Chapter 1
It should have been a wonderful day at Lion's Landing in Krasarang Wilds. The sun was shining brightly, and a cool breeze was blowing in from the Krasarang Cove. There was even the flavorful scent of fresh banquets by the very best trained Pandarian Chefs wafting in the air. Yet Admiral Taylor and Mathias Shaw Leader of the SI-7 looked as if a hurricane was rolling in.
Taylor rubbed his brow in frustration. "Some days I wish I had drown in Vashj'ir when that mercenary ship sank."
"You get used to it, Admiral." Shaw straightened his back. "One thing I learned is Nobles and Royals are rarely pleased. The higher they are the more impossible it becomes."
"Which is why I was less then thrilled to escort Prince Anduin out of Stormwind in the first place." Taylor shook his head, "But here I am, in a far off continent getting my ass reamed by his father. My ranks are spread thin as it is. Most of the time I have to hand jobs out to adventures and Alliance Heroes for inordinate amounts of gold."
"I hear you on that. At least we are bank rolled by the Alliance. I have no idea how the freelancers get by." Shaw sighed deeply.
"I can tell you this. If it were one of my men acting like this, I would order some shore leave with lots of booze and women." Taylor turned to head back to his duty station.
Shaw's gaze followed the other man. It was rare that Taylor had ideas that appealed to Shaw, but this one did. King Varian Wrynn had not been relieved of his stress since before Anduin had been born. The loss of his wife, a magical depression beset upon him at the hands of Onxyia, and then split asunder by dark magic into two beings for a time. The King had been been dealing with War and Strife his entire life. The Prince was soon to be fourteen. That was a long time to go without a break of some type. Still who could possibly suggest such a thing with Garrosh totting around a piece of an Old God? Varian was under more stress then ever to maintain tight control of the Alliance. Plus he was dancing a fine line with Vol'jin when it came to aiding the rebel forces of the Horde.
No, this was not something to suggest. It was going to have to be covertly planned out and set in motion. Shaw looked out at the waves in contemplation. Who did he have under his command that would fit the job. Someone whose duties that would not be missed or questioned. Certainly had to be a breathtaking example of the female form. Varian's preference was at least clear on that account. Then there had to be some mutual connection. The King's time as Lo'gosh would match easily with any battleground tested agent. The list grew smaller with each added criteria. Shaw pondered a moment more and decided on a human. Someone of Stormwind, born and raised amoung their people would be best.
A groan escaped Shaw as he realized that he had not been narrowing the field. He had someone in mind from the first, and was merely acknowledging her qualifications. Now the hard part, finding her. He made his way up the slope to where Amber Kearnen stood looking out at the carnage they had made of Garrosh'ar Point.
"Amber." The gruff tone he used turned the SI-7 sniper instantly.
"Shaw!" Amber tossed a hasty glance back at the sunken Horde ships then back to Shaw.
He came to stand next to her. Looking out with a somber expression. "Missing Rell?"
Tears filled the agent's eyes almost instantly, but she held them back. "I am fine. Do you have a mission for me?"
An open lie planted boldly in his face. Shaw decided to finish his objective quickly and leave her to her pain. "I just need some information. The Crimsonfox, do you know where I can find her?"
"Fox? Last I heard she was working between Timeless Isles and the Tillers in Halfhill." Amber cocked up and eyebrow. "Considering the time of day, I would wager on Halfhill. She works her farm early."
Shaw choked. "Fox is farming, you say? Are you sure?" Not what he expected from one of his most experienced battleground rogues.
"Yes, sir. Besty has been unwell and Fox is hoping to raise enough funds to retire her." Amber supplied easily.
"She's still on that ancient gryphon?" Shaw was truly surprised. He figured the creature would have been dead by now.
"Not much use for flying in battlegrounds, arena fights, and Timeless Isles, according to our Fox."
"True enough. Carry on as you were." Shaw turned and walked toward the gryphon master. He would handle this himself. Halfhill was not that far off. As he waited for them to bring his ride he caught sight of Varian's large imposing Grand Armored Gryphon. An image of old Besty filled his mind. Oh yes, this was going to be amusing on so many levels, and not just to the King.