The streets of Stormwind were grey and sombre as Jack Devereaux exited the Keep. The death of Varian Wrynn had cast a pall over the city, and everywhere he looked, people were openly crying for their fallen hero. He had gone to the Keep, along with the rest of the house of nobles, to pay his respects to King Anduin, and offer condolences to the grieving widow.
Jack had been disappointed to find that it was his dear Braelyn who had been sent to retrieve Wrynn's body, but not entirely surprised. The whole city had seen how devoted she had become to King Varian, so it was only natural that she would want to escort his body home. She was brave, and stubborn enough to stand against the wishes of those who would have kept her in Stormwind.
He had to fight back the grin that threatened to spread across his face. Everything had worked out better than he had expected, or even hoped.
Joining forces with the Defias Brotherhood had been risky, but the payoff was worth it. The Defias had given him the money he needed to retain his nobility, and in return he gave them the king's head. All that time he'd spent with the young queen had given him access to all the information he needed.
The best part was that the Defias didn't even realise that their money wasn't his ultimate goal.
Braelyn was.
With the king dead, Braelyn was vulnerable to his blackmail once more, and, this time, he had an even tighter hold on her. It would be so easy to suggest that her affair with the Grand Magister of Silvermoon had never ended, and that her husband's death was the result of a Sin'dorei plot. A plot that she had willingly participated in.
Braelyn would have to choose either a traitor's death and the ruin of her family and friends, or marriage to him.
Jack knew his hunter well; she would never endanger her family or friends willingly, so she would choose him.
They would have to wait a few years for a respectable mourning period to pass, but Braelyn was young, and he was younger than Wrynn had been when he died. Jack had the time to wait, and when they were finally husband and wife, he would have access to Braelyn's fortune as the dowager queen, as well as the power that came with it.
I never lose, dear Braelyn, Jack thought as he savoured his victory. It's time you learnt that.
By the time Braelyn returned to the Shrine of Seven Stars, Fox had returned with Mathias Shaw. The spymaster was not happy to hear about Braelyn's jaunt to the Shrine of Two Moons, and wasted no time in launching a long-winded rant about her ignoring her own safety and her responsibilities to the people of Stormwind. It began with the clichéd 'what were you thinking?' and ended with a robust 'that's what rogues are for!'.
Braelyn told him to shut the hell up and respect her authority. He was wasting valuable research time.
"My husband was attacked by the Defias," she told Shaw, describing what she'd found during her absence.
"The Defias?" Shaw didn't sound surprised exactly, but he seemed unsettled nonetheless. "What drove them into an attack on Varian now?"
"I was hoping you might be able to tell me," Braelyn said dryly. "You're the spymaster."
"I'll have Nightwind and Kearnen start investigating," Shaw said, ignoring the queen's tone. "The night elves sent some people back with Chelinka, I suggest you and I go and see what they can tell us about the King's condition."
Before meeting the new night elf arrivals, Braelyn went to check up on Varian. Bellamora and Sampson were resting on a couple of makeshift beds tucked into a corner, while her husband was being tended to by the biggest night elf she had ever seen. He was taller than most night elves she had seen, with purple skin and green hair, and a physique that could only be described as 'intimidating'.
Are those antlers?
"Is Varian showing any improvement?" Braelyn asked quietly, not wanting to startle the stranger.
The night elf looked up, his amber eyes marking him as a druid. He had a strength and warmth about him that put Braelyn at ease immediately. "His breathing has become less laboured," he said, "but I am afraid there has been no other change."
Braelyn reached a hand out to caress Varian's face, her fingers tracing his scar. She wished he would open his eyes so he could see that she was with him.
"You must Queen Braelyn," the druid said, and placed a warm hand on her shoulder. "I am Broll Bearmantle. Varian and I are old friends. I was most disappointed to miss your wedding."
Braelyn's eyes widened in shock. This was Broll Bearmantle? She felt relief surge through her. She had heard about this man and his abilities. To know that he was here with Varian gave her great comfort.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Broll," Braelyn said with a curtsy. "I am glad that you're here. It makes it easier, knowing that Varian has friendly faces to help care for him."
