"I suppose this is a bad time to tell you all that I've never sailed in my life?"

Val couldn't help but laugh at Hemming's quip, packing up the last of her things and letting Kay put her necklace, which still held Varian's ring on it, on for her. "You've had seven days to get ready for it Hemming. You'll be fine, it's an exciting experience."

Carson snorted, brushing the dirt from his battered black coat. "She says because she's a pirate's daughter."

Arin's brown furrowed. "Wouldn't the ship that you said Cillian has be yours now?"

Val nodded, wrapping the scarf her Grandmother had sent for her birthday around her throat and patting it down. "It is, but I'll be honest; I never really wanted to explore that life, I had far too much going on in Stormwind."

Carson rolled his eyes. "Please don't spout romantic shit about Varian, not today, I've got a banging headache as it is."

Hemming tied his cloak, putting the hood up then back down to shape it properly. "Are you seeing him today?"

Val nodded, counting how many cigarettes were in the case before snapping it shut and throwing it in her pack."We agreed we'd leave it as late as possible to make it easier on ourselves." She let Carson help her up, scooping her cloak up and putting it on.

"It seems surreal, knowing that we're going back to Elwynn so soon."

Val couldn't help but agree with Kay. She was dreading what they'd find in Elwynn, but at the same time it was an exciting feeling, knowing that she was essentially going home and taking a large part in making it theirs again.

"Don't expect it to be as you remember it."

Val looked up at Carson with more anger than she expected to have. "I wasn't, thank you. I remember how much my city was burning from watching it."

Arin, ever the peacemaker, cleared his throat. "When do the ships leave?"

Val pulled the lip of her boot up a bit more. "About two hours, but we need to ride to Southshore first, so we'll be going soon."

Hemming nudged Val with a smile. "Go and see Varian then, we'll cover for you if you're late."

Val hated how transparent she was. "Thank you. But I shouldn't be, he's on as much of a time limit as I am."

Kay patted her shoulder and she gave Carson her pack, making her way out of their tent and towards the 'royal quarter' as Carson called it.

She found Varian packing his own things, clearly leaving it until last minute again. They hadn't spent last night together since she had a last minute briefing and he had to go to Southshore to oversee the fleet's progress, so to say she was giddy to see him was a little bit of an understatement. "Want a hand?"

He straightened from throwing shirts into a trunk and turned with a strained smile.

"Not necessary, thank you. Just remind me next time to not bring so much useless crap with me."

She lowered the flap to give them an ounce of privacy, sharing his smile. "Varian, clothes are not considered 'useless crap' by normal society."

Almost at once she was gathered into his embrace, trying not to laugh at how tightly he was squeezing her."Varian, I'll be coming back."

She looked up at him with a grin. "In fact, you'll be coming tome."

Her grin faded at how conflicted his eyes looked. "Varian, I'm not going to the capital with you. I made my decision, and you promised to respect it."

He sighed, sweeping her hair back. "I know, but that doesn't mean I agree with it in any way, shape or form. Everything in me is saying to hog tie you onto Argo andmakeyou come with me, where I know you're safe."

Val's narrowed eyes almost drew a chuckle from him. "But I have to honour our agreement and let you make your own choices, I know. Just let me coddle you for a bit longer."

She groaned, putting her forehead on his chest. "Do I really have to? It's like you've taken a master class in it."

He pushed her back by her shoulders, trying in vain to hide his snickers. "Yes, whether you like it or not. Now, have you packed?"

She flung her head back like a petulant child. "Yes Dad, I have."

Varian's grimace was exactly the reaction she'd been hoping for. "What have I said about calling me that?"

Val couldn't help teasing him by moving back forward and playing with the buttons on his doublet. "But I say your name so many times, what else am I supposed to call you?"

Varian's low chuckle did nothing to remind her that they had a time limit. "I was starting to think it would be the only word you knew after last night."

Val couldn't help her blush and Varian's fingertips caressing her hip didn't help. "Yes well, that's your fault, not mine."

His kiss tasted of the coffee he'd obviously just had, and although she hated even the smell of the stuff, she didn't flinch or push him away. "You know I can't resist you in red Val, you knew exactly what you were doing."

Val laughed, pecking the end of his nose. "It was just a dress Varian, you need to learn some self control."

She linked her fingers with his after noticing him grope for her hand. "Are you coming to Southshore?"

He huffed angrily as if she'd just asked if water was wet. "Of course I am, it's my troops that are going, what kind of king would I be if I didn't?"

She pinched his earlobe to cut his rantings off before they even started. "I merely asked a question Varian, don't treat me like I've kicked you in the balls."

Varian's face relaxed and he ran both hands up her arms. "I'm just not looking forward to saying goodbye to you, that's all."

Val looked utterly empathetic. "I know how that feels more than anyone Varian."

The remorse on his face only became more obvious. "And now I know just how bloody horrible it is. I feel awful for putting you through this time and time again back then."

Val shrugged, stepping back so she didn't have to crane her neck up at him. "Don't fret so much about it Varian, I'm not angry at you over it, so don't worry."

He didn't look convinced. "Well, here's hoping this is the last time either of us either of us have to do it."

She was glad that he was at least trying to be optimistic. "Here's hoping the Light's kind."

