Chapter 7: Of Traitors and Kinslayers

7 Wintermarch 617

The capital of Kul Tiras was situated on a flat peninsula close to the middle of the Great Wall. All of the buildings in the metropolis were constructed by bonewhite stone with dark green brick rooftops.

The city was protected by two layers of wall, one for the city itself and another that protected the harbour. Twenty-four ships of the line and seven frigates had been deployed outside the walled harbour of the city. Judging by the secondary colour of the sailor's uniform and the number next to the anchor of Kul Tiras on the sails, the ships belonged to the first, third, and seventh.

The first fleet was under the direct command of the Lord Admiral while, in honour of her brother's death during the Second War, the third fleet belonged to the Lord Captain. On the battlements, a lanky man with a bicorn with black feathers that designated him as the commander of the seventh fleet was barking order left and right. Jaina looked behind her. "Who commands the seventh fleet?"

"I don't recognise him," Daeldric replied. "The previous high captain, Captain Warmond Goodwin, died defending your brother from the assassins. I assume this one is Alverold's supporter."

She was too young to remember him but Captain Goodwin was the leader of the tirassian forces that followed General Turalyon beyond the Dark Portal. It was so sad to hear that he had survived fifteen years in Outland only to die by human assassins. "Good man…"

"Aye".

He went to touch her trembling hand to provide solace but she pushed him away; she was not trembling because of grief anyway. "Don't," Jaina said, her tone was chilly. "I will have no pleasantries with the man that took advantage of me."

She felt Daeldric straighten himself behind her. "As you wish, Lady Proudmoore. Warmond was one of the few men that truly believed that Tandred could restore us to our former glory." He sighed. "At least he died believing that the assassination failed. Others were not as lucky."

"And did you believe in Tandred?"

"Of course," he replied.

It was there for a mere heartbeat but she was certain she sensed hesitation in his voice. It seemed odd to her considering that there was no evidence that this country had been the victim of the Third War.

The fleet appeared completely restored and with the most state of the art ship designs, the city was virtually the same with the exception of her father's glorious statue in the distance, and the army was different.

Apart from the few footmen standing guard, the tirassian army was comprised entirely out of riflemen; if this was an attempt to modernise the army or cost cutting by foregoing full-plate armour, she did not know yet. Unlike the Alliance blunderbusses, the tirassian forces used long, slender rifles. The riflemen were dressed in dark green coats with lapels, collar, cuffs, and shoulder straps in different colours depending on the regiment's fleet. Their helmets were open faced with a metal spike at the crown and a highly decorative front plate.

"You will assist me in stopping war from breaking out."

"Sic semper tyrannis."

Jaina scoffed. The words were arathorian in origin and roughly translating to thus always to tyrants. The motto had been adopted by the knights of the Silver Hand as a reminder of Arthas' betrayal. That a fallen Paladin used these words was, at the very least, ironic. "Varian is not a tyrant."

His voice hardened ruthlessly when he spoke again. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, buttercup."

Jaina turned her head around and narrowed her icy blue eyes on him. As he usually did and much to her annoyance, Daeldric responded with an upward quirk of his lips.

"Oh please," she said, "pray tell, what crime did Varian commit against you other than being twice the man you'll ever be."

Daeldric did not hold the smile on his scarred yet handsome visage. "Tell me, Lady Proudmoore," he started, "how many soldiers did Stormwind send to assist us during the Third War?"

"Morgan Lad—"

"Morgan Ladimore, Frandis Farley, Harthal Truesight, Gavinrad the Dire, and Gryan Stoutmantle. Two volunteers and three knights of the Silver Hand stationed in Lordaeron. Good lads, all of them." He chuckled. "Annoying as you might be, Jaina Proudmoore, it pleases me that you remember their names."

"These people sacrifice their lives for us," she replied to him, reciting her father's words, "it is our duty to ensure that their sacrifice is neither forgotten nor wasted."

To be precise, she only knew their names because all of these man had—in one way or another—assisted her with her expedition to Kalimdor. Champion Gavinrad's contribution had been vital to ensure that the refuges stationed in the northern kingdoms joined her in her expedition while Gryan Stoutmantle had acted as one of her deputies in Mount Hyjal.

He pointed towards the large statue of her father that was built atop the entrance to the Hall of the Grand Champions, the gigantic maze-like crypt under Bolarus. "Land us over there."

