Strands of Fate Chapter 3: Enemies in the Darkness (Open RP)

[Theotaz]

The past few days had been feverish with activity. Guild warbands training at Grom'gol, and Stonnard. Martial practice. Theo had everyone in the house for just a short while.

Serim was working as a scout for guild forces in Stonnard. The girl was growing up fast and had taken on a fair share of Alliance raiders around Grom'gol. Her timely alert had led to the shattering of a foray of a No Mercy Mafia assault on Grom'gol the day before. She had swung into action against a what appeared to be a leading fighter of No Mercy. Of course all that had happened is she had really just gotten his attention and refused to stay down. She was absolutely furious that her best shots seemed to have barely scratched his armor, but scratch it she had. That he'd actually saluted her was amazing. Could things be changing at No Mercy? Could some of them be developing a sense of honor? It would have to be looked into.

Khelioshram had reported in from her own investigations. She had not found the source of the poisons in the shell recovered from the attempt on Aitana, but had traced the origin of the shell used. A certain Gnomish merchant associated with the Dark Iron Dwarves. That merchant wouldn't be selling anything more to anyone. She had recovered several boxes of identical rounds for proof if there was any question of her actions. The Lady Nyx had made it known she wanted documentation. Khelio reported that the shells had been purchased by a customer that would not reveal his name, and who remained obscured under a deep hood.

Khelio had given the Gnome mercy after questioning and had then proceeded to tear the Gnomes mechno-strider apart. Theotaz looked over the recovered parts for a moment, picked out three items, and then went to work on the modules. In a few moments he was able to project an image of the gnome's customer on the screen of his personal crystal. Dulucre passed over a prepared enchanted parchment and with a few short incantations and an invocation of the spirit of duplication, the mighty Xerox, had taken the image on the crystal and transferred it to the parchment. The image showed blurry spots here and there and was sepia toned instead of in color though there were hints of color in the image. It would have to do.

Theo gave Khelio her next assignment. The first part of the mission was the obvious. Find the one in the image or his associates. The second part was to surreptitiously contact the Alliances forces under the Night Elf Commander Leikos and establish a liaison with him. Dulucre quickly spelled another scroll and duplicated the image. Theo quickly put down a synopsis of his findings. Theo took a copy of the report along with a copy of the image scroll and sealed them in a dispatch tube. He burned his mark into the wax seal and handed it to Khelioshram with instructions to deliver to the Alliance commander Leikos, answer any questions he had, and report back. Khelio nodded her affirmation to the orders and quietly slipped out.

Theotaz asked Dulucre to prepare several copies of the scroll while he reported to Warburn, Aitana, and the Lady Nyx. There would be some who would be unhappy with what he had found, but at this point he was utterly certain that the Al'shar had nothing to do with the assassination attempt. He was also certain that Alliance and Horde were being manipulated into fighting these constant small battles to no purpose. He knew he would have to answer to the guild leadership about deciding to share his findings with the Alliance. Leikos had proven himself an honorable being. Maybe some of what was happening could be defused before it all went beyond any hope of containment. Exiting the house hall, he made for the guild hall.

[Tasera]

((Ye olde time placeholder))

[Leikos Darkwood]

The day was calm and quiet. It was often this way after a battle. Leikos and Tindr had spent the night reviewing the scout reports and going over tactical information. They studied every piece of information, meticulously, in an attempt to understand what had stirred Nyx into their current aggressive movements.

“By Elune, nothing here can even give us a glimpse of what is going on. If it were any other group of Horde, I would not be so concerned with the ‘Why’. Why are they suddenly in an attack posture?”

Tindr leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes, “I don’t know, Commander. It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Leikos let a paper fall from his hand on to the wooden table and grumbled, “Let’s step away for a time and attempt to clear our minds.”

“You are not going to take me fishing again, are you?” Tindr grinned as Leikos shot him a glare.

The two left the Al’shar Eastern Headquarters and headed for the Blue Recluse, in the mage district of Stormwind. As they strolled over they continued their discussion.