That made his face harden again. "Bah, the Light can lick my left boot. It clearly shows me no favour, so why should I give it the time of day?"

Val kicked the dirt that was crusting over the toe of her boot. "Everyone has to have hope Varian."

Varian started rolling up the maps and letters he had strewn over his desk. "I have hope in the men and women that are risking their lives to keep us safe. A deity that let those things destroy everything we had doesn't deserve the same respect."

As much as it saddened her, she had to agree. "You won't hear any argument from me, I lost my faith years ago, you know that."

She shuffled her feet again. "Mila wrote again, telling me that her thoughts were with me and maybe when we get to Stormwind we can arrange to meet."

One of the letters in his hands wrinkled as he clenched a fist. "And I hope you told her to go jump from a cliff."

Val put her gloves on, feeling the crisp April air now she was standing still. "Not in so many words, but yes, I finally told her she's not wanted and if she sends me any more letters that you've threatened to intervene."

Varian's eyes glistened with curiosity. "And what did she say to that?"

Val gave him a smirk. "You want the exact wording?"

Varian chuckled, closing one more trunk. "I do indeed, especially if it's as funny as you're alluding it to be."

Val sat down, crossing one leg over the other. "Well, and this is just an excerpt, 'I will not let a boy of twenty two dictate to me whether or not I can see my only daughter, if that long-haired, crooked-nosed whelp has anything to say to me he can do it himself."

Varian had started laughing at the word 'boy', so by the time she finished he was bending over his desk with full on guffaws permeating the air. "What, is she five years old? Those are schoolroom insults!"

He rubbed his nose, suddenly conscious of it. "My nose isn't that crooked anyway, I've seen alot worse."

She manoeuvred around the trunks and satchels, stretching on her toes and digging her fingers in his chocolate tresses. "And I for one absolutely love your hair."

She kissed him, appreciating his arms helping to keep her at his height by tightening around her middle. "It's more for me to grab."

The suggestive tone to her voice only made Varian nip her earlobe as he held her tighter. "Not helping, woman."

He put her down, and she couldn't help but notice that he'd put her on the map table. "Varian, we have about ten minutes before we have to leave, and I know this is normally a compliment, but you cannot finish that quickly even if you tried."

Varian laughed, warming her neck. "That's one hells of a compliment Sweetheart, you're right. And I think you of all people know I can use my time wisely."

He kissed her forehead, rubbing his nose against hers. "Alas, I'm not even going to attempt to make love to you knowing someone could come in at any second."

Val's eyebrow rose, and she couldn't help but poke her finger down the opening in the top of his doublet. "You've never been bothered about people walking in on us before."

Varian's teeth showed with his grin as his head lowered and kissed the small crease of skin peeking from her own shirt. "Oh that doesn't bother me at all, I just don't want anyone but me seeing you. That's my privilege and mine alone."

Val felt like a little game would make their parting easier, so played along. "People see me all the time though."

He squeezed her thigh, laughing despite the amorous mood he was suddenly in. "You know what I mean Val, don't act like you don't."

She twisted his hair around her fingers, kissing the cleft of his chin. "What a shame that you're not going to see it until you come to Stormwind."

His smile wavered somewhat as he hooked her hair behind her ear. "Don't get too cocky Sweetheart, please. I need you to be smart about this."

He curled his fingers around the hand that was on his chest. "I know you want to go home as much as I do, but it doesn't mean you go in there guns blazing. Justswearto me that you'll be careful, and know when to run."

Val gave him the best reasurring smile she could. "Varian, you have my word, but you also have to start trusting me."

He ruffled her hair, making her swat his hands away in mild annoyance. "I do trust you, you little pixie. But I also know what you're like, and that scares me more than the Horde ever will."e

She petulantly folded her arms and swung her legs, still finding it highly amusing how quickly the two of them could cycle through different moods. "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

Varian bent, pointing to the roots of his hair, which were lighter than the rest, telling Val he hadn't evaded the curse all Wrynn men so far had gone through of greying prematurely and was on the cusp of succumbing to it. "See that? That is all because war had nothing to do with it, this is from me worrying about your bloody arse all the time."

Val turned her nose up at him, turning her head to the side and really hamming up the spoilt brat persona she'd adopted in the last twenty seconds. "My arse is perfectly fine thank you! So there's no need to worry!"

And instantly, amorous Varian was back, making her wonder if they both really did have split personalities sometimes."Damn right, but I think you're a little mistaken Sweetheart, since it just happens to bemine."

The way he growled the word 'mine' made Val shiver, gripping the edge of the table harder than she really wanted to. "Teasing cunt."

Varian scoffed, fixing the collar of his coat, fastening the buckles on the wrists, noticing her look. "I take it this isn't helping?"

She narrowed her eyes. "You know what it does to me."

"Well, if you're a good girl and listen to me about being careful, maybe I'll wear it when next we meet."

Val found herself squeezing her thighs together to alleviate even a shred of the building pressure building in the pit of her stomach. " 'Good girl'? Please Varian, I'm always good."

Varian's eyebrow and the corner of his mouth both rose and she cleared her throat. "Alright…almost always."

"Your Majesty?"

Varian beckoned Lee in, noticing the cautious tone to his voice. "You haven't interrupted this time Lad, come in."

