are you out of your mind, girl?! Didn't he already break your heart once?"
Braelyn blushed bright red as Chelinka's outraged tone drew the attention of several people, including some city guards. "How do you know... "
"'Riah told me," Chelinka said, glaring at Jack. Braelyn sighed. Of course Odariah told her. For a priest, Braelyn's cousin was the worst secret keeper in Azeroth.
"I assure you, miss, that I have no intention of hurting Braelyn again," Jack said, his voice polite, but his eyes promising death. "In fact, this evening is all about showing Rae how sorry I am."
Braelyn barely held back a snort, but Chelinka did not bother with such politeness. She kept eyeing the rogue with distrust. She took Braelyn's hand, as if wanting to drag her friend away. "I don't think you should go with him, Braelyn. He'll only hurt you again."
"This is none of your business, mage," Jack interjected.
"It is, too! Braelyn's my friend."
Braelyn half wanted to let Chelinka deal with Jack, but knew that if she did, they'd all probably end up in jail, and the Trade Quarter would be in flames. So she put a hand on the mage's shoulder and squeezed it. "It's all right, Chelinka. I know what I'm doing. Trust me."
Chelinka opened her mouth to protest, but Braelyn shook her. "Leave it, my friend. If you want to help me, just let it go," she said stubbornly.
The mage glared at both Braelyn and Jack before letting out a frustrated huff. She gave Braelyn a hug. "If you're sure that's what you want," she said. She narrowed her eyes at the rogue. "If anything happens to her, I'm coming after you, nobility be damned."
"You're most welcome to try," Jack sneered in response.
Braelyn smiled weakly at Chelinka as the mage turned and walked away muttering about 'no-good rogues and crazy-assed hunters'. Jack slipped her arm under his and began guiding her towards Cathedral Square.
"Now that that unpleasantness is out of the way," he said, nodding at some passing nobles who were staring at Braelyn with open curiosity, "let me escort you somewhere special."
Braelyn remained silent for the entire trip, uncertain that she would not start screaming or push Jack into the canal. It didn't matter, anyway, Jack talked enough for the two of them, telling her about his landed estates and manor house in the city.
She was not impressed, having heard it all before from Mathias Shaw. After she'd been arrested. Because of Jack.
Urge to kill rising.
"And here we are," Jack announced with a grand flourish. "Stormwind's newest, and most exclusive, gourmet restaurant."
Braelyn couldn't believe what she was seeing. After the day she'd had, the name of the fancy little restaurant did not bode well for the rest of her evening.
It was called 'The Rampaging Murloc'.
AN - Chelinka belongs to ChelinkatheArchmage. Hope I didn't butcher her too badly, Chel. Braelyn loves her, truly.
I love Mathias Shaw and dear old Winston Churchill... I mean, King Genn.
Next chapter: Braelyn's dinner date is easier to endure than she thought. Until it ends. And drunken Braelyn may or may not make an appearance.