“There is a great deal abuzz. The assault on Westguard was an unprovoked attack. Then there are the threats against the Alliance regions due to Wrynn’s actions. And last nights events are even more cause for concern. It all points to a new Horde offensive.” Tindr stated plainly.

Leikos stroked his beard, “We are in a very precarious situation. Your analysis of the situation seems fitting but I cannot help but feel there is something else we are not seeing. Everything is too conveniently placed. The Nyxians are not war mongrels. They have displayed their desire for a more peaceful path before. Warburn and Aitana are wise and far from abrasive in their decision making.”

“I don’t know why you are so kind with your words towards them, Commander,” Tindr shook his head, “You seem to forget that these are the same people that held you captive and attempted to deceive us with a forged Artifact.”

Leikos stopped and turned to Tindr, “That may be true but they have also shown great honor upon the battlefield and a willingness to work towards a common goal.”

The two resumed their walk towards the Blue Recluse.

As they reached the last one hundred paces they could see a crowd gathering for the midday meal. They hastened their pace.

“Tindr, I feel as though we are in the path of a dark storm we cannot avoid.”

Tindr looked at Leikos and smirked, “It is good then that you are back at the helm. And for the record, the only storm you need to worry about is the one I’m going to become if I have to wait long for a tankard of burnwine.”

The two old friends chuckled for a moment and proceeded into the tavern.

[Theotaz]

She looked at the mirror. Her own blue eyes stared back at her. The same blue as the warchiefs. Now she knew why.

Four years ago when she had first taken service with the horde Thrall himself promised he would find her family. He would find out what tribe had claim to her. A week ago he had sent a message to her. He had news. He told her to meet him in Outland. They had meet in Shatterath city, and rode south. There at the edge of a wood inhabited by Spiders and Basilisks he had pointed to the ruins of a small hamlet. Ogres were camped in what had obviously once been a thriving town. They had found a spot awy from the ogres beside a small ancestor shrine set away from the town beside a small lake. He had revealed that her tribe had been known as the "Silver Basilisks" allied and kin to the Whitte WOlves, and that they had been utterly wiped out just before the closing of the Dark Portal at the end of the last war but for one orphaned survivor.. Her.

She'd returned to Orgrimaar and the only home she knew now. The House of Theotaz. Theotaz himself had been home when she returned and had with his usuall awaeness had noticed her distress. He had been patient. Had served her food, and brought her wine. Everyone in the household had trooped through over the next couple hours while she had sat quietly coming to terms with what she had learned. In the early hours of the evening she had finally revealed to him what had happened. He had done the one thing she could not object to. He had put his long arms around her and had pulled her close. Cradling her in his arms. The tears had not come, but the pain had been there none the less.

She didn't recall going to bed, but found herself at morning light in her own chamber. Her armor and gear on stands or racked. Fresh clothing had been laid out for her. On the pile of fresh clothing a note had been left.

Khelio:
Don't come down untill you are ready. I need to send you out on a mission. There has been an attempt on Lady Aitana's life. Under the clothing is a box. In it a shell. The shell is a gnomish engineering pattern. The body of the shell is Dark Iron. I belive
we both know who you need to talk to. The flightmaster at Throium Point will be expecting you. Do Not Handle the shell. The poison in it is phenominally deadly. See you at breakfast.

Theotaz

Khelio dressed herself. The shell sat in the box that held it gleaming dully. She examined it. Few if any tool marks marred its surface. She recalled what Theo had told her the day of the attempt. But it was not of Gnomish manufacture. The casing of the round was obviously dark iron from a first smelting. a very brittle metal that would shatter into pieces with a firm blow. A good choice for this kind of weapon. She knew of the gnomish merchant that Theo had obviously considered a starting point. The little thieving runt had been dealing merchendise to the Dark Iron Dwarves for years. She didn't recall his name but that was of no importance. He would answer her questions. He would answer for his acts.

She mused for a moment when a object on the table caught her eye. A splash of color. Blue, and silver. It had not been there yesterday. She picked it up. It fell open to reveal a banner. A Blue field with a si;ver Basilisk rampant apon it. She looked at the stiching. Svalina's work. recognition erupted in her mind.

