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Chapter 43: Closing Ceremonies

Me on the scrying orb with Alessandre trying to explain all this, and certainly with Blood Elf magisters secretly spying on the frequency somewhere along the ley line, it was a horror show.

"So have we nailed his royal balls to the wall?"

"Not exactly, Big Al."

"…"

Shit. I'd used a pet name.

"You're buttering me up. What went wrong?"

"He…"

"Don't shit me with your 'I wanna know who really did it' this time, okay? You have to have the real intel by now, Turaho. I heard that three Horde cities want to string you up if you don't provide results. And it needs to make sense this time. I have my version of it, but I would prefer to have your half before I inform the high priestess to make her big political move against Silvermoon and possibly the Horde. So?"

"The thing is, Kael'thas is innocent."

Alessandre cussed a storm for a solid minute. And he accused me of being a filthy Horde sympathizer, everything.

"We fucking had him! What did you do?"

"It's what Kael'thas did not do, which concerns me. And it's the same reason why I couldn't interview the perpetrator, a certain succubus named Mavia the Maneater. I couldn't find her out in the world because she's already been arrested. She was under arrest this entire time."

"House arrest, I bet."

"At first, yes. But then they read Mavia her actual rights and put her down in a prison cell shortly after I arrived. That is, after I demanded they search the cells. I had that done the same night I first set hoof in Silvermoon. The clever bastards then realized how thorough I was going to be, so they legitimately arrested her, and put in the one place I wouldn't search. I'd already searched there, you see. And they put something—anything on the books regarding her record, I guess—"

"Ah, but there's the catch. That's our loophole that they were trying to conceal things."

"No, the arrest record I just read over a few hours ago is indeed official, and it even details the offense. This was just a sealed record until now, a state secret. And on top of that, I've seen her personally. Horns, hooves, tail and all. Mavia is below the jail, in their most secure magical, enchanted cage… thing. She's properly in custody, at least for a while. Well, she is also the wife of somebody important so I bet it won't stick. However, they did cover their bases."

"Married to a succubus. What a catch."

"That's weirdo Horde politics for you. The king is a known, practicing warlock you know. He has his own succubus pet. And a wife who counts as Undead… they already have a full house of weirdos in Kael's inner circle. There won't be any real judgement in the papers."

"Feh."

"They did all that to cover themselves, but it's also in line with Horde law, so."

"So?"

"So. Kael'thas eluded us. And I mean, he actually eluded us, he hasn't done anything, in the end, except give me a hard time."

I knew this was coming. I had been mentally preparing myself for this other shoe to drop. A lead shoe.

"But what about the woman you loved? You're going to let Kael'thas get away with all that as well?"

It took strength to get a solid tone of voice, "Meydiri brought cultists to Horde lands. She initiated a ceremony that would have endangered Horde citizens…"

"Turaho. Don't do this. Don't become one of Kael's lapdogs, you're better than this!"

"Meydiri sealed her own fate when she decided to join that cult. And when she tried to kill me. I killed her in self-defense. I have to live with that."

"Kael'thas forced you to do that. He set you up! He could have informed you in any other way, before things got as bad as they did in the Ghostlands. He had more intel than you in that scenario!"

"Al. I think you are describing vengeance, not justice."

Alessandre was right, up to a point. It was a gray area that I would have to deal with for the rest of my life. Could we have saved Meydiri? Had Kael'thas known about the issue far enough ahead, that we might have captured her at the holiday party, for instance, simply arrested her before she joined the cultists in their ritual to summon Greatfather Winter through the ley lines of Quel'thalas? And if he had done everything sooner, would it have been enough to stop the threat in his own territory? Or, would Meydiri have got away to continue ruining lives, based on some technicality, that she was simply hanging out at a holiday party, or on a walk in the woods, doing nothing wrong with forty-nine of her friends in purple hoods?

And there were a bunch of enemy Night Elves in the woods, for crap's sake. Kael'thas had to handle things surgically. He was being careful, handling crime in his own lands, in his own way. I hated him as a man, but I'd had enough time to mull things over and realize it made good sense for a leader. They could have been more careful with the immortal life of Greatfather Winter, but when I found him, he was perfectly safe and fine. Just annoyed and tired of waiting.

But that was my burden, my conscience. My Horde. It had nothing to do with Alessandre. I told him that, too.