Jaina gulped when she actually payed attention to the statue. It depicted her father with one booted foot resting on an orc wielding Doomhammer. Admiral Daelin held a spear with the flag of Kul Tiras on his left hand and his longsword, Tidehunter, pressed on Thrall's throat with his right.

"I'm not sure if you are aware but I used to live here." Ignoring the fact that Ser Alexandros was leading them to the senate, the location was too obvious even without the statue at the middle of the large park. Not only was the senate a large building made out of bright green marble, it also stood next to Pride's Citadel. "As to your answer, you might have a point but your friend, VanCleef, is responsible for keeping Varian busy."

"Ah, yes," Daeldric mocked, "clearly it was VanCleef's fault that Varian was pussyfooting around paying the Stonemasons Guild."

"Why are you even defending him? VanCleef is a thug that did monstrous thug and you are—"

"And I am what?" he snapped. "I may have been excommunicated by the Knights of the Silver Hand. I may have failed to defend my lords, twice. I may be reviled by my people as a traitor and a kingslayer. But I will not allow a kinslayer to question my honour!"

"Daeldric, I—"

"Stop talking, woman. We are done with this conversation."

Jaina clenched her jaw, not understanding why he snapped at her. I was going to say knight…

When the griffon finally landed at the foot of her father's stature, Daeldric jumped off the saddle and started undoing the bindings that held her on the creature.

Jaina eyes widened at his sudden chivalry. "I can do it myself."

Ignoring her, he continued. "Can you? I saw you struggling with the straps when you were trying to tighten them, that means that you don't do this regularly. They are also so uncomfortably tight that I can only assume you are scared."

Had he not softened his normally husky voice, Jaina would have assumed he was mocking her. She blushed. As the daughter of the war hero Daelin Proudmoore, it would have been too unladylike for her to learn anything beyond riding a horse sidesaddle—training that was useless since that was not even an option whilst riding a griffon.

As to her fear, her inexperience in riding a griffon had turned into a mild phobia when a number of harpies had nearly killed her while she was flying to Stonetalon peaks to find Medivh. Even though spells that could slow one's fall were quite simple, the straps of the griffon's saddle gave her a sense of security.

A glint of humour appeared on his face. "Plus, what's the point of being a Princess if you are not going to take advantage of your lesser."

"I do not treat anyone as my lesser."

Daeldric took her hand gently, his touch was cool and smooth, and kissed her knuckles. Warmth fluttered briefly in her heart at his tender move. "Be careful, my Lady, there are those that wish nothing more than to see Daelin's legacy driven to the ground," he told her and gripped hand.

Part of her wanted to smile back at him but she couldn't… Daeldric clearly held little to no respect for her since he considered her a kinslayer—which was certainly not a word that accurately described the events that had unfolded. Yet every time their eyes met, she could not help but notice that little glint of loyalty that made her heart blossom with something… whatever that was.

Ser Alexandros Wyrmbane walked next to them. Jaina turned towards him and smiled, grateful for the interruption. If Ser Alexandros was annoyed or surprised by her intimacy with Daeldric, he did not show it. After handcuffing Daeldric, he extended a hand. "Shall we, my Lady?"

Jaina took his hand instantly and started walking towards the senate.

A footman with his visor raised run towards them. "Milady," he said with a curt bow and turned towards the dragoon, "Ser Alexandros, the trial will be help in the Admiralty's chamber in Pride's Citadel."

Jaina gulped. She had been prepared to face the entirety of the senate but a trial behind the closed doors of the Admiralty's chamber was something that had never been done before and that scared her greatly.

Normally, the Admiralty Council was comprised of the seven high captains (including the Lord Admiral and Lady Captain), the two marcher lords, the commandant of Crestfall, and the Captain-General.

Only five of them were present. A trial behind closed doors and with the majority of the council missing? That could only mean that Alverold wished to cover up something. You are just being paranoid, Jaina chided herself, they are just tending to their fleets.

The stout man with the cane resting next to his chair stood up and saluted. This was Marquess Tiras, her father's closest friend and one of the greatest Paladins of Kul Tiras. "Lady Proudmoore," he said.

Jaina nodded towards his direction and all the other good people in this room. Once her eyes reached Marchioness Eloise d'Artese, her eyes lingered there, hoping for a smile or some kind of reaction from her childhood friend. They had been so close—too close—but a silly misunderstanding had turned Eloise into the spiteful woman she was today. Other than a curt nod, the petite woman's expression betrayed nothing.