"You are here, and I suspect he'd appreciate your company more than mine," Broll said, a ghost of a smile on his lips.
"And I would never leave his side," Braelyn swore, "but for the fact that the cowards who attacked him need dealing with, and a cure for his condition found."
Broll's smile deepened. He was pleased to find that his friend's bride was so strong and devoted. She would need that strength, and Varian, her devotion.
"Do you know what is happening to Varian, and why he won't heal?" Braelyn asked. "The healers here said they've never seen anything like it before."
"Yes, I am familiar with this ailment," Broll said, his face darkening in a scowl. "It is the result of a foul act, one that, thankfully, can not be perpetrated very often due to the rarity of the resources needed."
The druid shifted his position so that he could look down at Braelyn. "Have you ever heard of Widow's Veil?" he asked.
"Yes." Braelyn nodded. "It's a poison. It prohibits the body's ability to respond to magical healing."
"Indeed," Broll replied, "and it is this poison we are seeing in action now."
"Are you sure?" Braelyn asked with surprise.
"Yes, I found traces of the poison around his wounds."
"But to cause this reaction they would have needed access to a huge amount of rare and expensive reagents!" Braelyn exclaimed. "It's so rare in itself, I've never even seen it. How on earth did the Defias manage it?"
"I do not know," Broll said, "and it concerns me. To think of such a weapon in the hands of such creatures... "
"Is there a cure?" Braelyn demanded.
"Yes," Broll said, but his tone indicated that it wasn't going to be easy.
"But?" Braelyn prompted. She hated to be so pushy, but Varian's life was at stake.
"Widow's Veil is a rare poison with an even rarer antidote," the druid replied slowly. He looked at the young queen and grieved he could not ease her burden. "Tyrande sent along some of her people to discuss this with you. They are in the next room, let me show you."
"It's all right, Broll," Braelyn replied, laying a hand on the night elf's arm. "I'd prefer it if you stayed with Varian. I can find the way on my own." She bent down and gave Varian a kiss, nuzzling his hair. "Hold on, darling. I'll find a way to bring you back to me."
"As you wish," Broll said, watching her as she left the room with a last, loving glance at his friend. He looked down at the unconscious Varian and smiled wistfully. "You're a lucky man, my friend. I hope you realise that."
Braelyn walked in to the room to find a group of night elves and humans gathered around a large book and arguing loudly. A lone pandaren woman stood to one side, not getting a look in. They all seemed to be either priests or druids. These must be the extra healers she asked for.
"How the hell are we going to find this thing if no one can distinguish this herb from a blade of ordinary grass?" a human man asked in frustration, glaring at the night elf next to him.
"Or even know where to look for it?" A female night elf added glumly. "I'm a centuries old herbalist, and I have never seen this before. I feel like a failure."
"Perhaps I can help?" Braelyn asked. "I trained as a herbalist." She watched in amusement as the humans of the group scurried to bow to her.
"Of course, Your Majesty!" the man said, bringing the book over to her. He pointed to the page the were discussing so earnestly. "This is the herb we need. It's called Bride's Mantle, and is said to nullify the effects of Widow's Veil. Only problem is, no one knows where it grows or can distinguish it from grass."
Braelyn looked down at the book, studying the diagram in detail, and with some confusion. Yes, the herb did look a lot like a clump of grass, but it was not identical. She could see that the herb's colouring was slightly darker than grass, with a subtle gradient. The individual blades were a little wider as well.
"I can tell the difference," she said, looking up at the others. "The colour is different, and the leaves wider." She pointed out the plant's distinguishing features, but the others still stared at the picture blankly.
Braelyn looked over to the pandaren. "Excuse me, miss? Do you want to take a look?"
"Certainly," the pandaren replied with a respectful bow. "My name is Hualing, Your Highness. My family have been herbalists for many generations." Hualing took the book in her paws and stared down at the open page.*
"Oh, I know this plant!" she exclaimed happily. "We call it Lying Grass. It is used in antidotes and some healing potions."
There was an outbreak of disbelieving mutters at the pandaren's words.
"Do either of you know where to find it?" Mathias Shaw said, pushing himself off the wall he'd been stealthing against.