"You're a fool, Turaho. The Alliance doesn't have such shady leaders."

"Excuse me? There are plenty of powerful jerks in the Alliance. I'm talking to one."

Alessandre paused. I couldn't see his face. Wherever he was had to be a covert spot. Maybe he'd also thrown a cloth or spell over the scrying orb. I thought I heard people talking in the background, but I wasn't totally sure. It might have been the sounds of the forest, of Ashenvale.

"Do you know, we nearly arrested Illidan Stormrage the other day? He was about to go for a merry stroll through Mulgore. I can't believe the cheek of the Betrayer. We almost thought it was connected to the case in some way. But he's mad as a hatter, he was after some Mulgore spice tea with lavender, according to him. For the holiday! He was in this weird, cheerful mood. Said he had a fine chat with Greatfather Winter who blessed him especially—that megalomaniac-so he should be entitled to enjoy the season. None of us even knew Illidan was back, in the area. That ring any bells for you?"

I only cackled.

"What's so funny? And I hope you don't mind, we do have some reconnaissance in the area, since Kael'thas attacked me there. And Kaelthas was stealthing about at the time, nearly invisible. We didn't know if he'd return to the scene of the crime."

"Mind? Me? Not at all. Very neighborly of you. Though you can certainly recall those stealthed druid agents now."

"Only happy to."

I had a feeling that was a blatant lie, but oh well. He is a Night Elf. I am a Tauren. He's Alliance, I'm Horde. Our partnership was coming to a close. It did make me a little sad.

"Oh, one more thing. We need to settle the matter of A'dal. I think I know how to handle it in a way that will please your high priestess and piss off Saturna to no end. Someone has to rub her nose in it. I mean, we can't let her and Kael'thas get clean away with everything. Nobody's gonna let me sue Kael'thas for every little occupational hazard they put me through."

"Didn't they break your legs at some point? When you were trapped at the Sunthraze house?"

"Yeah. I have an idea on how to get them back for that as well. But you'll have to read about it in the papers, maybe. Anyway, you on for one last team up? It's going to be grand, Alessandre. I promise you. A great, big, steaming helping of crow for our favorite Sunstriders, and their royal servants. That Faltheriel Darkweaver, his ex-Legion chief advisor, the one who kept Greatfather Winter locked up in his house? He's almost impossible to get to under Kael's regime, but this thing I have in mind should slot right in."

"Trust me, you're better off not getting Faltheriel's attention."

"Oh? Why is that?" Don't ask me why, but I had a sense there was something weirdly uncomfortable, possibly even romantic connected with Al and Faltheriel. That's the level of anxiety I could always sense in Al's voice when it came to him. Like he was a bad ex. I don't think he asked Faltheriel for any romantic attention, either. I'd get the full embarrassing story out of Al someday.

This time, Al skillfully avoided the subject, "A set up? That all sounds very nice, indeed. Tell me more."

I told him all. I couldn't wait to see suffering on their snobby little Blood Elf faces.

Al wore his best ceremonial leathers. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised at the stab of jealousy. Night Elf high ceremony armor tends to leave them kind of nude, showing off the athletic bodies that nature and Elune has blessed them with. It's more intimidating than military medals, that's for sure. I can't lie, Al looked great. And I was happy to see his wife with him. Not like that, she was in her priestess robes, looking as stately and fierce as all the priestesses in attendance. However, she was standing very close to Al and looking as pleased as she could get away with, in the Sunspire throne room, that her husband was still alive and was going to have a victorious end to his mission, no less.

Never say I don't watch out for my friends.

The Goblins were there too. I told Saturna and Kael'thas that they still owed me and to let my short green friends off the hook. Weren't they serving the Horde after all, trying to retrieve the fragment of A'dal? So the Blood Elves un-impounded The Fitz's submarine, and Bonnie and Fitz, and the girls, and all their crew. They were in their best-dress too, and I couldn't help smiling at the tiny mariner uniforms Bonnie had scrounged up from somewhere, complete with fancy, polished goggles on every tiny head. Very impressive.

I had on my tribal gear. Enough time elapsed between me writing the official letter ahead of Kael'thas' letter of apology to the Night Elf people for me to have it sent. And that's the legal name of the document by the way. I needed to write the Night Elves first, to formally introduce the concept. Tyrande then needed to read Kael's letter as well, how he put it in his own words. All of this was already hand-waved after Alessandre explained things to his leaders and Tyrande and Malfurion apparently laughed so hard they cried and fell on the floor before agreeing to the whole thing.

