Chapter 5

"Fox, that is not a fishing pole." Varian suppressed a chuckle. The blue eyes moving over the Human Rogue as she stepped back to keep the ocean waves from drenching her feet.

"Ben of the Booming Voice said it was perfectly acceptable when I stopped in Halfhill." Fox looked back at him. She fought back a scowl at his amusement.

"Obviously he doesn't know as much as he claims, because that is a stick with the string tied to it." Varian walked over and took the device from her. He looked it over, even tested the flexibility of the branch in his hands. The cracking sound didn't phase him as it did Fox.

"Your Majesty!" Fox stepped forward. A look of horror flashing at the pole split more. "I will have you know I caught quite a few carp with that last night."

"I can assure you that you will not be catching any more with it now." Varian turned in a circle before launching it into the dunes behind him. Not sparing a glance over to Fox. He went to his gryphon and pulled out an Arcanite fishing pole. He looked it over before tossing Fox a cock sure smile. "Now this is a fishing pole."

"Really. I thought yours would be encrusted with precious gems." There was almost a detectable growl in her tone.

Varian laughed some more and walked toward her. "No. I keep the Jeweled Fishing pole, in Stormwind. This one, I won in the fishing contested in Stranglethorn."

Fox was not putting it past him to stand on the dock and have the most elite fishermen of Stormwind hand over their catch. "I am completely impressed."

"You don't have to lie, Fox. I can hear the condescension in your tone."

"My apologies, High King." Fox's head snapped up after realizing he was completely right. She had been condensing, and a bit more then belligerent in her mind. No way to act before the leader of the Alliance. Wasn't she out here to keep him in good spirits? A tactical diversion form the stress and pressures he was currently under?

"Alright. I promised I would teach you to fish." Varian held out the pole to her. "And seeing as this is the only suitable pole we have, I want you to use it."

The amber brown eyes grew wide as Fox stepped backwards. Suddenly appearing as hesitant as she felt.

"Stop that. I am insisting that you learn. Someday you may find yourself stranded without any other way to feed yourself. Fishing can be a useful skill." Varian motioned her over.

There was merit in his words so Fox took the rod in hand. It was far heavier then her stick and string. Which made her really miss the Pandarian contraption. She felt uncomfortable as Varian baited the hook and moved back. The first cast, if you could even call it that, was an utter failure.

"Was that one of Ben's techniques too? Slapping the lure off the water?" Varian scoffed. He looked from the lure to Fox with disappointment. "You did say you actually caught some fish last night? Did they jump in your basket? Because that is about the only way I can see that happening."

Fox blushed madly and began reeling in the line. The effort only greeted with a gasp of sheer horror.

"Not so jerky, seriously Fox. Fishing does take some skill." Varian came behind her and took hold of the reel. "Smooth turn and slow. Then smooth turn again. See, be gentle with it."

The words were lost on Fox. Her sole concern was in condensing herself to evade the large plate arms on either side of her. She tried to look up at him, but Varian was standing so closely that the back of her head came in contact with the breastplate covering his chest. Carefully she turned her face to the side only to have her vision obstructed by a large lion headed clasp for his cloak.

"You are not paying attention, Fox." Varian looked down. Catching her gazing off to what he presumed was nothing. "The reel is in front of you. It's no wonder Ben was having issues teaching you. You have the attention span of a marmot."

Fox turned her head to gaze out at the sea. She could feel the embarrassed blush burning her face. "Yes, your Majesty."

Varian reached out and looked at the missing lure. He stepped away to retrieve another. Leaving Fox to heavy a huge sigh of relief. A hand lifted to place over her chest. Varian rummaged through his gnomish tackle box again. "Those Engineers of mine need a talking too. This batch are not nearly as sturdy as the last few shipments I received."

Fox watched as Varian focused his full attention in the lure. She fought the urge to wring her hands before her. A nervous habit she had never gained mastery over. This was certainly not her thing. She had taken well to being a rogue. Hiding in shadow and fighting with her blades had been far easier lessons. Now being forced to preform under such royal and intense scrutiny had her longing to vanish. For all the good it would do her in the end,

"Now I am going to let you cast it again with a little guidance. It's more of a light toss then a hard throw." The pole was thrust back into her grasp and Varian waited for her to use it.

Fox steeled herself with a deep breath. She gave the line the gentle toss as she was instructed. To gentle as it turned out. The hook skimming the top on her head and latching into her hair. She reacted up on instinct. A hand reaching up to grab hold of the offender tangling in her black hair.

Varian tried to call out a warning, but it was to late. Fox's hand clasp around the razor's edge. The pain flared, and she made more of a fool of herself. A sharp cry before ripping her hand away. The effort only serving to slice a nasty gash across her palm. Fox's eyes pinned shut and she cursed loudly. Forcing her eyes open to look down at the damage. The blood pooling in her clinched fist.

Varian tried to come to terms with what he was witnessing. Surely no one could possibly be this inept and clumsy? He watched her squeeze her eyes shut again and bit hard on her lip. A clear effort to keep her colorful language at bay. A deep sigh escaped him. He moved close and grabbed her hand in his.

Fox tried to pull it away. "It's fine. A small scratch, your Highness." She gave him almost a pleading look.

"A scratch that is soaking the sand with your blood." Varian looked over the deep cut ignoring her hiss of pain. "Don't be stubborn. Let me have a better look at it." There was a small struggle despite his command as Varian forced her fingers back. The gash was not deep, but it was long multiple tears with tattered edges. "It should be fine for now, but you are going to need to bandage it."

Fox went ridged. The blood draining from her face as she looked up at his cool blue eyes.

Varian felt his jaw drop. Was it possible? He could have slapped himself. Of course it was possible. This was Fox. Knowing the answer before he asked, "Do you know how to bandage this?"

"Rogues typically work alone. There isn't really time to bandage oneself in open combat." It was a feeble excuse, almost as lacking as skill she had never trained.

Varian dropped her hand. "By the Light, Fox!" He moved to his Gryphon and pulled out the heavy windwool bandages. "When we get back, remind me to summon Shaw. I need to have a serious conversation with him about the preparedness of his SI-7 Agents."

Fox groaned and looked to the sky. She was in so much trouble now. This would not just upset Mathias Shaw, but every single agent in the SI-7.