Braelyn chewed her bottom lip as she thought. "The only place I ever saw it growing was just outside Menethil Harbour, and that area was hammered by the Cataclysm," she said. "It's rarer than Widow's Veil, and has a short life-span. Once you pick it, you have about twenty-four to thirty-six hours to use it before it loses its efficacy."
"In Pandaria, it grows only on the Isle of Thunder," Hualing said, frowning. "Because of this, my people only use it if they have no other options. Picking it is just too dangerous."
"Well, that's just great," the male priest from earlier said, kicking a chair. "Now what?"
"Simple," Braelyn said, "Hualing and I go the Isle of Thunder and find as much of the herb as we can, then bring it back here for Broll to use."
"Absolutely not," Shaw declared. He glared at Braelyn like she was an idiot.
"Shaw, as much as you like to think otherwise," Braelyn said firmly, "you are not in charge here, and you are not my boss. Just the opposite."
"Your Majesty, that Island is rife with both Mogu and the Horde, not to mention those hideous lizard-men," Shaw protested. "The Alliance has barely maintained a foothold, let alone any land for you to go frolicking through."
"I can go," Hualing offered. Braelyn and Shaw ceased their bickering to look at her in surprise. "Just give me a Horde tabard, and I can use it to look for the herb under the guise of doing quests for the Sunreavers. They'll just think me one of the Huojin."
"Are you sure?" Braelyn asked. Hualing nodded.
"I've never been before, but I am confident of finding my way."
"Then that's settled," Shaw said, clapping his hands. "Hualing will go find the herb, and you can stay here with the king."
"No, Shaw," Braelyn said stubbornly, glaring at the spymaster. "We do not have time to rely on just one person, and it is not fair to ask Hualing to take such a risk on her own. Get her a tabard, and she can go to the Horde controlled parts of the island. I will go to what ever territory remains to us after Jaina's folly."
Shaw opened his mouth to protest, but Braelyn cut him off by calling for Bitey. The lynx latched onto the rogue's ankles, really sinking his teeth in.
"Ouch! Light damn you, you... you... hunter!" Shaw said as he tried to free himself from Bitey's grip. "Fine! Go then! But you're taking Learen and Fox with you, and you are not wearing that armor. Too distinctive."
"It's a deal," Braelyn said. "Come, Hualing, let's find some gear."
The Isle of Thunder was a dismal place. Gloomy and oppressive with a miasma that seemed to permeate everything. It was also dank, the result, no doubt, of the constant rain that fell in either a deluge, or a fine mist.
Braelyn sighed wearily as she skirted around a small band of saurok scouts. She was exhausted, and stressed to the point of illness, after the long flight to the island. Not to mention having to deal with Lady Proudmoore.
She had once admired Jaina as a voice of reason and peace, but that admiration died after the Purge of Dalaran and her stay in Silvermoon, where she'd learned the truth about the theft of the Divine Bell. While she could understand why Jaina changed, she could not tolerate the consequences.
Jaina Proudmoore had wanted to send people out with Braelyn to help with her search, but the queen felt this would only act as a hindrance. The Kirin Tor leader had not reacted well to the rejection, but Braelyn did not care. Jaina's recent actions had not only made the search for the Bride's Mantle more difficult, but they were also indirectly responsible for Varian's current condition.
Braelyn had no qualms about telling Lady Proudmoore that, either.
"Your Highness!" Fox whispered. "I see a patch of grass over here."
Braelyn turned towards the SI: 7's voice and saw a small patch of green sloping down towards a small stream. It was awfully close to some Mogu-infested ruins, but if she were careful, she should be okay. She trusted Learen and Fox to keep her safe.
She moved quickly, making sure to keep Bitey close to her. Her face lit up as she spotted a few Bride's Mantles hidden among the grass. "I've found some!" she said quietly. "Not as much as I think Broll needs, but it's a start."
Braelyn got out her small herbalist's spade and dug the herbs out with great care before nestling them in her bag. They were hardy little plants, but she didn't want to risk damaging them. Not with Varian's life at risk.
She crossed the stream in the hope that more would be growing nearby. She saw another patch of green in the distance, but the path was blocked by a fallen statue. She tried to climb over it, but only got far enough to see that more Bride's Mantle lay ahead.
