Varian had been convinced before they'd landed that he wouldn't be shocked by anything he saw trudging through what used to be Lordaeron, but apparently he'd been very much mistaken.

Heand Adil had camped their troops just outside Brill, and despite the Scourge retreating when Arthas had first conquered, some were too simple to realise that their brethrenwere no longer there, and during the march down to the capital the Alliance forces had to make multiple stops to clear out whatever groups were left.

While he was frustrated with the delay, Varian couldn't deny that everytime Shalamayne cut through one of the numerous abominations he felt a rare sense of satisfaction.

He just wished he didn't have things at home to stress about at the same time. It had been a week since Val had written informing him of the discourse in Stormwind, but he'd apparently disappointedher greatly with his ignorance, despite it being genuine.

He had no idea that the fool that had been 'preaching' that night had been arrested, and quite frankly he hadn't really cared until he'd read on and found out that Val and Anduin had been dragged into it all.

He hadn't been sent an execution order, which meant the bastard wasn't to be killed, so why his peers had decided to act like a herd of apes and rally at the Keep gates was beyond him.

He'd grown rightfully furious, scrawling a missive back to both her and Gregor, telling the former to stay in the Keep with Anduin and not to engage with the rabble, and the latter to get off of his rump and actually do something about it.

He knew twenty or so people weren't actually that much of a threat to a Keep surrounded by one hundred men every day, but if their numbers grew or someone decided to take it too far and aim their anger at his family he'd never forgive himself or any of the staff.

He knew it was excessive to imprison the man, but he expected the guards to do their jobs, and he had broken the law, so Varian had told Val there was nothing he could do from here…and she hadn't written back since.

He wasn't sure whether she was merely swept up in the busy life they led to do it, or whether she was as vexed with him as she clearly was with the rest of them, but her silence was irking him faster than he should've let it.

He had enough to deal with, the last thing he needed was Val starting another argumentover something that was out of his control.

He ladledanother spoonful of water in the tin excuse for a cup he was holding, making sure it was hanging on the side of the barrel before glugging it down.

He'd brought no luxuries this time around, wanting to stick to his plan of making this as quick a battle as he could, and that meant not faffing about with dismantling furniture that really wasn't needed anyway. So a bedroll on the floor and water from a barrel was all he needed and wanted.

He withered, seeing the same face he'd spent the last week arguing with and not wanting to deal with it today. "Jaina."

She surprisingly gave him a small smile, waving a hand over his cup and letting a small ring of frost form on the rim. "You look as bad as I feel."

Varian grunted, taking another slow sip. "Easy enough for you to say, one wave of your hand and you can go home for the night."

Jaina frowned, hearing the bite in his tone. "I don't want to start round thirteen with you, Varian."

He cocked an eyebrow, continuing to drink until his cup was empty. "I'm sure it was twelve we were on."

To see Jaina laughing was a sight he'd never say he was begrudged to see despite everything, and he'd be lying if it didn't bring a small smirk to his face.

She held out a letter, mashing her lips together as he took it."I went to Stormwind last night, to see how things were there."

Varian took it, inwardly sighing at how it was addressed 'Father', instead of 'Varian', meaning Anduin had written it and not Val. "And? What did you find out?"

Jaina folded her arms, which was never a good sign. "Val wouldn't really tell me anything, but she looked absolutely exhausted. The protesters have doubled since last week and it's made it impossible for them to even leave the Keep."

Varian stuffed the unopened letter in the pocket of his trousers, running exasperated palms down his face. "What in the seven hells is Gregor doing down there? I left him in charge, he should be dealing with this!"

Jaina put a hand on his arm in an attempt to stop him drawing attention to himself when she knew he didn't want it, seeing some of the men start to stir. "Varian, he told me himself that there's nothing he can do until someone crosses the line, and as king, you should know that."

His teeth were gritting and it was only his headache worse. "I'm two seconds away from giving him the order to scatter them by any means. My family are prisoners in their own home because of some idiot who couldn't keep his mouth shut."

