The world's got a funny way of turning 'round on you
When a friend tries to stab you right in the face
Losing faith in everything I thought I hoped I knew
Don't sweat it, it was set on false pretense
~False Pretense-The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus~
Cordana found, as her pregnancy progressed, that she needed to spend time by herself, and often headed off to the forest. Khadgar gave her a crystal pendant and placed it around her neck.
"This is similar to the one I gave you on the ship," he said. "It will create a portal right to me, if you find yourself in a compromising position. Do not be bold, Cordana. Your priority now is staying safe."
She smiled. "I will be fine, Khadgar."
The forest was sweet and cool, and she revelled in it. She discovered a small glade where a few ravens roosted, and sat down beneath a tree. As long as Khadgar was in the Tower, she felt alright leaving him alone, and it pleased her to have some time to herself. It was here she thought about their son, and how she would manage to carry out her duties with a newborn. Perhaps it would not be as easy as she had hoped. At first the thought of leaving the baby with Toriona didn't bother her, but now the idea of not having him in her arms made her anxious. She found it incredible how so much could change in such a short time.
She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the forest, feeling the breeze softly blow through her hair and across her skin. The silence was a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the garrison, and the often startling sound effects from the mages training with Khadgar at the Tower. Kaldorei needed to spend time in a natural environment for their mental and spiritual health, and Cordana was no different than any other of her people. She felt herself drifting off.
A twig snapped.
Her eyes shot open and she immediately went into stealth, creeping away into the center of the glade and looking around. She expected at least a deer or other forest creature but aside from the ravens there was nothing she could see.
Her senses were firing, telling her that she was not alone, that someone was there.
"Well. At least your senses are still accurate, Cordana Felsong."
Startled, Cordana spun around in the direction of the voice, but still nothing met her eyes.
"And I had such high hopes for you. The closest of the sisters to matching my skill, and I find out that you have sold out, for a revolting human no less."
Cordana bristled at the deep derision in the voice. "Show yourself. If you desire to insult me, let me at least face my adversary."
The voice laughed. It was a familiar laugh, and Cordana unstealthed.
The owner of the voice did the same. The encounter suit before her was taller, as most of the sisters were, and stood unmoving. Then the figure lifted the helmet from her head. Long silver hair tumbled down, glowing eyes gazed from a sharp, angular face that had no softness to it, but was beautiful in it's icy countenance.
"Maiev," said Cordana softly, taken by surprise. "Your brother mourns you as dead, we all do!"
"My brother is a fool," said Maiev Shadowsong. "And you...little Cordana...a great disappointment to us all."
Cordana narrowed her eyes. "Disappointment? I have not failed my mission. In fact, I have never known failure. Tell me, Warden Shadowsong, what does that feel like?"
The sister Cordana had dearly loved as an elfling, the woman she wished to emulate, whose dogged determination and persistence had been an inspiration to many, had turned on them all by vanishing without a trace a very long time ago. They had had no choice but to mourn her as dead, a fact of which suddenly stung Cordana deeply and she could see it in no other terms than a personal betrayal.
Maiev's expression didn't change, but she stared at Cordana her gaze moving from her head to her feet, and sneered.
"I suppose I could tell you...if you would grace me with the story of how you betrayed us all by taking a human mate and letting it impregnate you!"
"Khadgar is a good man!" exclaimed Cordana, forcing herself to keep her anger at bay.
"He is a disgusting human arcanist," snorted Maiev. "And now you carry a half elven whelp within you. Your "good man" will betray you, Warden Felsong. You and every living thing. He will release onto the world the very things we have guarded for millenia."
Cordana paled. "Why would you say that? Khadgar has dedicated his life to saving all of us, and has done it multiple times! We are on the same side, sister!"
"I thought we were as well, until I came upon that vile display at the World Tree. I cannot call you sister, who has allied with the enemy!"