"We need to get around this," she whispered. "There's more herbs ahead."
"That would mean going through the ruins," Fox pointed out. "You want to deal with the Mogu?"
"Are you out of your stupid hunter's mind?" Learen snapped. "You may as well just let me stab you here. It'll be less painful than whatever those genocidal maniacs will do to ya."
Braelyn couldn't tell where her bodyguards were, but she took a guess and glared at them. "I am going. If you want to stay here you can, but if you want to uphold your sworn duty to my husband and our kingdom, then be quiet and follow me."
She tightened her herbalist's bag around her waist, and headed for the stairs leading up to the ruins, camouflaging herself and Bitey as she did so. The ruins were set atop a hill, and the stairs were quite steep, meaning she couldn't see any of the Mogu until she reached the top.
She had no idea if Learen was following, but she was pretty sure that Fox was. That woman took her duty to Stormwind very seriously.
The ruins were huge, and the most direct path to the Bride's Mantle was, of course, blocked. To add to their troubles, a thunderstorm rolled in, the sky darkening in dramatic fashion. The lightning serving as their main source of illumination. The thunder was spooking Bitey, who was looking like he wanted to bolt.
Progress was slow, but Braelyn believed that they would make it... right up until one of the stone statues came to life behind her. Bitey growled, long and low, then threw himself upon it, breaking Braelyn's camouflage.
"Your Majesty, look out!" Fox called, and Braelyn spun around to see several Mogu and their quillens rushing towards them. She saw the rogue dash forward and then disappear. A minute later and the quillen were dead, the Mogu roaring furiously.
Braelyn readied her bow, and took out the statue with an arcane shot. She turned back to see that Fox and Learen had taken care of the Mogu, but more of the monsters were rapidly approaching.
"Learen, get the queen out of here!" Fox yelled before vanishing again. "And don't you dare lose her!"
"Move it, Lady Bully's Eye!" Learen snarled, pushing on Braelyn's legs. She protested, knowing that she could help the rogues fight the mogu off. But Learen kept pushing, and he was aided by Bitey, who grabbed the edge of Braelyn's tabard and started to pull her along.
"What about Fox?" Braelyn yelled. "We can't just leave her!"
"We have to!" Learen replied. "You are more important. She knows that, knows she's expendable! Don't disrespect her by making her sacrifice be for nothing."
With a frustrated cry, Braelyn followed after the gnome. She could hear the sound of fighting behind her, as well as the thundering roar of the Mogu chasing after her and Learen. She didn't want to leave Fox behind, the female rogue was the only one of her SI: 7 guards that she liked.
For a minute, Braelyn was sure that she and Learen were going to make it out of the ruins safely. But then, in a period of prolonged darkness, they got turned off course. When the lightning started flashing again, they found themselves on the wrong side of the ruins, teetering on the edge of a steep slope.
"Damn it!" Braelyn and Learen swore in unison.
"You will make fine slaves!" boomed one of the mogu as they surrounded Braelyn and her guard.
"I doubt that!" Learen snarled, moving in front of her. "Be ready to roll and run," he added under his breath.
"What are you talking about, you crazy-arsed gnome?" Braelyn demanded, then screamed as, during a moment of complete darkness, Learen spun around and pushed her over the edge.
She landed on her back, not as heavily as she'd feared, and then began to slide down the rough, rock-strewn surface, clinging to her bow. It began to rain, a torrential downpour that drowned out the sound of the Mogus' battle cries.
"Learen!" Braelyn screamed. "Learen!"
There was no response.
*Hualing is Chinese for 'Flourishing fu-ling' (a type of herb). I thought it was appropriate.
AN - you know, I never intended Jack to be so villainous in this story. In my mind, Jack is as he was in Shadows; a jerk, but a loveable jerk. He was only meant to be in this story until his engagement was ruined. Somehow that all changed and I turned him into a right royal bastard. And trust me, he keeps getting worse.
Next Chapter: Braelyn tries to go unnoticed on the Isle of Thunder, but with the Horde and Mogu everywhere, it proves difficult. She runs into some old friends, and a series of revelations will force her to re-evaluate what she wants most in life.