Khelioshram felt the single tear start at the corner of her eye. She looked up into the mirror. She watched the tear slowly slide down over the curve of her cheek flowing to stop and hang from the line of her jaw. she lifted a hand to brush it away with a finger tip. It was all she had time for was the one single tear. One tear for the dead, the dieing, the crippled and maimed, the unborn, the gone. She wispered to the wind "Lok'tar" A final farwell to all those she had never known. All of her kin, all of her tribe now long gone. The spirits of her ancestors crowded close. Their words like the scent of wood smoke on the breeze. the words formed in her head, not her own thoughts.

"We died for honors sake. We died because we stood with the father of Thrall. Honor our act. The son of Durtan needs your skills still.
remember us by honoring what we set in motion so very long ago."
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days later after returning from Throim Point and making her report to Theotaz, Khelio had worked her way carefully into Stormwind. Her old contact at the Ravenholt had known what she needed. He had insisted on going with her into Stormwind. They were seated in the Blue Recluse. Khelio dared not speak in this place. She did not speak the alliance common language and had so far managed to cover the lack by appearing to be a mute. She appeared to anyone looking on as a perfectly normal looking human female, a mage by her cloathing. No one had noticed the incongruity of a mage that could not speak. They'd been cruising bars and taverns in Stormwind for the last 2 days and the strain of maintaining the disguise was starting to tell.

Her companion from Ravenholt nudged her and nodded toward the door. Leikos walked in with... Tindr. For just a moment she considered going for her knives. The commander was a known factor, this Tindr though.. she had heard nothing good of. Still, the mission called, and she very much wanted to find the ones responsible for this situation. She pulled her cloaks hood up about her head and carefully eased over to thier table. the Ravenholt assasin walked ahead of her to the table where the two allliance sat.

"Commander Liekos?" he inquired. "I am he." he replied. "this young lady has something of interest to you. The Ravenholter pointed to one of the more shadowed boths at the back of the Tavern. "I might suggest that speaking with her away from the crowd would be a very very good idea.". Khelio held the dispatch tube out to Leikos. The seals of House Theotaz apon it. She drew her daggers out carefully and laid them on the table. "The Lady say you might recall these. She carries messages for you. I leave her in your care."


(orb of deception in effect)

[Leikos Darkwood]

Leikos looked curiously at the rouge, then at the blades upon the table. One of them was of Sin'dorei design, folded, serrated, and obviously wickedly sharp. He recognized it immediately. He shot a fierce gaze into the dark corner where the figure awaited. Icy blue eyes stared back at him. It was her...

Leikos turned to Tindr. His old friend had seen the change in his mood and had already stood and prepared to draw his mace. Leikos shook his head slightly. A scene here would end with the death of the rogue and Leikos needed to know why a member of Nyx had sought him out in such a way. Leikos stood and beckoned the rogue over to him. She proceeded, cautiously, to the duo.

Leikos grabbed the daggers from the table and tucked them into his belt, "Your being here suggest that you are either a fool or that you have some sort of message. Nevertheless, remember that we are not on Fray Island. If you wish to live, you will do as I say."

Leikos slid his hand under his right shoulder piece and closed his eyes for a moment. A flash of light appeared from the brown tattoo upon it. He opened his eyes and nodded at Tindr. The three left the Tavern and headed outside. As they exited the tavern, the rogue looked around. Two figures, mounted on sabers, were outside, weapons in hand. They were wearing tabards of the Al'shar.

The rogue looked to Leikos and spoke, revealing a female Orcish voice, “Where are we going.”

“To a more private place,” replied Leikos, “Then you will tell me why you have come and then I will decide where we go from there.”

[Tindr Thornleif]

Tindr rode through Auberdine on his way to catch a boat back to the Eastern Kingdom when he noticed a sluggish feeling in his muscles. He had not rested since the battle. Unlike the living, Death Knights only needed rest to regenerate their bodies rather than actual sleep. Dreams were also non-existant for Tindr.

However, now was one of those few times that Tindr could tell he needed rest.

As he headed inside the Inn, Tindr noted a familiar face sitting quietly in the upper room. It was the little lady Arielah, a cousin to Ambassador Asarelah of Nyx. He had met her at one of the diplomatic meetings he had attended months ago as she had done much of the translating during the meeting.

