Chapter 2

Why was she doing this? The Crimsonfox, Fox to her friends and those she worked with, stared at the mud covering her leather gloves. Oh, who was she kidding? She was cover in mud from head to toe, and there was nothing to be done about it. Farming was not her thing. The plants she was growing were not even reagents for fatal poisons. She looked over at Farmer Yoon. He was about worthless. A true City Paw, just as Haohan said. Standing there, giving her tasks, and sending her to kiss up to the other members of the Tiller's Counsel.

Yoon had refused her plan though. She had wanted to capture the Hozen Chief Yip-Yip and drag him into a Tiller's meeting. Then stab him with one her of slower killing poisons before all members, and let them watch him wither in a tortuous death. After that Fox doubted any of the uppity farmers would trouble either her or Yoon again. But, no, instead she had to work and earn their trust and friendship. Tossing carrots in a basket for Mung Mung, she had to admit it was working. Slower then she would have liked, but things were headed in the right direction.

"Fox?"

She sat up straight and swallowed hard. She knew that voice. The golden brown eyes turned to fix on Shaw. Hell, what was he doing here? If the Leader of SI-7 had come out personally to Halfhill it had to be bad. Fox came to her feet. She took a moment to push back a strand of hair that had broken lose from her short ponytail. "Yes, Shaw. It's me."

Shaw's brown eyes sparkled with humor. "Testing camouflage?"

By the light, she knew he was going to do this to her. "Yes, but I find this to be an inferior blend of browns then that found in Elwynn. Although the ability of the locals to grow produce in the Valley of the Four Winds out paces anything we have back home."

"You could have the decency to blush Fox. I caught you rolling around in the mud like a pig." The comment had him moving out of the way as a clump of mud flew past his shoulder. "Watch that! I am your superior." That landed a clump in his chest. "You're cleaning this."

She reached down to grab up another handful, but Shaw stopped her. He sprinted over and grabbed Fox's wrist. Struggling to pull her hand away she growled, "If I am already on the hook for cleaning your armor, you have my word, I'm going all the way."

"As much as I would enjoy that, Fox, I really am here for a reason." A seriousness had entered his tone. One all Shaw's SI-7 Agents knew.

Fox let her arm go limp and Shaw dropped his hold. "Who do you want me to kill this time?"

Damn. What had they done to her over the years that this would be her reaction. "You are not being ordered to kill anyone."

"There goes my hope this mission would be fun. So I'm to gather intelligence again?" Fox's face fell as she imagined herself hold up outside a cave in Kun Lai Summit in the cold.

"No. Fox! In all Seriousness, this one shouldn't be all that bad." Shaw put his hands on her arms. A slow smile spreading over his face. Even covered in mud, she was exceptionally pretty. If not for the Night Elf he was seeing, Shaw might have made a play for Fox himself.

"You're starting to scare me." Fox stated in a flat tone. If anything she had learned in her seven years with the SI-7 it was that nothing was ever easy. It was fun and exciting. A rush to the senses filled with pure terror to exhilaration that left your heart hammering for days after.

"I have decided to dedicate your duty to entertaining the High King." Shaw watched her blank expression. Surely she would have some reaction to the promotion. "King of Stormwind? Varian Wyrnn?" He prodded. "Have you received a blow to the head, woman?"

"I know whom you are referring. I am just confused as to what you are implying. How am I, an agent of the SI-7, trained in killing and spying, suppose to entertain his Majesty? Isn't that more of a job for a noble daughter? Maybe even one of the Kirin Tor's parlor mages?"

"You think he wants to spend his off time tasting wine and talking about the fine art of needle point? Varian has been years without any real diversions. You know Pandaria well enough. Take him sightseeing. Perhaps fishing?"

"I don't fish." She scowled at the very idea. "Could you find someone else?"

"Fox." There was a warning tone in Shaw's voice. "I have everyone else working. It would take me days to track down another Agent and get them here."

"Fine." The word came out almost a groan. She reached up without thinking and rubbed more mud over her face in frustration. "Maybe I can set something up where Varian and Anduin take some father son time. I do not mind standing guard for that."

"Your idea of standing guard would be?" Shaw didn't like the sound of that.

"Stealthing in a corner where they cant see me."

"Fox!" Shaw snapped and gave her the surliest glare he could muster. She was suppose to be a distraction. What was the point of selecting Fox if Varian never even saw her. Damn it, why did his agents always come with minds of their own?

She wasn't backing down. "You want him entertained. I do not see any reason to go about this openly. I am an agent of the SI-7. When do you want us openly flaunting our presence, or is there something more to this? You better be straight with me."

Shaw squirmed. She had him there. "Fine. Do whatever you want. I just want Varian Wrynn in a better mood. Taylor and I require it to keep our sanity. I am sure Sky Admiral Rogers will be in complete agreement as well on this."

"So that's the root of all of this? I am a human sacrifice?"

"Basicly." Shaw shrugged, and then nodded quickly at her.

"Great." Fox's shoulders dropped. "Let me get Besty and I will be on my way."