Jaina Proudmore, Mage, and ruler of Theramore, sat brushing her hair, trying not to frown at herself in the mirror, Aegwynn sitting just behind and off to her right, head on her hand. Giving her a bemused, and perhaps exasperated, look "You're doing it again"

"Doing what?" Jaina asked, confused as she made sure her hair was perfect. It was for diplomacy after all, making sure the Alliance and Horde could work together, after the disaster of the first meeting over Varian, and now Artha…the Lich King's attack upon not just Theramore, but much of the civilized world. Aegwynn didn't, quite, roll her eyes, instead playing with her own blonde hair as if for emphasis.

"The hair thing"

"I am doing no such thing" Jaina protested, finishing up, turning and pointing at her mentor and advisor with the hairbrush "I am being prepared"

"Well, I hope he notices all the effort this time" the ancient mage replied, sitting up, then resting back, hands folded together on her lap, tone shifting from amused to more serious. Jaina had no idea what she meant. Go'el was a perfect gentleman of an orc after all, and best efforts had to be made to keep the peace "Nor would we envision joy at meeting our new orcish friend"

"Sir Tav has been most friendly, and informative" Jaina pointed out, as said strange, outside-dimension, non-Horde, orc had been a pleasant distraction for her to talk to. Information, scholarly, and clearly friendly with humans as his two lady companions spoke of. Though they were less knowledgeable than Jaina could have hoped if she was honest "You have quite enamoured of him if I recall"

"Yes, he is, all of such things" Aegwynn raised a finger, motioning at Jaina "And a wielder of the Light, claimed servant of a God-being from beyond the stars, and of all of the un-orc things that has allowed us to engage in pleasant debate. Such as the fact he considers Mage-Lords, and ranks that as not only powerful, yet something worthy of respect. Thrall might find him pleasant…others will not, especially not Hellscream"

"Garrosh Hellscream is not the Horde entire"

Aegwynn shook her head "No, but our strange visitor himself choose to come to Theramore, not to the Horde's territories, and likely for not just his ladies, but because of personality. Do not overthink that because he is an orc, and the Horde has orcs, that matters will end with everyone supping in a friendly manner from feasting cups"

Jaina frowned, giving forth a sigh, somewhat agreeing, but not wishing to either "There is a better chance of listening from a fellow orc…"

"His is possibly worse than a draenei to them Jaina dear, what with the Star God Light powers, and seeming hatred of demons and such curses" Aegwynn murmured, as unhelpful as could be when the Guardian wished to be so "Nor is his presence, enriching in knowledge, and friendly if guarded in tone, he has been….well, it is likely the Dragonflight attacked for very obvious, if likely misguided, reasons"

"You admit they are misguided at least!"

Jaina smiled at that, Aegwynn giving her a half-frown in answer "In attacking without talk? Yes!"

Then shook her head "But, recall what he hath told us, and what he has refused to say. What would you judge him to be, in the class of an adventurer, or warrior? Be truthful now Jaina"

The mage ruler of Theramore let out a sad sigh, placing down the brush "For all his knowledge, and magics…I do believe him a true mage, not in the here and now. Perhaps as a student, and I know not enough of his faith to say…"

"Jaina"

She sighed at the bemused tone placed upon her name "I would rate him a household guardsman, magic, weapons, and such things aside. They speak worryingly of his people's abilities, but he seems an elite warrior in the service of a noble house. This Mage-Lord of a Trade House whose name is ungiven. Secrets that he can keep"

Aegwynn nodded, fingers together "Yes, an unlikely to be a highly ranked retainer if I judge based on such little knowledge. Still an elite amongst guardsmen, but not within the upper ranks of ability or title. Young, ambitious perhaps, but when we consider his abilities. With blade, with magic, with the Light, and with weapons more advanced than that of gnomes….even if ignore that his Mage-Lord saw fit to equip his household guard with means to resist time magic and dragons"

Her friend paused, tilting her head to the side as if thinking, before nodding "Though he is likely right about the dragons. Dreadful perverts the lot of them!"