Hey, I know this happened. I have a man on the inside.

I had a feeling that Illidan was there in the Sunspire that day as well. He wouldn't have missed this. I wasn't sure where Illidan was, but I had a strong feeling. I'd been around him enough. Maybe I even imagined we had a special bond by now, or I had his scent. And I could guess how he must have seen it. What was Kael'thas going to do, throw him out of the castle? Cause a scene? Same went for Malfurion and Tyrande. If there was an after party, Illidan would be sure to crash that, too.

The Night Elves were on one side of the throne room. Kael'thas and Saturna entered at last, looking regal, her hand resting just over his, like they were about to do this great big opening dance at a fancy ball. Except they weren't. They were about to make asses of themselves. I had made that clear.

It was the best way to appease the Night Elves and end this cold war that started because somebody's pet succubus-slash-wife freaked out about something she'd done ages ago. And Kael'thas, who I figure was likewise traumatized by the Legion, also low-key freaked out and decided to cover for said succubus. But just because Mavia the Maneater was embarrassed, didn't mean A'dal—and by extension, their world tree—had to suffer and die over it. None of that. So, a handover was in order. And I insisted we do it in style.

Saturna decided to be very dramatic, or nostalgic, I couldn't tell—and wear the tiara one last time. I think this angered Tyrande, that she wore that piece of A'dal on her little blonde Undead head. Actually, I believe I liked Saturna for that. For having a say in it, when it came to things. She did look good in it, and no one could deny that. A long time ago, she even had jewelry commissioned to match the royal tiara, and in a world where Blood Elves had once been happy to siphon Light magic from a living Naaru, it wasn't too far a leap for the common citizenry assembled now to believe that they still had a crown on the premises made of the same. I wasn't sure if Kael'thas was alright with people knowing the exact truth, or if rumors had just leaked about what this really was. I didn't really care. I would let him handle his own.

My duty was to the greater Horde.

Malfurion was with Tyrande. They both looked stunning, I'll admit. But Malfurion also had this edgy, sort of bristled attitude, like his brother's secretive presence was making him short-tempered. No one could see Illidan, but I was certain of my gut feeling, that he was around, even closeby, when I noticed all that. Tyrande, other than seething over Saturna wearing a piece of a diseased Naaru on her head, seemed unbothered by Illidan specifically.

There was some kind of musical selection—I let the Blood Elves have that. After, some minor ministers made speeches. Chief Advisor Faltheriel Darkweaver was supposed to do an apology too, but his speech didn't come off like that at all. He mainly just thanked Tyrande and Malfurion 'for their patience.'

What the hell did that mean? That was almost rude. 'How dare you hurry us up, we were busy with Greatfather Winter and the Naaru's leg, guess we're done now though.' I watched that spooky guy in his three-piece-suit and his super-dark ceremonial eyeliner bow really low, at the waist, then back away from the gilded podium. At least he didn't turn his back to them. If I was Faltheriel, I wouldn't either. Some of Kaldorei were armed with bows and arrows.

Now, it was Kael'thas' turn to speak. He drifted to the podium in his red robes, and gripped the edge meaningfully.

I raised my brows. Illidan was affecting Kael'thas too, surely. But in a different way. Their soul link would have been strong, as well as the demon magic coursing through it. Kael'thas looked like he was ready to laugh spitefully at certain points during his speech, full of bravado. Kinda high. Maybe he was actually high on something else to help him get through the day. Who knows?

"It has been too long since our disparate kingdoms, cousins, yet estranged, have been united in any endeavor. This is a great show of peace, not only between the Kaldorei and the Sin'dorei, but also between the Alliance and the Horde."

No one clapped. I guess it wasn't that kind of speech. Kael'thas wasn't bad at it, either. He had a pleasant, convincing speaking voice when he wasn't low-key angry. He sounded mostly honorable, looked it.