It was only when her uncle stood up and pulled her in a tight embrace that she visibly relaxed. It felt good to be in the arms of family—any family—after nearly five years of complete isolation. "Welcome home, my little girl."

"It's good to be back uncle."

"What is he doing here?" said a brutish voice that momentarily reminded her of Varian.

Judging by his relatively young age and his brooding features, that was Reginald Goodwin. As the son of Warmond Goodwin, Reginald had been rewarded the semi-autonomous duchy of Tol Barad for his father's service during the Second War and, for a long period, had been Jaina's betrothed. The lanky man was also wearing the orange sash of the captain-general.

Jaina found that odd. Her father had taught her and Tandred to avoid consolidating power in the hands of a single noble. Jaina herself had come to the same conclusion within the first few weeks of establishing Theramore; with the Third War over, some of her people had immediately started vying for more and more power. The fact that Alverold had proclaimed Captain-General a powerful duke could only mean one of two things; Alverold had few allies he could trust or Reginald was blackmailing him.

"I summoned him here," Catherine Rogers replied. She was fiddling with the chain of a silver amulet. "I have reason to believe that his life is in danger and he has vital information with regards to Calia Hastings."

"We will call him when we need him," Alverold replied and turned towards one of the admiralguards. "Escort the murderer to the dungeons and fetch Calia Hastings."

One of them grabbed Daeldric from his elbow and started dragging him outside. "Ser Llewellyn," Daeldric said with an earnest smile on his face, "good to see you friend."

Like all members of the admiralsguard, the Paladin had his face hidden by a masked greathelms and had no discernible difference in stature and posture from his fellow brothers. How Daeldric recognised them was a complete mystery to her.

"Halt," Rogers ordered, "I have reason to believe that Lord Daeldric is innocent."

Surprised, Jaina snapped her head towards the Lady Captain. She had mixed feelings about this… on the one hand, she was extremely happy that her suspicions about Daeldric's innocence were not unfounded; on the other hand, she was fearful that Calia having information about Tandred's death could only mean that Varian was in the know or complicit to the assassination. She murmured a silent prayer, hoping that Varian had no part in this.

Jaina winced when she saw Daeldric glaring daggers at her. She tried to smile at him to let him know that her distress was at the implications of his innocence not his innocence by itself but he did not get it. He looked away.

Alverold returned to his seat hastily, his hand trembling with anger or perhaps even fear. "We have gone through the documents countless of times, Catherine," he said, he tried his best to sound comforting but he failed epically at it. "I know he is your friend but—"

Rogers slammed her hand on the table. When she withdrew it, she revealed a silver pendant with a weird masonic sign cut in half with a large "C".

"Dastard!" Daeldric pushed Ser Llewellyn off him and charged at Alverold. A heartbeat later, one of guards placed her behind the safety of his shield. Another slammed his shield on Daeldric's head, sending the former tirassian Lord Captain to the ground.

"Kinslayer!" Daeldric snapped at Alverold. "You fucking killed him you traitorous shit!"

"OUT! TAKE HIM OUT!"

This time Daeldric struggled with the guards, trying to stop them from dragging him out of the chamber. Whoreson, kinslayer, murderer, traitor, he just kept shouting that and every offense imaginable to man until he was dropped unconscious by a hammer made out of pure light.

Alverold shook his head when Daeldric's unconscious body was taken away. "I apologise for that," he told her and motioned for her to take a seat.

It was only when she sat at the war table that Jaina realised exactly what Daeldric had said. Kinslayer.

"What?" Alverold asked her.

Jaina winced, her habit of muttering her thoughts when highly distressed coming back. "Kinslayer… D-Daeldric said kinslayer."

Alverold chuckled. "Come now, Jaina. He is just a madman trying to get a rise out of you."

"He called you a kinslayer, uncle."

The Lord Admiral gave an anxious cough. "You are imagining things."

"We all heard the same thing, Alverold" said Tiras. "What is this pendant, Captain Rogers?"

"The moment I returned from Theramore, a member of the Defias Brotherhood approached me. I was told that Alverold revealed the location of the Defias HQ to Stormwind and that Edwin was dead. I was also given this pendant."

Learning that Edwin VanCleef was dead would have normally brought a smile to her face but the news was tainted. Jaina had initially assumed that Daeldric and VanCleef were merely cooperating to further their personal ambition but now it was obvious that Kul Tiras as a whole was allied to the Defias Brotherhood. Tandred… how could you, she thought. What could drive a good, honourable man to form an alliance with an assassin?