Val had to chuckle despite how red it made the squire's cheeks, since a few nights before he had indeed unfortunately interrupted them again, but this time the poor Lordaeron native had walked in on more than a kiss, something which Varian and Val had found absolutely hilarious after the initial shock of the situation.

"It's time to leave for Southshore, Your Majesty, shall I ready Argo?"

Varian nodded, tying his hair back and taking Val's hand as she hopped down from the table. "Yes, make sure he's fed and watered before we go, I hate it when he's in a mood."

Lee turned to Val with a smile. "Will you be riding with King Varian, Milady? I can ready Ebony as well if you so wish?"

Val shook her head, thankful that Varian didn't argue with her as he had the first time she'd said about it. She had made him promise the night he'd given her title to her to let her carry on in the army as they had when she'd first gotten here, and that included not riding together everywhere.

"No, I'll be riding with my regiment, but thank you all the same."

Lee bent his head, clearly respecting her wishes despite his master's unsavoury look. "Very well. Then may I wish you good journey and good luck Milady?"

Val gave him a grin, patting Varian's arm to tell him she was about to leave. "You can, and it will be greatly appreciated. Look after him for me Lee, he won't do it himself."

Varian couldn't keep his grumbles quiet anymore. "I do look after myself woman, stop telling people to baby me."

Val snorted, quickly hugging the squire and pushing the flap up. "Alright, so I when I come home to you with a beard to rival Magni's I can remind you of that can I?"

Varian waved a hand, his brow furrowed. "Off with you, for Lights sake, before I combust. I'll see you in Southshore."

She blew him a kiss, and with that, she was gone.

"She'll be alright Your Majesty."

Varian didn't respond, packing his last trunk.

"Am I right to assume you'll be going straight back to the capital?"

Varian nodded. "Aye, with Prince Arthas."

Lee looked downcast. "Then I suppose I'll be reassigned?"

Varian took a minute, but shook his head. "No. I'll need all the friends I can possibly have, so I'll find some sort of position for you. I already have a chamberlain but I'll need a groom."

He gave the boy a smile to tell him he meant it and couldn't help but chuckle at the elated look on his face. "A groom to the King instead of a squire is the greatest honour I can ask for, Your Majesty."

Varian clapped his shoulder, patting it affectionately. "Good, then you'll start as soon as we leave, come, before we're late."

Val had to laugh to herself, since she had never set foot on a ship that wasn't the Rose before, so to see gleaming varnished wood instead of the old barnacle crusted underbelly she was used to jarred her a little.

She put her bags on the ground and took a long breath, inhaling the salt on the air and feeling alot better about going to sea this time considering the last occasion she was on the water was a result of a great tragedy.

"Do you know how to sail yourself?"

She shook her head at Arin, letting the rest catch up before they actually got on board. "Not as much as you probably think I do. I know the basics, but nothing that would get us out of a crisis."

Carson folded his arms, looks disgruntled as he always did. "Swore I'd never sail again…"

Hemming elbowed his side, looking more than smug. "And yet here we are, so hush your grumbles."

Carson looked down at him with amusement. " 'Hush your grumbles'? That's awfully lower class for your tastes."

Hemming narrowed his eyes. "Considering I wasn't high class in the first place it's not that much of a shock."

His face broke into a grin regardless. "Or maybe it's you lot rubbing off on me."

"Regiment three! Fall in!"

They heard Garside's call and picked up their packs, with Arin leaning in to their group. "There's not that many of us, is there?"

Carson shrugged, clearly having more military experience than the rest of them. "If what King Varian's scouts have told him is true, it shouldn't take that many. Doomhammer's forces are mostly in the north, so only a small handful should be in Stormwind."

They all stood in lines with the rest of their regiment, watching Garside and three other men, one she recognized as their assigned General, a man called Jack Syverson, wait for them all to finish.

"You will all be divided between three ships, to land in Longshore in three days time. Once there, a small garrison will be erected in Moonbrook. You all have two weeks to fortify Westfall, then two months to take back Goldshire, and eventually Stormwind city. If unsuccessful by that point, you will be recalled whether you like it or not. Any questions?"

A chorus of "No sir!" was his answer and Garside looked up and over them, bowing swiftly.

"King Varian, we're glad you could make it."

Varian stood where Garside had just been, putting both hands behind his back and using pretty much the same stance they were.

"I'm sure Captain Garside has already told you the plan for taking back Stormwind, so allow me to finish that thought."

He took a deep breath, straightening his shoulders. "Stormwind will forever be in your debt for merely attempting to reclaim it from the savages occupying its walls. The Horde will know that we will not take such atrocities lying down and will fight to our last breath to claim back what's ours."

He probably didn't mean to focus on Val, yet he did it anyway. "Stay safe, stay true to the Alliance, and trust one another. Light be with you."

Garside gestured to the ships behind him. "Move out, we won't be leaving until everyone is on the boats, so say whatever goodbyes you have to and get a move on."

They all relaxed, and Carson patted Val's shoulder. "I bet you're glad you can say goodbye in public this time?"

Val nodded, smiling up at him. "I suppose it is an upside to everyone knowing about us."

She wasn't lying; since she had been announced as marchionessit had been so much easier for the both of them to show each other affection in the camp, with kisses on the cheek as they passed each other and not having to wait until midnight to go to his tent, as much as she hated to admit that Varian had been right, the decision to make it official was probably the best they could have made.