Jaina shook her head, taking her hand away. "That won't solve anything and you know it. Why don't you just sign the release?"

Varian pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't, not for someone who's been formally charged for treason. Any other charge and I wouldn't hesitate but with that one even myhands are tied."

Jaina was strangely smirking, which he wasn't sure was highly appropriate given the conversation. "What's so funny?"

She snorted into the back of her hand, swallowing down any further titters. "It's just…oh Varian, you should've seen her. I found her asleep with tomes on Stormish law as a pillow."

Varian didn't share her humour and she noticed after a few seconds of his face staying straight. "And that's funny how?Val's exhausting herself in an effort to learn, and you find it amusing?"

Jaina clucked her tongue, realising her error and feeling rather foolish about thinking that he'd find it funny. "I've just never known her to be a scholar, that's all."

Varian's sigh came from deep within his chest as he folded his arms. "She wouldn't have to be if she'd married a simpler man. I'd been trying to keep her away from that side of our lives for so long, I thought I'd actually managed it."

Jaina confused him with her sympathy when not two seconds ago she'd been mocking Val's efforts. "She knew what she was getting into when she chose to be yours all those years ago Varian. You need to give her more credit about what she can handle."

His grimace made her wonder if he agreed with what she'd said, or whether it just made him angrier. "You think I've been too protective."

It was a statement, not a question, she knew it from his tone. "I think you had the best intentions in doing it, if that's any consolation?"

She bit her bottom lip, wondering if this would be the spark to light the powder keg. "But unlike when you do it with Anduin…Val's an adult. And furthermore, she knows what hard work is, it won't overwhelm her to know about how a kingdom runs."

Varian huffed in annoyance. "From what you've told me, it's overwhelming her already."

Jaina's face didn't move. "Because she's trying to cram what you've been learning your whole life into a ridiculously short space of time. If you'd been teaching her this from the beginning, I bet she wouldn't even bat an eyelid by this point."

Varian clearly took offence to that. "So it's all my fault is it? It's my fault that I tried to keep her away from a life where no minute of the day is yours, where you have to make decisions that cost ludicrous amounts of gold that no one has, or even worse, a life? I'm not apologising for trying to keep her sane, I don't care how much you disapprove."

Jaina's brow furrowed and she fought the sigh creeping up he throat. "Varian, that's not what I meant in the slightest and you know it. I'm just saying that certain decisions could've been handled better."

She held a finger up to stop the protestation sitting in his open mouth. "But now is your chance to rectify it. She's obviously willing to learn, hells, I think she's studying harder than I ever did, so when you get back to Stormwind, sit with her and teach her. You're the King for Light sakes, no one in that Keep is more qualified than you to school her in how to be a Queen."

Varian exhaled slowly through his nose, looking down at his mud crusted boots. "I suppose it was going to have to happen at some point, wasn't it? I just…I just don't want it to change her like I know it has me, Jaina. I'm not the man she fell in love with, it would kill me if I lost her to bureaucracy."

Jaina was smiling again, cautiously touching his bicep. "You really think that Valerica Glenmore, the most stubborn woman we know, will let a little thing like politics change her? If you ask me, you have nothing to worry about."

Well I didn't ask you, did I?

Varian had alot to think over, she could see it on his face, so gently clearing her throat she looked out at the sleeping soldiers.

"The Forsaken are still in Brill, so we're under the impression that this 'rebellion' has solely taken place in the capital alone."

Varian cocked an eyebrow at her. "You think we shouldn't pass through?"

Jaina pulled a face. "These are still technically their lands, Varian. They're still technically Lordanes."

Varian gritted his teeth. "By that logic we should invite the Lich King back, seeing as he's 'technically Lordic'."

Jaina flinched like he'd slapped her. "That's not fair Varian."

Varian folded his arms, furrowing his already wrinkled brow. "It doesn't matter either way; if we reclaim the capital they'll have to move on to Horde territories anyway. The land belongs to no one right now, so anything is a possibility."