"Aegwynn!" Jaina rumbled, shaking her head. Her ancient wise guardian advisor did have these moments from time to time after all. But the overall point was a concern on her own mind. Sir Tav, from all they had seen of his skills, and spoken of with him of, indicated a dangerous advanced and powerful nation that had sent him to Azeroth. One that had something akin to a God-being, one of several, working with it. Sir Tav's companions, Jan and May, supported his story for they were clearly from a different civilization entire, based upon their reactions to magic, and lack of knowledge of even some basic concepts "Dragon talk is not for now! Go'el and his delegation with arrive soon, and those same concerns will likely arise. I wish a united front when…knowledge spreads"

"Perhaps it is best he and the ladies leave, after some trade, than risk the Lich King attacking again. For they would be target he would seek" Aegwynn said, then shook her head, blond hair spilling over her shoulders as she stood up, clearly thinking seriously on the matter "Yet…the knowledge of dangers beyond is vital to gain, and cheaply so if the training of our orc knight visitor in the ways of magic and other texts is the price to be paid"

She paced "Finding these locations too, these portal paths, with his aid is also vital"

"Which could be in Horde lands" Jaina pointed out, Aegwynn giving a nod.

"Which could be in those lands, as you say. They could be in lands stalked by the Scourge, and another invasion is not one we can risk"

'No, it is not' Jaina could agree, thought this orc was different from the last. That he was a scout, or herald, of such dangers had been a concern. There was so much she wanted to know, so many stories of these strange lands beyond to hear, but it all came with the need to see to the defence of her people, and Azeroth as a whole "On that I agree, and, yes, the dangers and risks involved are high. But maintaining good faith, and building strong relations with our guests is the means to both gather that information, as well as locate these…weak spots…in the fabric of the world. With the attacks…"

"His powers must be returned to throw so much, and lose so much in the attack, to strike at not just Theramore, but also the Alliance and the Horde" her advisor agreed "We face into dark times once more, and, yes, I do agree that seeking the aid of your…orc friends is not the worst approach. It also, perhaps, offers the possibility of a place for them to live beyond Azeroth"

"You're not going to suggest to them to leave. Please, let us try to focus upon the true foe first. Not after my city has been struck so mercilessly" Jaina pointed out, as that was another reason she was grateful to strangers, as Sir Tav had fought for her city, and prevented many more losses from occurring. That was worth much in the way of recompense and understanding, just as her own warnings prior to the attacks to Go'el and his Horde would hopefully count for something as well. Honour was important, as was compassion, and if they could all just think about the needs of each other, and what strengths they had together…

Aegwynn gave a bemused smile, raising an eyebrow "I would do no such thing, I am just pointing out that if doors are to open, they have other uses than bringing more problems here to Azeroth"

"Hmm" was Jaina's immediate answer as she rose from her own seat, as such traitorous thoughts had entered her mind, alongside more noble ones of trading with nations beyond the stars. That the orcs had invaded did not mean everyone would invade, and simply trying to pretend a danger was not there…did not mean that danger did not exist, nor would come for you in the end. There was a line between doing what was necessary, and doing evil, and she was not Arthas who had thrown it all away, everything, and turned into the monster he was now. So even if he was a danger, and represented one, Jaina had to have hope that aiding Sir Tav in his quest could persuade him to aid her and hers in theirs. Then hummed, waking to the window, enjoying the beautiful sea and sun. Barely believing the horror and darkness of mere days ago.

"We shall defeat the Scourge, end that evil however we must" she voiced looking out at the small city, her city, and something worth protection as she almost sensed her friend's approach, and the dangerous, yet helpful, warrior training with his ladies below "Then we can talk to the others in the Alliance and inform them of our honoured guests, and see what our fellow mages can offer to aid us, and our guests, in such a quest"

Hopefully it would work out. It had to…