After greeting her, he took a seat beside her, listening to her speak of how she had come there seeking a quiet place to rest as much had been happening that concerned her greatly.



Arielah began to explain about a failed assassination attempt at Lady Aitana's life, one of the Elders and Oracle's of Nyx, outside of Shattrath.

Tindr was immediately stunned. Not because of hearing about the plot but rather hearing that the assassin was wearing an Al'shar tabard. The body had been searched yet nothing else identifying him to the Al'shar was found.

Who was this attacker? Had it been one of the new recruits? Had one of their own who had yet to report in from their mission succumbed to a fateful death and the tabard stolen? Had they been infiltrated?

A multitude of questions quickly flooded Tindr's mind but unfortunately as he questioned the lady further, there was not much else to tell as they had left the body of the attacker for dead. None the less, the Al'shar had been compromised. An investigation into the matter was urgent.

Lady Arielah continued, explaining that not seemed right within the Nyx banner. There were several members of Nyx not acting quite themselves. Even her cousin, Asarelah, did not believe that such an assassination attempt was ordered or even done by the Al'shar and was aggressively agitated that the Nyxians would not listen to her which was unlike her normal behavior.

Ambassador Leothiel was also seemingly affected by something. His judgement seemed clouded and he had been striking out in an unauthorized attempt to provoke war through multiple means. He had even gone as far to lead the assault on the Westguard Keep and was the one who had stolen the Kingship documents.

Tindr stroked his chin in thought. He was vaguely familiar with who Leothiel was and what he looked like as he had encountered him in the past. He began to wonder if this blood elf was wreckless enough to continue carrying the documents with him and he began to plot.



After his meeting with Arielah, Tindr quickly sent word to Keeper Andenel and Commander Leikos with the urgency to meet him at the Stormwind Headquarters. Lady Rheynis also accompanied them to the meeting and shortly after arriving, Tindr didnt wait for them to get comfortable before he was already explaining what he had heard.



It was not long into their discussions that Baast had arrived. She seemed worried and needed to speak. The group was quickly distracted from their focus on the consquences of the assassination attempt when Baast suddenly knelt and announced she could no longer take up arms against the horde. She had taken pity upon them. Keeper Andenel tried to expalin that each had a path to follow and even the Commander tried to explain the need that not all horde can be pitied.

“So, if one were to hold a dagger to your lover's throat in an attempt to kill her, you would allow it because you pity the horde?” Tindr stated calmly as he folded his arms and leaned up against the bookshelf, watching and waiting for Baast's response. She looked up at the Death Knight and glared angrily, speaking with an almost hatred in her voice as she responded that she wouldnt hesitate to take the Death Knight's life if he were to lay a hand on her lover.

Tindr grinned as the harsh point he made actually got through to Baast and he knew he could still count on her to fight along side of him against the horde if the need required.
He was satisfied that Baast was going to pick and chose her battles carefully rather than take an aggressive stance towards all horde she encountered. That was all he expected of her.

The meeting had eventually diverted back to the original discussion. The group began to theorize that the assassination attempt on Lady Aitana's life could be part of the motive behind Nyx's recent aggressive movements. But how to be certain was difficult to know.

What is known is that the The Al'shar had been compromised. An Al'shar tabard had been found on the assassin's body. The consquences were grave. But to what extent had they been compromised was unknown.

Before the group dispersed, Commander Leikos asked Lady Rheynis to take part in the investigation in which she quickly offered her limited ability in orb scrying to aid. Leikos also requested Tindr to head to the Feathermoon Stronghold to see to additional tasks in the investigation. It would take time to find out to what extent they had been breached.

[Tindr Thornleif]

Two Days had Passed

The early morning sunlight streamed annoyingly into the room where Tindr had spent the entire evening with Leikos reviewing reports, maps, and discussing tactical maneuvers. It didnt make sense to him why else the Nyxians were on the war move again beyond what he had heard.

Leikos let a paper fall from his hand on to the wooden table and grumbled, “Let’s step away for a time and attempt to clear our minds.”