She wrung her hands, wondering how to put this. "Or you could just let them have Brill and keep the rest as Alliance territory?"

If looks could kill she would have probablycombusted where she stood. "And give Sylvanas Windrunner a base to kill everyone and bolster her forces? You just told me you're learned Jaina, don't make me doubt your claim."

He shook his head in angered assurance. "No, Lordaeron was Alliance territory to begin with, hells, it was the birthplace of the Alliance. I'll be doing a disservice to the spirit of those Arthas slaughtered if I didn't at least try to get it back to the way it was."

Jaina's face was grave. "So you'll slaughter hundreds of Forsaken instead? When we've proven that they're pretty much humans except in different flesh? That makes you no better than him Varian."

Apparently that was the straw to break the donkey's back and he swivelled on his heel, stomping towards the dark blue tent at the head of the camp with Jaina quickening her pace to catch up.

"Varian-"

He turned so quickly that she could swear she heard a whistle, pointing a finger in her face once he'd gotten to the privacy of linen walls.

"Don't you evercompare me to that scumbag again, do you hear me? All I've done, everything I do, is for the good of my people. And as of three years ago, that includes Lordaeron."

He sighed deeply, running a hand down his face. "Jaina, I'm not doing any of this for the hilarity of it all. If I could get Lordaeron back without any casualtiesthan I would die a happy man, but it's not realistic, which is what you need to learn, and quickly."

Another beat of silence followed and he lightly knocked his knuckles against the war table sitting in the centre of the 'room'. "I'll send a messenger to Brill in the next few hours, warning them that we're coming and that they have a chance to leave. If they don't, that's their choice."

Jaina didn't look too thrilled about his 'compromise'. "Varian, it's their home."

He fought another sigh. "The Argent Crusade has already won back the west, it only makes sense to land the final blow now the opportunity has been put into our laps. The Forsaken are Horde, and the Horde have no place here, end of story. I'll have my squire write a notice in the next hour or so."

Jaina sighed in defeat, taking a seat even though he hadn't offered one. There was a long silence, and she had to wonder whether Varian remembered she was even there.

"Do you ever still think about him?"

Varian's brow furrowed as he started plotting out the route from Brill to the capital. "Think about who?"

Jaina swallowed. "Arthas."

Varian's hand stopped and he put his quill down, not looking up at her. "Of course I do."

Jaina started wringing herhands again like she was trying to clean them of something. "About killing him? Or saving him?"

Varian's eye twitched. "Why the hells would I think about saving him? He's a little beyond saving, don't you agree?"

Jaina pursed her lips. "He wasn't always though."

Varian merely shrugged, carrying on with his task. "People change Jaina, it's the way of the world. We can't keep living in the past."

Jaina huffed in what he could swear was amusement. "That's very rich, coming from you."

Varian opened the calliperthat had been sitting in his hand, putting a ruler against the two points. "Well maybe I've grown up and realised what an ass I was being."

Jaina looked down at her lap. "I keep wondering what would've happened if I'd just stayed with him at Stratholme…maybe I could've stopped him from going to Northrend."

Varian shook his head, jotting down co-ordinates. "It probably wouldn't have even made a difference at that point."

Jaina sat up straighter. "But how can you possibly know that?"

Varian's eyebrow cocked. "Jaina, he was already knee deep in madness, we all said it at the time and nothing's changed my mind about it since. Without offending you, I don't think your presence would've stopped events from playing out as they have."

She stood, realising what a fruitless conversation this was. "I suppose I'm just thinking alot…you know, with the end of the war coming."

Varian grunted, finding the map of the Undercity and putting it on top of the larger one. "It would've been that much closer to ending had it not been for your friends, just think about that while we get ready to leave."

Jaina stiffened and relaxed, clenching her fists. "Varian, that's not fair."

His fist collided with the table. "No Jaina, what isn't fair is that I'm not at home with my fiancee and my son, preparing for the final assault and the final time I have to say goodbye to them. Instead I'm here planning another damn battle when the one that really matters is being put on hold."