So she had absolutely no qualms about leaving her group for a minute after giving Carson her pack and tapping as far up Varian's back as she could (there was no way in hells that she'd ever reach his shoulder). He turned, smiling down at her, but she could see what was behind that smile.

"Varian, I'll be fine."

He didn't say anything, he merely bent down and embraced her, sweeping his nose through his hair. "You better be or I swear I'll come down there and kill you myself."

She laughed, but it was muffled by his neck since she had really no choice but to let him press her face into it. "No you won't, stop lying."

His sigh made their cuirasses clink. "I know. Please Val, just be careful."

It was a bittersweet kiss that he gave her after he finally let her go, one that said he was unhappy she was going but looking forward to seeing her again, in a strange way. "You know I will. Look after yourself while I'm gone. I was only joking about the beard thing."

Varian gave her a smile. "Well and truly noted. Write as soon as you get there."

Val squeezed his hand. "Of course. Tell Tiffin I said goodbye?"

Varian finally let go of her. "As soon as I see her. Now go on, before I change my mind about you going."

She jumped up for one more quick squeeze, which he gladly gave, kissing his cheek and stepping back, swivelling on her heel and running over to a waiting Carson, who met the King's gaze and understood his silent message of 'I'm trusting you to keep her safe.'

One last wave as she ascended the gangplank, a laugh as he chided her for leaning over the side to see him….and she was gone.

It was too quiet. Val didn't like how silent it was as she and Kay ducked behind a small wall surrounding Sentinel Hill.

"I thought you said that this was 'heavily guarded?"

Syverson shushed her from his position in front, looking back at her. "I did, and was under the impression that it was."

Val supposed it was a small blessing that they couldn't hear the same plethora of orcs that they had for the past five days. They'd been away from Lordaeron a week, and all they had to show for it were a few reclaimed farms and a cache of Orcish weaponry that none of them could use because it was too damn big.

Though the orc's camp was large, it was nearer the border to Elwynn than first thought, giving them a small amount of time to clear the stragglers and move inwards. Sentinel Hill had been their next landmark, but now they had learned that there were hostages within, Syverson had been more than keen to get things moving before their two week limit was up.

After taking the hill, the final piece of the Westfall puzzle would be the orc camp by the bridge leading to Elwynn, which Val was not looking forward to at all. The main road that went through Westfall had been decorated with the bodies of those that the orcs hadn't burned to an ash pinned by stakes, making everyone in their troop that was a native to the region recoil in horror, but replace that with a furious anger that threatened to ruin everything, with Val included.

Thankfully none of those who she'd managed to get a good look at as they took them down whenever they could were known to be Bess or Lucian, in a sick way it made her a little bit glad that there was probably nothing left of her brother since he would most likely have shared the same fate.

She and Kay were with a group of ten, with Hemming, Carson and Arin staying behind to prepare with the rest for the final push.

"Our priority is those hostages. Get them out, then light this-" He gave Val a small candle. "-and put it in the window once you've cleared the actual tower, that way we'll know to strike without risking them harm."

They were starting to hear them now, coming from the tower with their wolves, making Val's hairs stand on end. They had all attempted to cover their scents by smearing the dirt from various parts of Westfall over them, whether it was going to work or not remained to be seen, but so far none of the bulky beasts had noticed them.

"Glenmore, Thorpe, Garrett, Halliway, you go now and we'll await your signal. You have fifteen minutes before we come and get you."

Val was dreading this for all the right reasons; she wasn't good at sneaking, years of trying to leave the shop in the dead of night and always managing to bang intosomethingattested to that, so to say she was nervous would be an understatement.

As soon as the orc's backs were turned she took a deep breath, praying that the dirt worked and keeping her back hunched, quickly moving forward and flattening herself against another section of wall that had miraculously been left standing.

There were two orcs at the door, and she knew that arrows would attract too much attention no matter how clean the kill, so instead she turned to Halliway, their resident archer, and Garrett, a fire mage who would prove more useful than the timid man once thought.

"Light one of your arrows, cause a distraction."

Halliway nodded, thankfully hearing her faint whisper, sliding an arrow from her quiver and holding the end out once it was nocked for Garrett to light. "Hurry up, they're coming back!"

Val didn't ignore Kay's warning but at the same time she didn't listen, watching the lit end of the projectile swing in the air and fly true, hitting a small patch of dry grass to the right of the tower.

It did its job of setting it instantly ablaze and catching the attention of every single orc in the vicinity, with one shouting in Orcish loud enough for Val to know he was talking about them, so the four of them lowered as much as they could, with Val practically on her belly with her toes bent so she could spring up and go if this worked as she hoped it would.

The wolves were drawn to the overwhelming smell of smoke, killing two birds with one stone and providing enough cover visually and scent wise to make her relax a little.

"The way's clear, let's go."

Val wished she had her smithing goggles with her since the plan had worked a littletoowell and visibility was growing increasingly impaired. She felt the grass brush her fingertips, moving at a pace she never thought possible; she felt strange, hurrying but moving slowly at the same time, like she was her own paradox.

Once they were inside the actual tower, Val clapped Halliway's shoulder. "Keep watch, yell if they come back too soon."

"Yes Milady."