"What Tyrande Whisperwind and Malfurion Stormrage have done for the Alliance, and for Azeroth, is beyond measure. Long, long ago, they made the decision to spare the ancestors of my people, and allow them to travel across the sea to practice our magic away from the Kaldorei, find this wondrous and sparkling homeland. In a way, the very ground we stand on is because of their grace, which they say is Elune's grace and I cannot disagree. The moon has always been silver, and full with magic. Hers, ours. What she has bestowed upon us all. Whatever we believe here, today, in Silvermoon City, mercy is the thing," He raised a congenial fist with thumb ontop, classic politician-style. And he kept doing that for emphasis. I wanted to gag, "Mercy that was shared between our two peoples. Mercy that was shown to all the children of Elune and Azeroth in every war we survived. Mercy to those who have failed, and yet continue to get up. Mercy for… those like myself. Who faced down the Legion while standing in the very jagged maw of it." Kael'thas bowed his head, "And somehow emerged alive. Grateful. Determined never to let anyone venture so close to hopelessness and obliteration, not ever again. Never.

"Mercy. That is what I believe will keep the Horde and the Alliance bound together for an age to come. Mercy for our faults. Compassion for what we once were, and hope for what we might become."

Here, he reached his hand back, and Saturna took it and joined him. I think they looked a little frightened, standing there together. I hoped they hadn't swapped the tiara at the last moment. The Night Elves would be expecting something like that.

Al gave them a hard look from where he was standing, I noticed. Saturna gave in and hugged Kael'thas. Then, she extended a welcoming arm to Tyrande and Malfurion, who walked up onto the decorated red-and-gold dais to join them.

Al went with, playing the role of royal escort and security. Opal came with him, looking like a sort of delicate handmaiden to Tyrande. But she also would have had her specific instructions from her husband the spymaster. Sentinels ringed the stage as well. Al gave Opal a look. She was the one to reach out and carefully unpin the tiara from Saturna's hair, then lift it, while everyone held their breaths for it to glow and blind the whole palace or blow up in Tyrande's face, something like that. But Opal placed it neatly in the waiting hands of her high priestess. No incident.

Saturna checked at that, like she expected them to place the thing on Tyrande's head. Like she was the new Miss Azeroth, in a beauty contest? Interesting. Saturna did fully understand it wasn't an actual piece of jewelry right? It was like. A'dal's foot or something. Right there. It was kind of creepy.

Tyrande held the tiara like the sacred object it was, like a relic. Then, she turned to the Night Elves assembled. She was meant to make a thank you speech in the program and there were several more musical selections listed and a couple more presentations. But instead, Tyrande held the crown aloft, high above everyone's heads. Light shone upon it, and it was dazzling and beautiful. Alive, again. It could have been Elune's own light, and perhaps it was.

Then, with Malfurion holding Tyrande's elbow, she carefully walked down the red carpeted stairs, down the long aisles of people present, directly out of the Sunspire, and left. In silence, without a word to anyone there. The other Night Elves had no other choice but to follow, leaving Kael'thas and Saturna and their attempt to make it seem like a grand occasion, just cold and standing on their feet.

"That's a serve!" I looked down. Bonnie was there by my leg, with the Fitz. People were already dispersing and lounging about the throne room.

Saturna stood up there, staring. Kael'thas leaned casually on the podium, a kind of 'Well fuck you too, Tyrande,' energy. I think there was another speech of his left as well. I tried to read through my crinkly program for the event fast enough.

Instead, Kael'thas raised his red-gloved hand with a question or complaint, unspoken. Then, he dropped it. Gave up. Walked his queen back down the aisle as well. Really, the whole thing was over days ago. But this was the easiest way to have the Blood Elves give up the goods peaceably, by making them look like they were the heroes. At least at first. Apologizing, but still heroes. Somehow. Instead, Tyrande basically snatched what was hers and stormed out of there.

Next, everyone turned their heads as loud, echoing disembodied laughter filled the throne room. Yep. Definitely Illidan.

Bonnie poked my leg. "I said, that's a serve!"

"Oh thank goodness you two are alright!" I got down on a knee and hugged Bonnie. The Fitz smiled proudly. "I didn't know what to think when they found your sub at Sunsail Anchorage."

Fitz grinned. "They treated her like a proper warship! Surrounded by a whole elven fleet, shoutin' for us to disarm the cannons, the whole nine. And there were some damn good explosions before we did! I really got my money's worth tricking out that thing. We really looked that intimidatin' didn't we, Bonnie? Couldn't be prouda!"

I shook my head at Fitz.

He winked at me. "So uh… you got some goodbyes to make? When you're done, we have a way to get ya back to Mulgore in one piece, rather than in several Horde pieces."