Cordana felt rage building inside her, but in no way would she dare take on Maiev Shadowsong. Not now, with Khadgar's child growing inside her. Why did Maiev choose to reveal herself now, after so many years? Why to her? She was nothing but a common Warden.
Maiev seemed to read her mind. "I had thought to speak with you, as you are the bodyguard of that dreadful human. I hoped to share with you what I know, but then I saw your betrayal, and now you too are the enemy. To think that I once played with you and taught you lessons, hoping that one day you and I would fight side by side in defense of our people. Now you will die, just like him and everyone else."
"Why are you saying these things Maiev? You sound as one who has been corrupted by the Fel!"
Maiev laughed. A cold, hollow sound devoid of any true joy.
"The only corruption I see is yours. Lying with a human, carrying its half spawn, being seen without your encounter suit. Everything about you disgusts me. I pity you."
She vanished then, and Cordana felt Maiev's energy dissipate. What had Maiev meant? She shuddered to think of anyone releasing any prisoners from the Vault of the Wardens, but Khadgar would certainly never do such a thing. Maiev was obviously insane, driven that way by the millenia of guarding and chasing, and failing. Still, Jarrod deserved to know that his sister was alive, and Khadgar needed to hear what had transpired, even if it were only the ramblings of a broken mind.
"Light," said Khadgar, holding Cordana close. "I will not have you out on your own anymore, not until our son is born. I feel as though nothing I do to protect you is going to be enough, short of keeping you in a pocket dimension."
"I must speak with Jarrod about this Khadgar, he deserves to know that his sister is alive."
Khadgar kissed the top of her head. "We shall go together."
The Warden squeezed her mate, for once not arguing the point. She still felt unnerved by Maiev's words. Why did she think Khadgar could possibly have anything to do with the Vault of the Wardens? He probably didn't even know where it was, nor would he care to know. And even if he did, what would possess him to want to go into it and release anyone?
"Khadgar, do you even know where the Vault of the Wardens is?"
He let her go, and cupped her chin. "Do not let the ravings of a madwoman get under your skin my love."
"Please answer the question," she entreated.
He shook his head. "I never thought about it or needed to know. I have an idea that it is in or around Mt. Hyjal, but truthfully my love, it is not a place I have ever had dealings with. It is the business of your people, not mine."
She sighed with relief. "I wish to forget about her and her insanity. She failed her mission more than once, and I am glad she is no longer a part of the Enclave. I never liked the idea of the younger Wardens looking up to her. She is not a good example to follow."
Khadgar took her hand. "I would like to forget about her, but she is yet another wild card roaming free who is a threat to you. I worry, Cordana, about you and our son."
Her eyes blazed. "Someone would have to be insane to try and harm our child. If Maiev fancies herself deadly and her vengeance swift, she will learn how wrong she is if she were to attack me. I have abilities that she does not know about, and does not have."
Khadgar smiled. Here was his protector, the cunning and powerful Cordana. He felt rather sorry for anyone who would tangle with her at this point.
Cordana however, did not believe her own words. Maiev, as most people suffering from insanity, could muster strength unknown to others. While Cordana believed she could, and most likely would, win against Maiev, it was not a battle she would dare take on while carrying Khadgar's child.
"Just the same my dear," he said softly, touching her belly. "I would rather keep you close by my side. I shall make you a dimension filled with forests so you may take your solitude in safety."
He cast a portal and Cordana could see Darnassus on the other side. "Let us go and see Jarrod."
Jarrod sat, with his head in his hands, trying to digest what Cordana had just told him.
"I had thought our relationship mended before what I believed was her death," he said softly. "And to hear that she still sees me as a fool, and has not come to see me...it is hard to take."
"I am sorry Jarrod," said Cordana. "I believe her to be unstable. Her words were hateful and sounded like lies perpetuated by the Fel. It is possible she has been corrupted."
He nodded sadly. "As much as I would love to see my sister, it would not be a happy meeting. I am not sure what to do with this information. I suppose the others must be warned in case she tries to contact them. Do you feel she may try and reach you again?"