She pushed the useless thought aside. On the plus side, Daeldric's innocence was completely disconnected from Calia and Varian.

Jaina turned towards her uncle. "And why would that make you a traitor?"

Alverold's face went pale. "Niece… don't."

"Kul Tiras does not have a dedicated spy network. After King Varian was kidnapped three years ago, we recruited the Defias Brotherhood to act us our spies in the kingdom of Stormwind," Rogers continued. "As you understand, we knew the location of their headquarters which is why Daeldric accused your uncle of treason."

"Of course, we did it," Alverold snapped, annoyed at his deputy's direct challenge.

Varian would have brought Catherine Rogers to her knees, begging for her life but things worked differently in Kul Tiras, especially when the challenge was delivered in private. The Lord Admiral was certainly a monarch but his power derived from the admiralty, the senate, and the people of Kul Tiras; he ruled by merit not by the divine right of kings. It was truly a testament of her family's abilities that they managed to be remain in power for over a thousand years and now her family's legacy lingered on Alverold's hands.

Regardless, Rogers had explained the treason. The accusation of kinslaying was still unanswered.

"Come now Jaina, VanCleef murdered Tand—"

"Uncle," Jaina interrupted, a tremble evident in her voice, "stop lying to me."

"After everything you have done, how dare you accuse me!" he snapped. "No man is more accursed than the kinslayer."

Without even flinching, Jaina smiled; dealing with bullies was her speciality. "Tell me about the pendant."

"That amulet—"

"Recess, my Lord!" Reginald called out.

"Be silent! I will not stand idle while my niece accuses me of kinslaying!" Alverold closed his blue eyes and took a deep breath. "That amulet is part of a two-piece set. This one belonged to VanCleef, the other belonged to the little girl that everyone thought was Tandred's bastard..."

Reginald stood up and paced around the room nervously at the revelation.

Eloise blinked. "Vanessa?"

Alverold nodded. Ser Arator had used that name to describe Emma's playmate. "She was VanCleef's daughter."

The Marchioness frowned. "And she died along with Tandred and his family."

Jaina gulped. Not only did her uncle know about Daeldric's innocence and did nothing, he had also—intentionally or not—covered up the crime. You were wrong father… she admitted, your brother is not just a coward that disgraced us during the First War, he is a monster. She went to stand up to complain about his loyalty when a rough but gentle hand held her down.

"I've been friends with your father for my entire life, half my life with Tandred and Daeldric. It is best if I do this." When Jaina nodded, he continued, "I do not know if Daeldric's accusation stands but it is clear that you, my Lord, knew that VanCleef could not have been the murderer."

"The letters aren't fake!"

"But they do not prove that Daeldric murdered anyone," Jaina replied. "They never once mention Calia or Emma."

Tiras snapped his head towards her. "Are you certain?"

Eloise chuckled. "Not all of us are idiots that miss the obvious."

"I suppose that explain why your useless brother is the High Captain of the 2nd Fleet."

The man in question, Aldrich d'Artese, was sitting right next to his sister and was about to draw his blade until his sister held him down. "Not now," she said and turned her unnaturally pale face towards her rival. "Funny… as I recall, your son was also given command of the 4th fleet."

Tiras snarled at her. "My son graduated from the Naval Academy of War."

"And at the age of thirty-two became a High Captain… an almost impossible task unless someone makes deals with the Lord Admiral."

"Daeldric was elected Lord Captain at twenty-four, Rogers are twenty-seven. That sissy is twenty-two."

The scrawny man certainly did not deserve to be described that that word but as she saw Aldrich's smooth, pale face that had been untouched by both sun and wind, Jaina could not doubt that he had been given his station based on merit.

She sighed. Rogers and Tiras openly challenging her uncle, Daeldric's unfair conviction, Reginald with significant power in his hands, and an undeserving High Captain was all too much for her. Alverold needed to go before he could ruin this proud country.

But how?

Aldrich was ready to snap while his sister laughed. "Of course they were elected; nobody sucks cock better than Daeldric and Rogers betrayed her friend for—"

A gun cocked from Rogers' side. "Careful, Marchioness. I betrayed my friend… you cannot possibly imagine what I will do to a little girl that thinks she can insult me."

Tiras laughed. "She'd probably enjoy that, Catherine."