Val hushed her own grumbles about the widespread use of the title now things had become public, resigning herself to the fact that it would be used no matter how many times she told people not to do it.

Shaw's spies had told Syverson that the captives were of course on the top floor, so she went first up the tight staircase, watching her feet since she had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach that she'd be the one to lose her footing and make them all plummet.

She raised a hand to stop them, hearing a low voice on the walkway that led to the next staircase.

"Garrett."

The redhead needed no more prompting as Kay let him through, silently planning with Val and flicking his wrist, making her shut her eyes involuntarily at the small bang, clearing them once it was over and finding a small sheep in place of the orc.

"Kay, stop laughing." The dark haired woman put her hand over her mouth as tightly as she could.

Spells like polymorph had already been discussed to be the easiest to use in this situation, since they made less noise and worked so quickly that the orc it would be used on wouldn't have time to call for help.

Val zipped over, knowing the spell didn't work for long, putting a hand over the snout of the 'sheep' and using what hunting tricks Varian had taught her, slitting the thing's throat with her dagger and ignoring how it showered her forearm in blood.

As it died, the sheep changed back to an orc, making Val involuntarily grunt with the sudden weight change. She put the corpse down with as little noise as possible, pointing upwards as she heard shouts.

Her anger threatened to boil over at how young some of the cries for mercy were, but she kept herself in check, leaving Garrett to keep lookout on that level in case Light forbid something happened to Halliway and they were followed.

Flattening herself against the wall she took Stormfallfrom her belt, giving Kay the signal to get her own sword from its scabbard.

"How many?"

Val gripped the ledge next to her and grit her teeth, pulling herself up enough to hang there and still be able to look. She dropped down, going back down a few steps so they were out of earshot.

"Only one, with a wolf." Kay's ear tickled with her whisper and they put their heads together.

"So we take the wolf first?"

Val frowned. "We won't have time, once we make ourselves known, they'll both attack. I'll handle the wolf, you hold out with the orc as long as you can."

She tapped Garrett's shoulder. "Give it a minute, if there's still fighting, come up."

He nodded, letting Val prepare herself. "There's no point sneaking, that wolf will smell us as soon as we get up there, I already saw its nose twitching."

She put her hammer down, pulling Little Bird out instead and opening the barrels, checking how many bullets she had; Magni had shown her a much better way to load a pistol than pressing gunpowder and firing ball bullets every single time, and given her a good supply of larger, more ferocious bullets that had twice the gunpowder packed into them.

"I can probably land one shot before we're noticed, so ready yourself."

All she got was a smile and she crept back up the stairs, using the gap between the railings closing the floor from the stairwell to rest Little Bird, aiming at the back leg of the sleeping wolf.

Feeling the sweat start to bead she pulled the trigger, feeling her ears pop as the gun fired and hit its target, alerting the large green orc to their presence, with his canine companion attempting to get up but not quite managing it.

Val and Kay both sprinted up the stairs with Val ducking and rolling under the orc's swinging arm, hearing the clang that meant Kay had deflected its blow and letting the wolf charge, flitting right and pivoting on her heel, using the momentum to hit the beast in the other side, not quite at the thigh, which had been what she was aiming for, but near enough for it to stumble.

It skidded on its front paws as it turned, baring all of its teeth and not giving Val much time to react as it barrelled towards her, earning a mouthful of iron when it knocked Val back, growling around the head of Stormfalland drenching her in spittle, making the job of fumbling with Little Bird's holster that much more infuriating.

Eventually she managed it, cursing loudly and pressing all four barrels to its chin, reminding herself to thank Magni as its skull exploded in a macabre firework of innards and gunpowder, spraying Val's face and making her not want to open her eyes for the rest of her life.

She shoved the furry body from her, haphazardly wiping her face and realizing Kay hadn't taken care of the orc yet. So using the same knife she had downstairs she stabbed its leg, making it kneel and giving Kay a window to swing downwards and take the thing's head off, hearing the quiet "that's absolutely disgusting" from Garrett once it bounced down the stairs.

"Kay, search it for a key whilst I make a start."

She obeyed, cringing as she rooted around the orc's loincloth, letting Val kneel before the huddled, terrified group and smile reassuringly.

"It's alright, we're here to get you to a place of safety."

The man in the centre swallowed hard. "They took our farms, burned our houses, then locked us up in here, feeding us to that damn wolf one by one…"

Val fought the urge to heave. "It won't be happening anymore I promise you, Westfall is nearly ours again and soon we'll be taking the Capital."

The woman pushed some blood crusted hair from her face. "Did King Llane send you?"

Val's heart wrenched as she realized that meant they had been imprisoned before Stormwind was taken, so they had no clue of the outside world or its changes. "No, but King Varian did."

Their faces told her they needed no other explanation. She muttered a string of swears under her breath as another lock-pick broke.

"Kay, any luck with that key? These are all too small."

Kay dangled it in front of her face, clearly pleased with herself. "It was around the wolf's neck."

She snatched it, sticking it in the first padlock. "Where are you taking us?"

Kay gave the little girl, who couldn't have been more than ten, a warm smile. "Back to our camp. Don't worry little one, you'll be safe there."

Val looked back at the dead wolf to make sure it definitely wasn't moving in some sick twist of fate. "I reckon I should skin that fucker, that pelt must be worth something."