Jaina stood, coming to the other side of the table and putting both hands on it. "They understand why Varian, and contrary to what you believe, I know that it's necessary to get Putress dealt with. I just don't agree with the idea that you need to prove something by getting every territory back!"

Varian stared her down, leaning in a little more than he had planned to. "Why are you even here then Jaina? We can get Putress without you, and if you're so dead against what I'm doing then why do you insist on accompanying me?!"

She had apparently been anticipating the question, squaring her shoulders even though the size difference between them was still impossible to close.

"Because sometimes Varian, you need someone to stop you."

Varian's eyebrow rose after about ten seconds of hard silence. "And that's going to be you is it?" Jaina swallowed.

"If I need to, I will. I won't let you start another war out of anger, Varian."

Varian straightened to his full height, waving a hand to the tent flap. "We're done here."

Jaina heard the biting tone to his voice and stepped back.

"I'll see you in Brill. Send the notice, give them a choice."

Varian stiffly nodded, only sighing when she left and he was once again alone. He looked up to find his new squire loitering by the entrance and beckoned him in with two fingers.

"You can enter, it's safe."

The younger man couldn't help his chuckle, bowing as he came in and standing opposite Varian. "Everything's in order for the attack on Brill, Your Majesty."

Varian folded his arms with a grimace. "Not completely it's not. I need you to scribe a notice of invasion for me, and be quick about it."

Merrick couldn't help but look confused, putting his hands behind his back. "For Brill, Your Majesty? Is that really necessary?"

Varian's lip curled in annoyance. "No, it's not, but unfortunately Lady Proudmoore was right and it's 'the decent thing'. Keep it short and formal, so they don't think we're going soft. We still leave by sundown."

Varian had to admire how little it took to make a beast happy.

With every stroke of the brush he had strapped to his hand Argo whinnied in what he could only presume was approval, contentedly munching away at the hay his master had filled the trough with and merely letting the King get on with it.

Varian was well aware that it wasn't really his job to prepare his horse for battle but he had insisted upon doing it simply to get a quiet moment to himself, needing a few minutes with someone who didn't talk back, or question him on everything, just enjoyed his company as much as he did theirs.

The sky was only just turning pink, and he knew he'd have to suit up soon, but for now he'd take advantage of whatever peace he was allowed.

"I don't exactly know why I'm bothering cleaning you up when I know you're coming back crusted in Light knows what."

He knew why he was doing it really, of course he did; because like everything else in his damn life, he had to make sure his horse looked 'worthy of a king'.

Light how he hated that phrase with a passion.

What was considered 'worthy of a king' was worthy of any man, and being born from the right womb didn't make Varian any better than those who were constantly told they were inferior.

Argo grunted impatiently, stomping his front hooves. "I know, I know, you want to leave, trust me so do I. I want this all over with as much as you do."

He pushed the brush over a particularlyknotted of hair, running his fingers through it until it smoothed again. He patted Argo's neck to calm him again, blowing a stray strand of his own hair from his face. "You miss Freya, don't you?"

He was well aware of how insane he sounded presuming that the two horses had any sort of connection when he knew it wasn't so, but it strangely helped his own melancholy.

"It's alright, I miss my lady too. But I'm sure they're doing just fine without us."

He glanced up at the sky again. "They should be getting ready for dinner by this point." His brow furrowed. "I'd kill for a decent roast right about now."

He chuckled to himself, finishing off and putting the brush down, scratching at an insect bite on his forearm. "Typical, the eve of a battle and all I'm talking about is food. But I suppose it's because I miss the company."

Another huff, making Varian's eyebrow cock. "Don't judge me. I know it's only been a week, but that's a hells of a long time to be away from a wife and child. You'd be the same if you had either."

He smoothed the saddle pad once he thrown it over Argo's middle, taking half an apple from the bucket and holding it out, feeling Argo's lips move over his palm as he eagerly took the treat. "I left Val during the worst few weeks that I could ever have chosen. Elliot's birthday…herbirthday, the protests…I'll feel like the luckiest man alive if she's even still there when I get back."