Rogers raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Perhaps death by choking on Daeldric's cock might be more fitting."

Something twisted in Jaina as she observed her queer friend being mocked for her preferences. To make things worse, her uncle's paleness had vanished and was replaced by a satisfied smile. All Alverold needed was to keep them fighting.

"How dare—"

"Enough! All of you!" Once all heads had turned towards her, Jaina continued, "Daeldric is innocent. You will release him immediately and give him back his titles."

Alverold narrowed his eyes on her. "How dare you?"

"Tandred and I always hated father for keeping you away from us but I can see it clearly now… you are just a duplicitous bastard that has no sense of honour and justice." She bit her lip. "Yes, I stood idle while my father was butchered but I did it to protect my people from certain defeat. What is your excuse uncle other than your ambition?"

"Peace, Jaina." Alverold raised his hand up in defeat. "There were rumours that Daeldric was preparing a revolution if he lost the Lord Admiral's election. I could not allow that. I still cannot allow it."

Jaina turned to Rogers. "Is this true?"

The slightly older woman nodded. "Daeldric would be a fantastic Lord Admiral but I could not risk a civil war."

Jaina sighed. This news limited her options significantly. If Daeldric could start a civil war before, being proclaimed innocent would significantly increase his support. If Stormwind assisted in putting down the rebellion, it would only serve to increase the separatist sentiments that Tandred must have cultivated for years. This was something they could not afford, especially after Tirion Fordring had send a missive asking for the Alliance's assistance in dealing with the Lich King. "Even so, he is innocent… I gave him my word that—"

"Will exile satisfy you?"

I will find a way to save you, she had promised to Daeldric but her promise was not exile. "Kul Tiras is his home. I will not sentence him to such a life."

"Then there is nothing I can do."

"Pardon him."

"No."

Jaina frowned. "Yes, uncle. You will pardon him," she replied, an edge evident on her voice. "VanCleef will remain the murderer but… Daeldric's involvement will be blamed on incompetence rather than malice; he won't be able to garner any support. Or else I will go to the senate and prove that he is innocent."

"You cannot prove anything," Alverold looked around the room. "None of you can."

Tiras chuckled. "Keep talking Alverold."

Reginald smiled. "I'd also like to remind you, little foolish girl, that failure to prove his Grace's guilt gives him permission to execute you and your primary supporters."

Jaina rolled her eyes. If they could touch her, they would have killed her years ago. She was the little girl that had been named but the threat was not aimed towards her.

"Are you threatening us?" Tiras snapped.

"But there is no need for that," Alverold replied. Her uncle closed his blue eyes and placed a palm on his hand. "You were right Reginald… sending him to Theramore was a mistake," he whispered. "I will pardon him, now get out."

"One moment," Eloise interrupted. "Why should I be part of this?"

"I suppose asking for your silence for the sake of our friendship will not work?" Jaina asked.

"No. How about you marry my brother instead?"

"How about I prove that Daeldric is innocent and support him as Lord Admiral?"

That, she did not like. "Fine."

Jaina turned to Lord Tiras and smiled. "I have nothing to offer to you but—"

"Your suggestion will only make you part of the cover-up... I cannot allow that." Tiras stood up promptly and started limping towards the door. "I will be informing the Senate of everything—"

Tiras gasped when Reginald pressed his knife on the Paladin's throat. "You will do no such thing, old man," the Captain-General warned.

The admiralsguard did not move an inch. They were sworn to protect the Lord Admiral and the Lady Captain, not a member of the admiralty.

"Go ahead," Tiras said. "My death will only strengthen Lady Jaina's case."

Jaina stood up swiftly, trying to find a way to defuse the situation without casting a spell. "What would my father want, my Lord? Possibly finding Tandred's murderer or freeing Daeldric?"

"Fine." When Reginald released him, Tiras turned towards her. "He would have wanted you to be the Queen Admiral of Kul Tiras." Then, he limped out of the room.

Alverold grabbed VanCleef's talisman and stood up. "I will deal with Varian and then I will pardon Daeldric. But I warn you… you will keep Daeldric under close guard and should he or you challenge my rule, I will destroy both of you."

Jaina smiled. With Daeldric free, it was time to learn everything about this decadent island. We will see about that uncle.

A/N: I apologise for the long delay with this chapter but I have significantly less time to write stories now. I had initially planned to have Daeldric remain in prison for a longer time but I think that would not work. By the Light is multi-person dialogue hard.