Kay was clearly thinking the same thing, but had a grin on her face as she kept watch. "It's big enough to probably make matching coats for you and Varian."

Val snorted, letting the last of them go and reaching to a pouch on her belt for the candle to signal Syverson. "I doubt it, you've seen how big Varian is, I'll probably just get some boots out of it. Get ready, I'm about to tell Sy that we've done it."

She lit the candle with the matches in her belt, put it in the window and turned to the frightened citizens. "Stay here, don't move until we give the all clear, understand? Don't worry, none of you will come to any harm. Kay, stay with them in case Light forbid someone slips up here."

Kay gave her a smirk. "Who died and made you general?"

Val playfully sneered, already making her way down the stairs. "Just do it, you cowbag."

She met with Garrett and Halliway, already hearing the ruckus outside and tightening her grip on Stormfall, sprinting out and ducking as a shield came flying at her from a fallen soldier.

"Glenmore, with me! Halliway, go back up to the top floor! Garrett, teleport the wounded out!"

Val swooped down, narrowly avoiding a club aimed for her skull, picking up a sword by her feet and plunging it into its side, using both hands to bring her hammer down onto its head once it crumpled.

She met Syverson, who surprisingly had a grin on his face. "You did well Glenmore, I'm impressed."

She didn't answer, too focused on shooting the legs of wolves to acknowledge him. "How many orcs are left?"

Sy slashed another one's chest, cutting horizontally as well. "No idea, but these wolves are getting on my nerves. Have you got any bullets left?"

Val nodded and he let his relief show on his face. "Good, keep going for the legs."

He broke away from her, firing at an approaching wolf, not realizing that another was coming from her side until its teeth clamped themselves onto her arm, only making it worse when she spun to face it.

"You mother fucking cunting bitch!"

Before any more curses could leave her lips, a fireball screamed its way into the wolves side, killing it instantly, and more importantly disengaging it. Val was instantly dizzy from blood loss, watching it fire from her arm like a demented fountain.

"Stay with me Glenmore, that's it." She felt Syverson's large hands clamp the limb, which in hindsight wasn't the best idea since all it did was make her scream loudly and promptly lose conciousness, watching everything go blurry, then snap to black.

"She better be alive or we're all going to be flayed …."

She heard Carson's rough tone when her eyes finally opened again, taking longer to focus than it really should've taken. "Ow…"

Arin's grin was the first thing her vision focused on, and just looking at it made her head throb. "See Car, I told you she wasn't dead! How you feeling?"

Val blinked a few times, looking down at her arm and only finding faint scars where the teeth had pierced her flesh. "Like absolute shit. What happened?"

Kay crossed her legs since she was sitting on the cot next to her. "That wolf blind-sided you and nearly took your arm off. You passed out when Sy was healing you."

Val moved her arm to make sure it was functioning properly, relieved to find it still had all five fingers. "Damn thing, I'll make it into a fucking rug."

Carson's grin told her that someone had already beaten her to it. "It's by your bedroll, you're welcome."

She laughed, feeling herself ache afterwards. "How long have I been out cold?"

Hemming shrugged."A few hours maybe? Not long enough to tell home about."

Val suddenly felt very apprehensive. "No one's told Varian about this then?"

That's when they all looked uneasily at her. "There has to be a report whenever a soldier goes to the infirmary for more than an hour Val…he'll probably know by tomorrow."

Carson looked genuinely apologetic. "We tried to stop him, but apparently his hands are tied."

Val groaned, wishing she was still unconscious. "Well, it was nice knowing all of you I suppose."

Hemming patted her bent knee. "It won't be that bad."

Val's face only made Carson laugh more. "And that's how I know you haven't met Varian yet."

She took the water Arin gave her with a smile. "Thank you. So, what exactly have I missed? Did those people get out alright?"

Kay nodded, finally taking her gauntlet off. "Aye, and Sentinel Hill is under Alliance control for the moment."

Carson's brow furrowed. "We'll be starting the assault on the main camp sooner rather than later I should think, we've boxed them in enough to make them more nervous than a rabbit near a fox pen."

Arin nudged her with a grin. "So we're doubly glad you're not dead, so you don't miss out on the fun."

Carson looked disgruntled and she was anxious to know why. "I'd rather we just go in and fight, but Syverson reckons all this covert crap has been working, so we're being sneaky in our assault."

Val put her cup down. "How so?"

Kay, who she had found was really getting invested in the 'sneaky' aspect of warfare, looked adorably excited. "Mekkatorque has given us bombs to set inside the camp, then once our people are out, the archers will rain hells upon them before we storm the place and round up any survivors."

Val's eyebrow rose even though by all accounts it was a good plan. " 'Round up?' as in, we're keeping them alive?"

Hemming's look was grave. "Apparently there have been prisons commissioned in Lordaeron for the orcs so they can be 'studied' and 'reasoned with'. It's a far fetched idea that could only prove a terrible one, but we have to follow orders."

"Indeed you do. Good to see you awake Glenmore."

They all stood and saluted Syverson as he wandered in, putting a hand up and looking more relaxed than they'd seen him in a while.

"At ease, all of you." He clapped her shoulder, taking her arm and turning it in the other hand."That's going to be a great conversation starter at Win'mter Veil, Glenmore."