A small smile graced his weary features. "But she knows why I'm doing it, that's all that matters. She doesn't stand there constantly arguing over morality with me when there's none to be had."

He took a deep breath of the crisp evening air, letting it clear his senses. "Maybe that's why she was ignoring me- all this study she's apparently doing. Bless that woman, but she don't half make things hard for herself."

He would seem absolutely insane to anyone walking past, standing here talking to his horse like he'd end up replying, but quite frankly, he didn't care. "But then again, I can't deny that having her know what I'm talking about enough to get through the daily slog with me won't be a damn relief."

He grimaced, pointing a finger at Argo's eye. "Don't you tell her I'm admitting this. But…damn it all if I can't do this alone anymore."

A sigh came straight from the bottom of his chest as he got the saddle down from it's hook. "It was different when I was just the King of Stormwind, I could cope with just one kingdom under my belt."

He carefully positioned it on Argo's back, bending down to find the other catch of the strap. "But now I have pretty much half the world to worry about. I've never had to orchestratea war before, only fight in one, so it's a miracle when anything I suggest makes sense."

He pulled it taut once it was fastened, wary of how he was right within kicking distance. "I suppose I've been doing it alone at my own volitionthough, haven't I? Val's tried to help me but I kept pushing her away…just like she did to me when Elliot died."

He huffed in annoyance, making sure the buckle was fastened and standing again. "That was a fucking wake up call if there ever was one. One I really need to learn from."

Argo wasn't even paying attention to him, too busy with slurping up water from the trough to hear the personal crisis his master was going through. "When I get back to Stormwind I'll make her see that I don't condemn her endeavours at all. If she chooses to step up to her title, then how am I to hinder her efforts?"

He didn't put his bridle on yet, waiting for the actual ride to strap Argo up completely. "Though I think I'll draw the line at etiquettelessons. Somehow I have a sinking feeling those will be suggested, and I don't want her to change, Argo…that's the last thing I want."

His smile grew warm as he leant backwards on the support beam of the stables. "It was her personality that drew me to her in the first place, you know. Alot of people just look at us and see a beautiful woman on my arm, and she is beautiful, don't mistake me, but it was how she was so straight to the point that ensnared me."

He chuckled, picking a strand of hay from his shoulder and playing with it. "I'd sit through mornings of people treating me like a was a god walking among them…then I'd go to the shop and within five minutes Val would end up calling me a fucking bastard, and I'd absolutely love it."

He watched his fingers weave themselves around the dried grass. "It would break my heart if she lost that. It's probably why I didn't want her involved with court life. I know for an absolute fact that old windbag Tabitha Ridgewell has been telling her falsehoods about what being a good wife is; I don't want a woman that rubs my feet, agrees with my every decision automatically and looks like a pristine, porcelainbloody doll."

His smile grew even bigger. "I want one that jumps in puddles with my son, who doesn't care about getting her hands dirty and tells me to 'make my own fucking coffee'. And I've got it, but Light blind me if it's not a battle to keep her that way. And it'll be all my fault if she does end up giving in to those bastards."

He heard the horn that meant they were getting ready, straightening and stroking Argo's neck. "See you when we leave, old friend. May you bring me home as you have done many times before."

Argo whinnied again as Varian started back up the hill, shaking his head and furrowing his brow.

"Talking to your horse. Get some friends Varian, and bloody quickly."

Merrick was waiting for him when he managed to traverse the camp, standing to attention when the tent flap closed behind him. "Your Majesty. Your armour's all ready for you."

Varian nodded in acknowledgement, wishing he had a bottle of ale with him. "Is everything else ready?"

Merrick passed him his chainmail, brushing his breastplate off in preparation. "It is, Your Majesty. Shaw's scouts tell us that some of the Forsaken have actually heeded your warning and vacated the town."

Varian grimaced, rolling his shoulders so the heavy steel sat properly, bending so Merrick didn't have to stretch and lifting his arms so the buckles could be fastened either side. "'Some'. That means some stayed. Idiots."