Khadgar's eyes narrowed. "I will not allow her anywhere near Cordana, and I will be at her side at all times."
"No," said Cordana. "She was filled with loathing for me when we parted. If she wished me dead she had the opportunity to attack me in the forest, yet she did nothing more than insult my mate and my choices. I am more concerned with Khadgar's safety than my own. Her hatred for all things arcane has been a part of her for so long, and now that she believes Khadgar is some kind of threat, she may come after him, or try and recruit some of the sisters to join her. Jarrod, it is imperative that we impress upon all of the Wardens how dangerous Maiev has become. I believe it is necessary to assume she has been corrupted by the Fel and bring the warning forth in that way. The younger ones who idolize her could be too easily swayed in her favor. This concerns me."
Jarrod stood and paced about the room. Khadgar led Cordana to a chair and gestured for her to sit. He stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. He had so many wards on Cordana he was surprised that she did not feel them. He had wards on her for attacks that were not even possible in the current dimension.
Cordana lay her hand on her belly and stroked it gently. She had visually noticed the slight swelling finally although her clothing had begun to tighten some time ago. She leaned her head back against Khadgar, grateful for his presence. She might be his protector, but she was not above appreciating him looking out for her as well. Especially now. She felt the protective wards all over her, so many of them she could not even begin to identify each one.
Jarrod stopped his pacing and faced them. "Let us go to the meeting hall and I will assemble the others. Of course, we will have to repeat this twice, as I cannot allow all of the Wardens to leave the Vaults."
Within the meeting hall Jarrod activated a portal and stepped through. The way to the Vaults was not easy, and one would need to know exactly which portals to take. Each one led to a room with successively more to choose from, and Jarrod changed the order frequently. Of course, all of the Wardens knew where the physical location of the Vaults were, but no one ever travelled there in that way, to do so would be to invite spies and assassins. A Warden would give up her life to keep that location secret, and many had.
Khadgar sat close to Cordana, one arm around her shoulder, the other hand interlaced with hers across her belly. They did that often, it gave them the feeling of closeness to their son, especially for Khadgar who did not have the benefit of carrying him!
"How are you feeling this day, Cordana?" he asked softly.
"I am fine. Slightly tired and my muscles are a bit achy."
He smiled and kissed her ear. "To be expected with the changes in your body. Is there anything I can do to help? I could conjure a proper chair for you."
Cordana turned her head and kissed him. "I will be fine, Khadgar. I will let you know if you can do anything."
He was so solicitous and observant. Sometimes it irritated her, but she knew it was out of love for both her and their child.
She leaned on him, relaxing, and they waited patiently for Jarrod to return with the first group of Wardens.
As they had expected, there was some resistance to the information that Maiev was not only alive, but potentially corrupted. The younger, idealistic Wardens were hell bent on saving her, rallying one another until Jarrod put a firm stop to it.
"This is not acceptable!" he said sternly. "You have been warned and given a directive and you will obey it. Anyone found engaging with Warden Shadowsong will be severely punished, do I make myself clear? We are in a time of duress, and must remain united if we are to have any chance of success. The Archmage and your sister Cordana are sacrificing much and we must do our part to help. Our personal feelings about Warden Shadowsong have no place here."
The dissenting chatter stopped once the young ones realized the seriousness of the situation. Cordana watched them all intently, carefully observing which might be tempted to disobey. She relayed her findings to Jarrod once the second group had been briefed.
"I shall put a watch on those sisters you are concerned about," said Jarrod. "I thank you for your loyalty Cordana. You did not have to come to me with this, but you did and that tells me that you place importance on the Enclave and on our relationship. You honor me. Now please, return home. I can see that you are weary and at this time you need your rest. I will see you again soon."
Khadgar took her hand and teleported them away, to a remote area where he could safely cast the portal back to Draenor.
He tucked Cordana into bed and she gratefully curled up and fell asleep right away.