Val grumbled despite the hidden compliment. "My partner might not think so…"

Syverson looked sympathetic. "I'll handle King Varian, don't worry, you're not going to be recalled anytime soon, not if I have anything to do with it."

He let her go and folded his large arms, looking between her and Kay. "Good job today you two, thanks to your efforts we saved those people from a fate worse than death. You can have tomorrow off from training."

He threw them a wink. "Just try not to wander off too much."

He pointed to the three men. "You three on the other hand, I want up bright and early."

Carson gave him a glare. "Fuck off Sy."

Syverson stuck his finger up at him. "Don't ever change Car, you absolute prick."

It took a still drowsy Val to remember that these two knew each other already from their days in the navy and that's why Car hadn't been disciplined on the spot, for a second she truly believed he'd just put his foot in it. Syverson turned on his heel, apparently only coming to see if Val was alright.

"Dinner's been served, I suggest you all grab some while there's enoughtograb."

Carson shook his head as he left, his lip curling. "Light, I remember why I hated that twat in the first place."

Arin looked at him as if he were mad. "He's not that bad Car. Or is it because he's bigger than you?"

They all managed a laugh, knowing they couldn't leave yet until the medic saw to Val, and thankfully she was already on her way over.

"How about you shut your mouth Holton before you need that medic as well?"

Hemming snorted, moving out of the way so the middle-aged brunette could bend in front of Val and pull her eyelids to make sure she could see alright. "Stop being so touchy all the time Carson, it's only mildly funny at this point."

Val stuck her tongue out when she was told to, not really seeing what this did but figuring she wasn't as knowledgeable about first aid, so she did it regardless. "Alright, you're fit to leave. Any dizziness or nausea, come back and I'll give you something different for the pain."

Val thanked her, letting Carson pass her cloak to her and the five of them start towards the mess tent. "Does anyone else kind of want to see Syverson argue with King Varian over Val going home?"

Val shuddered at the mere thought of it. "Ireallyhope it doesn't come to that or I'm fairly certain we'll have a new general by the end of the week."

Arin bit his bottom lip, counting on his fingers who long they'd been here since a calendar was nowhere to be seen on the camp. "Have you actually written to Varian at all yet?"

Val stopped dead, curling her fists and banging them on her temples. "Fuck! No, I haven't, we've been so damn busy! Oh Light I bet he's doing his nut…"

Hemming nudged her, trying with all of his being not to start laughing at how flustered she was getting. "You can do it while we eat. We'll help you word it so it placates him."

Val huffed, rolling her shoulder to rid it of the ache she was told she'd feel for a while.

"I think the only thing that will placate him once he finds out is me shipping myself back to Lordaeron and being shackled to him for the rest of my life."

Kay looped her arm with Val's good one, smelling the chowder being cooked already and being thankful it wasn't stew again. "Just be glad you have a man who cares Val, those are hard to come by nowadays."

Hemming stuck his bottom lip out like a petulant child. "I care."

Kay let go of Val to put her arms around his neck and kiss his cheek. "I know you do, and it's adorable."

"Arin, can you hold mine for a second while I run and get some parchment? I think I better write that letter before the courier leaves."

Arin didn't really have a choice as she thrust her food at him after being given it, running at a steady pace to their tent and rummaging through her pack for her writing tools, frowning at the three letters she had completely forgotten to open already and scooping them up with it.

She opened one on her way back, smiling at it and not watching at all where she was going until Kay called her and she finally looked up, changing directions to join them.

"Anything good?"

Val plonked down next to Arin, gratefully took her food and read as she ate.

"I feel bad; he gets more worried with every letter. Listen to this; "Val, I know I promised not to smother you, but I received word that you'd all gotten to Westfall five days ago and I only let you go because you swore to me you'd write when you got there. Just tell me your safe and I'll leave it be, but I can't help worrying Sweetheart. 'I feel absolutely terrible."

She tore some bread, dipped it in the chowder and threw it in her mouth, opening her ink pot and starting to scratch out the shortest letter she could muster since the sun was already going down and the courier left when it was set completely.

"Just tell him you're awfully sorry, you've been busy, but you're fine, that's all he needs to know."

Val's furious scribbling carried on for a good minute before she held it up. "Varian- all is well, I've finally gotten a minute to actually sit down and reply to you. I know I've worried you, but you can sleep easy, since I'm absolutely fine."

Carson snickered, interrupting her. "'Nearly got arm ripped off by massive wolf, but apart from that it's been just another day on the farm. Love Val.'"

Val glared at him, ignoring the tittering laughter from the other three. "No! What Iactuallysaid was 'I promise to write more consistently-"

She showed Hemming the letter, making sure she'd spelt it right and feeling rather smug when he told her she had. "-and promise if anything happens you'll be the first to know. Give Tiffin my regards, I hope you two are alright, I miss you everyday, love Val."

She bit the inside of her cheek. "I didn't see the need to mention the 'accident'."

Arin snorted, spooning his last mouthful up. "That's probably for the best."

Hemming didn't look so sure. "Wouldn't you rather he hear it from you though? Or do you want to risk him hearing from Syverson when the report goes out next week?"

Val tapped her knee with her quill, seeing his point and quickly adding it to the bottom of her letter."All done."