Merrick reluctantly nodded. "I think they were under the impression that you're 'bluffing', Your Majesty."

Varian grunted this time, sitting down at the chair next to the war table to pull his sturdier boots on. "And they'll soon learn that I wasn't, and never will. I don't believe in that sort of trickery when it comes to battle, it's either do it or don't."

He looked up, finding that he could attach his greaves in his sleep nowadays. "What of the Horde forces? Any more sightings?"

Merrick nodded, just as he'd expected. "They've seemed to have bypassed Brill and gone straight for the capital, Sire."

Varian grumbled under his breath, stomping his foot to get his boot sitting properly. "Oh I bet they are. I should've known better than to think that no one would tell Thrall that we were here already."

He strapped a greave on with more force than was probably necessary. "We'll just have to get Brill done quickly and move straight on once it's cleared. Can you have the camp packed up while we're gone? I'll leave twenty or so men here to help."

Merrick once again inclined his head. "I don't see it being a problem, Your Majesty, will we be bringing it to Brill?"

Varian grunted in affirmation, doing the same with the other greave. "Yes. Once the town's cleared and declared, move in and the rest of us will storm the capital. If I know the Horde like I do, Sylvanas Windrunner probably has something waiting for us down there, so we'll need all the space we can get for the wounded."

Merrick was frantically scribbling everything he was saying down, taking his tasset from the stand once he'd risen. "Has Gelbin dropped off the gear I asked for?"

Merrick went to the war table and passed Varian was looked to be merely a leather half mask. "This is it? I asked for something to protect from the blight, damn it!"

Merrick handed him a sheet of parchment afterwards, and Varian could tell the elegantcursive was Gelbin's in a heartbeat. "With the time the High Tinker was given, Sire, it was the best he could do."

Varian shook it, swearing he could hear something rattling around in the two metallic cylinders sitting on both cheeks of the thing. "What's in them?"

Merrick's brow furrowed in what Varian presumed was concentration. "I would hazard a guess and say it's something to make the air breathable, Sire. Maybe runes of some kind."

Varian huffed, putting it back down. "And there's enough for everyone?"

Merrick didn't look too sure. "More or less, Your Majesty. A couple of men might have to share."

Varian slipped on a gauntlet with his face as hard as stone. "We'll have to get Adil's men in first then. He can cleanse the place, I've seen him do it before."

Merrick seemed to agree. "Those Samark sorcerers are something else entirely, Sire."

Varian merely grunted, more interested in the buckles his fingers were fighting with. "Just thank the Light that they joined the Alliance, or they'd be another war waiting to happen, and that's one we would have absolutely no chance of winning."

He strapped the other gauntlet on, shaking it to make sure it was in place. "I'll admit, the one time I almost wish I were a mage is when I'm away like this. It must be nice, having the ability to go home in the blink of an eye."

Merrick saw the look in his eye and figured comforting words would be best right about now. "If all goes well today Sire, we may be going home sooner than first thought."

Varian tightened his ponytail, putting the mask on and feeling rather like a muzzled dog, uncomfortable as all hells. "I can only pray that you're right. Come, let's get moving."

He felt a little out of place, riding between two mages that were capable of simply teleporting themselves to the town in front of them.

Both Adil and Jaina had decided not to use it simply to keep theirreserves at optimum power.

Despite Malygos' defeat and the restoration of the ley lines, mages everywhere had become alot more cautious with how much they used magic, especiallythose who were involved with the war.

He stopped Argo at the end of the road before they got to the town gates, raising a hand for the rest of the troop to halt.

The masks on their faces made speech impossible, but a simple look gave Varian assurance that they were both thinking the same thing, that it was far too quiet.

He dismounted, raising his hand again and pointing two fingers forward, looking up at the wall surrounding the gates and finding it slightly worrying that no one was waiting there to cut off their attack, as he had expected there to be.

His hand reached back and curled itself around Shalamayne's hilt, slowly pulling the blade from it's scabbard, making the whistle of the newly sharpened steel the only noise in the creeping night.