"Yeah. There is a lot of explaining I don't want to do outside of my mission report. Though I hope they agree that it ended well." I stood and looked over at Saturna and the others standing at the back, greeting important guests. It was tempting to just sneak off. But, then again, it was hard to leave.

Maybe because I was leaving Meydiri and all the memories of what had come before, while she was alive, here in Quel'thalas. And with these people? Or maybe it was the other thing? That offer Saturna had made me. I would feel as if there was a hole inside of me, a great empty spot, if I didn't say or do something to settle things on this side of the Great Sea.

I tried to get to Saturna without Kael'thas, but that was impossible. They were still holding hands.

"So, did I pass?"

She blinked at me.

"I mean, if that Blood Knight test was real, Saturna, and not just a way to get your husband off the hook? Then I should have passed with flying colors."

Saturna looked down, smiled. "You got to the truth. It was a truth that I sensed, because I believe in him. It's so hard to get others to believe, sometimes."

I nodded, "And I do realize that, if not for your advice, I might have ended up in yet another Horde prison cell, or if freed, condemned the wrong man. I bet you would have 'released the Mavia' to take me down later, though. Since she's the one caged up."

Kael'thas put his arm around Saturna. She sighed relief and accepted the hug.

I lifted my muzzle, hooked a thumb into my belt. "I'll be going to Mulgore now, Saturna. I did say I needed some time to think about your offer. I'd rather do it over there." I looked at Kael'thas. "We have Meydiri with us."

His eyes flashed, in a classic way that one who had faced unkillable demons, Illidan Stormrage, and the like only would. I could tell his imagination, and perhaps his conscience, were racing. Was Meydiri somehow not defeated? Had her soul revived, with her body anchored in the Twisting Nether somewhere? No, you jerk. She wasn't a freak like your best demon buddies. Well, she was a cultist. But, still.

"…We're going to bury her back home." I finished what I was saying. Kael'thas seemed to relax.

Saturna squeezed Kael'thas' hand, "Somehow… we all survived all this. The scandal, the ensuing crisis. And then Tyrande served some serious attitude at us, which I never expected."

"I'm not sure I can live that down." Kael'thas furrowed his brow. "And it happened in my own throne room."

Wow. Something finally got to the bastard. And it was someone out-classing him. I should have realized.

I grunted, "I guess this is the part where I should say thank you. But there's nothing at all to thank you for. You guys ruined my holiday. I mean, you smashed it into pieces."

"You found Greatfather Winter here?" Daphne had wandered up with some of the other Blood Knights. She sounded genuinely hopeful.

"No, remember when he was in Mulgore? Safe and sound before all this started? You took him and made me leave."

She finger-gunned me. "…Right. Well. See ya around. I guess?"

I shook my head at all of them for even still trying to speak to me.

I felt someone touch my arm. Saturna again. In that same earnest way she did when we first met, back in Mulgore.

"We will hold a place for you, whether they like it or not." She looked at Kael'thas, "And whether he likes it or not. Blood Knight business is my own. And we need someone like you. We really do. Look at us? Look at what almost happened. Someone like you could have prevented all of it."

"Covered it up, you mean."

"No, Turaho." Saturna gave me a hard look. "We need someone like you. I take a risk in saying this in front of so many people gathered but," she lowered her voice into a harsh whisper, "Things have got out of control. Completely. My own husband had a coven I never knew about. I would have never even thought to look for it. We need another perspective, from a non-Blood Elf, a more loyal member of the Horde, a counter to the power we wield. And I know I explained the Blood Nexus has always been about that." Then, rather than risk being overheard any further, Saturna pulled on Kael'thas and led him away. "Don't you say anything else to him. You've got us in enough trouble…"

Kael'thas looked at me over his shoulder as they went. Maybe that is what did it for me in the end. It was one of those last-looks, like he never expected to see me again. And that pissed me the hell off.

Maybe I wanted to prove him wrong. Or, maybe it was revenge, not justice. Maybe that thing I told Alessandre was a front, and I'm really you're average Horde bastard.

Yeah, maybe Al was right all along. I weaved around, eyeing figures in the crowd to try and see Kael'thas too, one last time, but he was gone.

Well, I still had a date with Missus Mulgore and I didn't want to put it off any longer. She wanted me back home.