Arin drummed his knee, clearly thinking of something other than Val's grovelling letters. "So we should have Stormwind back soon?"

Val nodded, blowing on the ink to dry it. "As far as I know, that camp and Goldshire are our next stops, should the Light be nice and not give us any obstacles."

Carson looked very serious considering how light Val's voice was. "Are you going to be able to handle going back to Stormwind Val?"

She felt rather stupid giving him a blank look instead of an answer, yet here she was."Of course, all I want to do is go home…"

Carson shook his head, putting his bowl down. "That's not what I meant. When we get there we won't have time to look around and reminisce, we'll be fighting, and I'm worried your emotions are going to get in the way of your senses."

Val could understand that, but it didn't mean she liked it. "If you're telling me that I'm going to put everybody in danger because I'll be hysterical, you can think again. All I want to do is get the city back,thenworry about how I feel about it."

She angrily ate, knowing she was being petulant with what was by all accounts a fair observation.

"Either way, Stormwind will be cleared, and we can do what we need to until we're called again. Syverson said we'll all be on leave for a good while if we manage it." Kay made a noise of agreement with Hemming.

"That would be good, a break is just what we need. We've been at this for months already."

Carson scoffed, watching Val ignore him. "It can't have been more than four Kay."

The dark haired woman shrugged it off. "Considering I never dreamed of joining the military in the first place, that's one hell of a long time."

Val smiled despite her sudden bad mood. "Cillian was adamant I wouldn't last a week."

Arin matched her grin. "So when are we meeting the elusive pirate?"

Val wiped her mouth, bending her knees and opening the second letter, leaning it on her thighs. "He said as soon as Stormwind's retaken he'll come with some workers he knows that cost next to nothing to hire."

She leant her head back on the barrel she was sitting in front of. "I hope he brings my Grammy with him, I could just do with her advice right now."

Hemming's brow furrowed. "'Grammy'? Who's Grammy?"

Val grinned. "My Grandmother. She's the head of our family and Light above does everyone know it. Varian's scared shitless of her."

Arin looked highly skeptical. "Varian Wrynn is scared of yourGrandmother?How old is she?"

Val had already broken into giggles, folding Varian's second annoyed letter up.

"Sixty three. And I swear on the Holy Light above Varian is terrified of her. She can be one scary lady."

Carson knew Val wasn't the happiest with him but didn't care, he was still taking part of the conversation. "Must be where you get it from then!"

She made the rudest gesture she could think of in her less than alert state, feeling the effect of whatever painkiller the medic had given her and feeling rather lazy. "I haven't seen her since the attack…"

Her frown deepened. "She wrote to me straight after, asking me what I wanted to do now, and when I said 'stay with Varian' she told me it would be the biggest mistake I'd ever make in my life."

Kay brushed some dirt from her knee. "And is it?"

Val shrugged, which wasn't what any of them had been expecting. "Well, so far it's worked out rather well, but I'm not going to jinx it by saying everything's perfect."

Hemming folded his arms, feeling the day's training he'd had creeping up on him. "Hopefully you'll be seeing him soon enough."

Kay yawned, putting her head on his shoulder. "Until then, can I suggest we get some sleep?"

Val wasn't particularly tired, just lethargic, so she shook her head. "You lot go on, I'll be there in a minute."

Carson waved them off, apparently having the same idea, sitting next to her and stretching his long legs. "How are you doing?"

She asked him the same question every day, and every day it made him smile in gratitude. "Better than usual."

She took the hand he was offering, letting him put them both on his lap. "I didn't mean to piss you off earlier, about the Stormwind thing…"

Val's smile held a flicker of the strain she was feeling constantly lately. "Don't worry about it, you had every right to ask. It is going to be hard for me to not have emotion when we get there, but I'll do what I need to, you know that."

He looked down at her arm. "You scared me earlier, you know."

Val's eyebrow quirked. "Why?"

He gently poked one of the tooth marks. "Maybe because all I was told is that you were in the infirmary with your arm nearly hanging off?"

Val laughed without meaning to. "Sy had healed me by then Car."

He huffed, linking their fingers. "He did fuck all, he's not a paladin or a priest, he just stemmed the blood flow."

Val's eyebrow stayed where It was. "And you're berating him for that?"

Carson's upper lip curled. "No, it just annoyed me that you didn't get seen to sooner."

She bumped her shoulders against his with a grin. "You're like a grumbling old granddad, you know that?"

Carson reached over and ruffled her hair affectionately. "I'm notthatmuch older than you, you cheeky cow!"

Val looked out at the soldiers pottering about, looking far too serious for Carson's liking. "What are you thinking?"

Val shrugged, not really knowing herself. "Whether this is all going to go as easy as we hope it does. Saurfang knows we're coming, and with these giants the orcs have, we might not stand a chance one we actually get there."

Carson put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a light squeeze. "Have a little optimism Val, one of us has to. Stormwind will be a piece of piss compared to Hillsbrad, you wait and see. Then we can all relax for a bit and get on with sorting the place out."

Val got up, waiting for him to join her. "I'm dying to see what condition it's in and start cracking on with the rebuild."

Carson nudged her forward, figuring they may as well get some rest in while they still could. "Well, you'll find out soon enough love. One more push, then onto Stormwind."