He gave Adil a nod and the prince waved a hand, sending a gust of air towards the wheels keeping the gates closed and making them turn.

Varian signalled for their men to get ready, holding Shalamayne with both hands and hunching as the gates slowly swung open to reveal…nothing.

There was not a soul in sight and Varian wanted to know why, reaching into his satchel and throwing a herb he'd been given earlier through the gates. It didn't die, which meant the plague wasn't present, so he whipped his mask off, hanging it on his belt.

"What the hells is going on here?"

Adil and Jaina took theirs off, and even the blond mage looked perplexed. "Maybe they all took your warning seriously?"

Varian shook his head, motioning for the troops to go forward again and letting them all surge into the supposedly desolate town, glad that they already knew to spread out.

"Merrick told me that some stayed. This stinks of an ambush."

Adil pre-emptively raised a hand and put a ward around them, leaving Jaina's hands free to weave and create a small ball of light, pushing it with her fingertips and watching it move towards the nearest building, weaving in and out of windows and doors until it looped back.

"Varian…there's no one here. I can't even detect any magic."

That put Varian on high alert, which he wasn't sure had been her intention. "All of you, check every building for suspicious barrels or crates, this place could be laced with blight ready to go off. Jaina, Adil, come with me to the town hall. If we're going to get answers, it'll be there."

The town hall itself was as deserted as the rest of the place, and there wasn't a sound made except for the horrific bangs Varian's shoulder made as it hit the door, eventually forcing it open.

"Varian, I really think they've gone. They're not soldiers, why would they stay just to have you sl-"

He held up a hand to quiet her, not wanting to listen to more of her 'reasoning' while something was niggling at the back of his head about this whole situation. "Adil, go upstairs and make sure it's clear. Jaina, check the back."

As adverse as she was to taking orders she obeyed him regardless, leaving him in an eerie silence that made the hairs on his arms stand up. "What are you planning, you witch?" He muttered, watching every footstep in case it set off some sort of booby trap, which he wouldn't put past Windrunner at all.

The main office had become as dilapidated as the inhabitants of the town, with the wood of the walls beginning to crumble underneath his palm as he crept around the corner. "I'm in no mood for games. If you're going to kill me, just do it."

His voice echoed and he finally consigned to the place being empty, straightening his back and normalising his pace. He took a still burning torch from the wall, which told him that whoever was here had left recently, which only created more questions than answers.

Holding it high enough not to singe anything he started to rifle through the scattered parchments on the desk of what he presumed was the 'head' of the town, eventually curving his fingers over a scroll and lifting it to his face, holding it at the top and letting it unroll.

"For the attention of King Varian Wrynn, of the Alliance.

We, the Forsaken of Brill, hereby inform you of our formal surrender.

All buildings, lands and possessions still in Brill by the time your troops arrive are bequeathedto the Alliance with immediate effect.

The Dark Lady has ignored our pleas, and we have no weapons. We will be long gone by the time you read this.

In good Faith."

Varian's eyebrow rose more as he read it, eventually finding the nearest sconce and putting the torch in it, reading the missive again. "There's no one out there Varian…what's that?"

Varian was trying not to grin in absolute glee as he handed the parchment to her. "They've surrendered. That's why there's no one here. Idiots finally realised how stupid it would be to try and stop us getting to the capital."

Light footsteps behind him told him Adil had joined them, and his reaction pretty much mirrored the King's as Varian explained what had transpired. "So there was no need to bring our men? I'll admit, this is a better outcome than we could've anticipated."

Jaina didn't look so sure. "We've run them out of their homes. We can't celebrate that." Varian snatched the surrender declaration from her, rolling it back up and putting it in the pouch on his belt.

"We can celebrate not spilling a drop of our men's blood and still doing what we came here to do."

He clapped Adil's shoulder, giving it an affectionate squeeze. "Come, let's inform the troop of our good fortune. Tonight they can rest, and tomorrow we start for the capital."