I own Vician, all else to Blizz

A/N...

Oh, things are heating up :)

I don't have much to say, so...

Warning: use of language, fighting, daggers, and a snarky Lilian

The dagger presses tight into Vician's neck. Grunting against the pressure, he relaxes his arms, "Why hello, Lilian."

"I told you to leave me alone, Trannyth," she hisses into his ear, "What do you want?"

"If you take the dagger from my neck, I could tell you," Vician grunts back in reply.

The dagger digs deeper into his neck, tightening control on his air supply, "Why are you here?"

Vician gasps against the blade, "I've come to ask you for help."

The dagger eases on his neck slightly, "My help? Aren't you the 'most powerful warlock in the world' or such other crap? What could you need my help for?"

Vician sighs softly, already knowing her response, "I need you to come back to the Undercity and lead the Lightslayers."

"No," Lilian responds, taking the dagger from his neck. "I am not getting involved in Forsaken politics, especially not with the Cult; that was your crusade."

Vician turns towards Lilian, rubbing his neck and flashes a sarcastic smirk, to which Lilian rolls her eyes. "Please Lilian, I need your help. Ilius is no longer to be trusted."

Waving her hand, she motions Vician to walk with her, "What's Ilius done now?"

"He attacked Sylvanas and killed her Royal Guards. He is threatening to kill her, if I do not make the Cult submit to him."

Lilian gives him a sidelong glance, "And how is that any of my problem? You were outplayed by a superior and more cunning foe."

"That may be the case, Lilian," Vician says gently, as if speaking to a child, "but if Ilius dies, the Lightslayers will never join the Cult; they'll follow him to the grave."

Lilian chuckles, turning towards him, "You have to realize something, Trannyth, you are never going to get all of the factions to agree on anything; it is a pipe dream." Placing a hand on his chest, she looks pointedly at him, "It is better to cut your losses and accept what you can get."

Vician touches her hand gently, offering a smile, "I am never one to accept second best, Lilian. I need you to lead the Lightslayers and help me unify the Cult. It could give you that calling you desire."

Lilian looks from her hand, up to Vician's face, and down again. Squaring her jaw, she sighs, "Fine. I'll help you with the Lightslayers and the Cult, even though my gut tells me differently. But, you owe me," she pokes his chest hard, "big time."

Vician smiles and nods, "Thank you. I will give you whatever you need to confront Ilius."

A snort comes from Lilian, "Oh please, you must have forgotten, I've been trained since birth to fight; I think I can handle a cut-purse. Besides, if I know Ilius like I think I do, he's going to be off his game anyway."

Vician cocks his head, "How will he be off his game?"

Lilian gives him a pointed look, "You know of Ilius's views. He's going to be angry because you are sending a woman to do a 'man's job'," she says, using air quotes to accent her meaning.

"First of all," Vician begins, "I am not ordering you, I'm asking you and second, both Kalira and I agreed that you are the best choice because you are the most skilled, not just because you're a woman."

Lilian elbows him in the ribs, "Calm down, Trannyth. I know all of that. What I'm saying is that Ilius will let his anger against women cloud his mind, thus making the fight all the easier. Ilius is charismatic and pragmatic, but he lets his views fuel his life. And if he lets his view fuel his life, then my fighting of him will allow me to provoke him into a rage, ensuring his bloodlust will weaken his defenses."

Vician whistles softly, "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

She gives him a sidelong glance, smirking, "I can kick your ass any day of the week, don't forget that, Trannyth."

Vician matches her smirk, "I don't doubt that Lilian."

Lilian smiles, "Good. Your training begins when we get back to the Undercity."

"My what?" Vician asks, looking over at her.

"Your training," she says, "I will teach you how to fight in hand-to-hand combat. Isn't the Cult all about improving the self? So, I'll improve you by teaching you to fight, so you can defend yourself."

Vician rolls his eyes, "I know how to fight, Lilian."

Lilian goes silent and storms off ahead. Vician sighs and walks after her, intending to apologize to her, as she disappears around the corner. Just as Vician turns the corner, her fist comes out and makes a connection with his solar plexus. Vician grunts and grabs his chest, doubling over in pain. Lilian then sweeps her leg out, taking down Vician with one swipe. Standing over him, she crosses her arms, "No, you don't."