“You are not going to take me fishing again, are you?” Tindr grinned as Leikos shot him a glare.

Tindr was thankful as they headed towards the Blue Recluse instead. Although he longed for a more flavorful burnwine, a drink that a Death Knight could actually taste and enjoy, a tankard of ale would suffice.

Almost as soon as they arrived at the tavern they were confronted by an unfamiliar man who immediately addressed Leikos by name. Tindr watch him with distrust, ready to strike at the man if he even flinched any closer to his friend.

But Leikos shook his head in a silent request to stand down.

The rogue explained that the lady he had escorted had something of importance to speak with the Commander about. Tindr glances towards the lady as he listened to the conversation, watching every moment of hers carefully. He was curious to know how Leikos knew of this lady. He struggled against his raw urge to quickly grab the nyxian lady and interogate her himself.

A quick nod from the Commander and Tindr found himself following Leikos out the door with an eager curiosity to learn more about this lady as they headed off to a more private place to talk.

[Theotaz]

Khelio walked with the Night Elves as her escort. Pausing for a moment, she refreshed the Orb of Deception. Theotaz's orders had been quite clear…."No incidents with the locals. Make contact, give them the report and answer factually any questions they might have."

Eventually the group arrived at their destination. Once inside, Khelio released the orb, again appearing as her true self. She turned to Leikos. "Commander Leikos. My name is Kheliosrham, if on the off chance you do not recall it. I came disguised only to allow contact with you; and in such a way as to not involve the civil population of the capital. In here is a document from Theotaz, Death Knight of Nyx. House Theotaz has taken the duty of investigating the attempt on the Lady Aitana. Sir Theotaz deduced that the villain was not one of yours; unfortunately not all of our leadership could be convinced. There have been...incidents because of this." She leaned forward, her arms upon the table.

"We of Nyx do not shy from a fight, but we fight for OUR reasons. We have been manipulated and we are VERY angry. My house lord sent me with my agreement to laison, and to provide what ever assistance I could. Understand that I came willingly, knowing that you yourself would have good reason not to allow me to leave alive. But... we have seen that you are a being that walks the honor road, and this risk was considered acceptable... I suspect that you do not like being manipulated any more then we."

She took a nearby chair and sat upon it. Her bright blue eyes locked to Leikos. "Read the dispatch please. Until you do, you will not have the full picture."

She broke the seals on the case. First she pulled out the scroll with the image. She set stones upon the corners, and pointed at it. "The shells used by the assassin were designed to shatter on contact with any metal faced object; such as armor. The construction is gnomish, but the materials are from the dark iron dwarves. We do not think them to be directly involved. They have never been subtle, it simply doesn't fit them.

"I was able to trace their manufacture to a certain Gnomish merchant in the Burning Steeps that has been dealing to the Dark Iron dwarves for years." She arced an eye brow and her moth formed a grim smile "He won’t be selling anything to anyone. There wasn't much I was able to extract from him, but fortunately the memory modules of his highly modified mechno-strider were able to provide an image." She pointed at the image on the parchment. "The Enemy" she said dramatically. "At the moment that’s all we have... and I might add that I am the primary field agent in the matter, with Sir Theotaz as my Control."

She pulled a second document from the case, along with a small box. She slid the box across to Leikos. "Handle that very carefully. We have been unable to neutralize the poison, though not from lack of effort. It is utterly deadly. If you were to strike that shell with a hammer everyone with 30 yards would be dieing before their body hit the floor. The first effect is paralysis, the secondary effect is hemorrhagic. Any exposed soft tissue. You literally drown in your own blood. Cataracts form on the eyes within seconds.

This particularly foul liquid was developed by Gul'dan's minions years ago. I know of it particularly well. It was what was used to destroy my tribe, of which I am the very last of. You might surmise that I am very interested in finding out where this came from, and putting and end to those that would even consider using such a horrific weapon. We of Nyx were very lucky. Had that shell struck true we would have lost the entirety of our leadership."

