I own Vician Trannyth, Itris Highbinder, Kaxet Botfuel, Ororan Lonesnarl, Elkemin Winddreamer, Uraz'Do, Tibarn Bonefever, Rili the succubus, Death Knight Borgan Van Talen, Shadow Priestess Victoria Painbinder, Lightslayer Hiro Tombweeper, the concept of the Society of Uncorrupted Warlocks, Zachery Lancaster, Taniel the incubus, and Rose Oxworth, all else to Blizz

A/N...

Hi there. Back again. Happy New Year!

Warning: A mild curse and some drama

"Three weeks," Kalira begins, "three weeks since Rili stole Vician away. It has been three weeks since Sylvanas fell into her coma. And it was been three weeks since those Alliance Dogs fled the Undercity." She pinches the bridge of her nose, forcing away her coming headache as she paces before the group of gathered Forsaken.

Between the fleeing Alliance and the business with Rili, the Dark Ranger was at a loss for what to do. She had tried to keep it a secret, to contain the situation herself. But things had spiraled out of control; with a Zeppelin crash on one hand and desperate need to awaken Sylvanas on the other, she had broken down and opened up to Borgan. And thus, the council was born.

Kalira and Borgan had gathered up the important members of Forsaken Society in order to find a solution to the current dilemma. Originally, this makeshift council was to only have four members: Kalira, Borgan, Faranell, and Nathanos Blightcaller. However, Shadow Priestess Victoria Painbinder managed to wiggle her way in. "Aelthalyste," she said one day to Kalira, "thought it would be prudent to have the Cult's interests represented in this council and as I am second-in-command to Aelthalyste, she felt that I would service the Cult best." Of course, Kalira could hardly refuse lest the news of Sylvanas's state spread throughout the Cult and beyond like a wildfire. So, she smiled tightly and welcomed the ever nosy Shadow Priestess with open arms.

"As you know," Kalira continues, "this council has been kept—more or less—a secret from the rest of Forsaken society and thus from the Horde itself. However, now that those Alliance dogs have fled, they have no doubt told their commanders about the situation here. They probably have troops massing on our borders as we speak."

At this, Nathanos steps out of the shadows and speaks up, causing the others to turn towards him. "Unlikely. Even with the Dark Lady and the Grand Warlock indisposed, the Alliance will not march on the Undercity. There are far too many unknown variables. While there could be some who call for invasion, the most likely thing they will do is send SI:7 agents to investigate this situation."

Borgan raises an eyebrow at Nathanos analysis. "How do you know that the Alliance won't invade?" he asks, the air about him rumbling.

Nathanos shrugs and offers a yellow-stained grin, "It's what I would do."

"Still," Kalira says, drawing the attention back to her. "We must keep an eye out for any more Alliance members. And, we must find a way to awaken Sylvanas, without alerting the whole of Azeroth to our situation."

"How do you propose we accomplish this, Dark Ranger?" Faranell asks, his arms crossed and his head tilted in curiosity as his mind is engrossed with the situation at hand; while his eyes are engrossed in . . . other matters.

"Simple," Kalira says with a nod of her head. "We project an air of normality. Sylvanas is not in a coma and Vician has not been kidnapped by a rouge demonic slut. Everything is fine; at least until we can make it so."

Victoria scoffs, causing the other members of the council to look towards her. "'Simple'?" she asks incredulously. "My dear Dark Ranger, the world of politics is hardly 'simple'."

Kalira sighs and resists the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she pinches the bridge of her nose before responding tightly, "Whatever could you mean, Shadow Priestess?"

"First," she begins, "the Dark Lady is in a coma due to an incubus. Second, a succubus stole away the most powerful warlock in the world—right under your nose, I might add—and third, you caused a Zeppelin to crash." As she speaks, she counts out her list onto her right hand. "There are going to be questions. What are you going to do when Garrosh shows up, demanding to see the Dark Lady? Pretend that things are normal?"

Borgan looks from the fuming Kalira to the smug Victoria and decides to step in and up. Moving in between the two, he motions with his hands at the Shadow Priestess. "What do you propose, Victoria?"

Victoria's eyes flick from Borgan to the darkened face of Kalira before she smiles triumphantly. "We let the news slip. We tell the world that the Dark Lady has fallen into a coma and that the Alliance dogs are to blame. We can direct the Forsaken's anger at the Alliance and keep the people busy—at least until we can awaken the Banshee Queen. In this way we will get the support of the Horde, without having to answer too many questions." She folds her hands in front of herself, her head held high.

Kalira's eyes go wide, her mouth falling open. With effort, she tears her eyes away from the smug Shadow Priestess and casts her eyes about the room. Borgan matches Kalira's look and even the Royal Guards stationed around the room look shocked. Faranell and Nathanos, however, nod their heads slowly. "You can't be considering this?" Kalira splutters at the pair. "It's an insane proposal."

Nathanos turns to Kalira, his arms crossed in front of his chest and a hard glint in his eyes. "Dark Ranger," he begins slowly and purposefully, "it is the only proposal that gives us an advantage. We cannot simply keep quiet and pretend that things are normal. If you," he points at finger at her forcefully, "had come to us three weeks ago, then we would not be in this situation.

"At the very least, the Alliance does know about our situation. And since the Zeppelin crashed, Garrosh and the rest of the Horde will begin to ask questions." Nathanos shakes his head, and places his hands on his hips. "We have to come out ahead of this."

"We could," Faranell begins, stepping forward, "cast the blame to the Alliance, specifically the Gilneans. If we play our cards right, we can come out with a whole host of new territory."

Borgan shakes his head at this display. "And what of Sylvanas?" he rumbles. "How are we going to awaken her? How is claiming new territory going to awaken the Dark Lady?"

"We must think of all sides, Death Knight," Victoria says sweetly. "We will use the war as a cover to keep the people busy and focused, while we search for a way to awaken the Dark Lady. And when she does awaken, she will see the good we have done in her absence. We will be rewarded for our service."

Kalira, not believing what she is hearing, shakes her head and starts toward the door. "I cannot be a part of this madness." She turns back to face the others. "Our Queen is in a coma and all you can think of is securing more territory than we could possibly hold. Our first and only thought should be towards Sylvanas and ensuring that she will be awakened. You do not serve the Dark Lady, only your own selfish ambitions." And with that, she turns on her heel and storms out.

Borgan shakes his head and starts after Kalira. He stops only long enough to spit at Shadow Priestess Victoria's feet. "May the Shadow spit upon you," he curses, before he turns and storms after Kalira.