She slid the last document across to Leikos. "That is Sir Theotaz's report of his finding to the Guild leadership. You now know as much as we do." She folded her hand in front of her again. "Commander Leikos, I do not ask any forgiveness of you for the desecration I personally preformed upon your flesh. Our guilds were at war. We are not at war now nor should we be."

Her head bowed for a moment; she looked up again. "Who ever these.. people.. are they are connected with those of Gul'dans people that destroyed my tribe. They are the same people responsible for the corruption of the orcs of Draenor, now Outland - the same people that brought the orcs to THIS world in service to the Burning Legion. They turned my people as warrior slaves, shattered my home world, and invaded this one. I will see their blood flow upon the ground. I will see them utterly destroyed root and branch!!" Khelio gasped for breath, tears flowing down her cheeks, and a look of utter misery on her face.

"They murdered my tribe and I will avenge them. If you would see peace between our peoples then help me, and allow us to help you. If Jaina Proudmore and Thrall can work for peace in Duratar, then can we do any less?"

She composed herself. "If you can not extend trust so that we can work together at least grant me the respect of returning my knives and escort me to the city gates. Bear in mind that had I been sent to assassinate you my lord, you would already be dead. And if I had chosen to use that shell.........." She left the rest unspoken, and simply waved her hand about the hall her meaning obvious.

She pointed to the image. "They are my enemy of old. Theotaz does not know that this same poison killed my tribe. I have not told him. I ask that you keep it in confidence." She pointed at Leikos. "I am not Gororna. I am far more dangerous then she ever was. Speak with your people. I wait at your convenience. Oh, and one last item," She turned her head about looking all present in the eye. “I asked for this mission." She held her hand out toward Tindr. "My knives please!!"

[Asarelah]

Asarelah paced the floor, but her pacing did not serve to help her make sense of the puzzles buzzing through her head, like hungry mosquitoes swarming revelers at the Dark Moon Faire.

Glancing down at the dispatch that had just arrived from Uruwashi, she was further frustrated that the Rogue reported his spy network could find no information about the self proclaimed Ranger - Falelore; who had appeared to Asarelah - not once, but twice - uttering dire warnings of impending doom. IF the youngling’s whispers were to be believed, then the darkness she forewarned of was creeping up on all Horde and Alliance equally - not just the House of Al’shar, and the Nyxian Tribe.

“If Uru and his team of highly skilled Rogues can find nothing on this youngling, then perhaps she IS just a figment of my fertile imagination!!” Lah muttered to herself, still pacing. “Thank the Gods Aitana saw her too….. both times she appeared to me. ”

Remembering their first meeting, Falelore had appeared in the gardens, outside the city gates of Silvermoon, and asked for audience with Asarelah; while Lah was busy conducting an interview of an aspirant to Tribe Nyx. The Ranger had waited patiently while Lah concluded her business, had issued warnings to Asarelah – that sinister forces were at work, and that the Al’shar were not responsible - and then vanished in to the night.

Oracle Aitana had seen the Ranger, but had not stayed to hear what Falelore had to say; and had been quite put out with her Nightwarder for not sending word immediately that there was more afoot than just casual interest of a passing stranger, watching the Nyxian adoption ceremony.

Then, that Owl…. A small owl had swooped overhead and dropped a rolled scroll at Asarelah’s feet. In Thalassian, that looked like it was written by a child, the message simply read: “I need your help and believe you need mine. I would like to arrange another meeting. ~D

“D…” Asarelah had puzzled… “Who on earth was D? Perhaps this has something to do with that Falelore person….” Shaking her head, she had held up her wrist for the owl, and had hastily scribbled agreement to meet on the following evening, on the back of the strange note, which she then returned to the owl’s carrier tube. Raising her hand overhead, she had gently flipped her wrist, sending the owl back from whence it had come.

“Chaliyphah!! To me!!” her voice rang out with a hint of anger in it. Puzzles were not something she enjoyed, and this one was really beginning to crack her jaws.

Chali appeared, out of breath, racing to answer the shouted summons. “Mistress, you rang?” she panted, dust flying as she came to an abrupt halt in front of Asarelah.

“Yes, and quit showering me with dust!!” Lah snapped. Brushing herself off, she turned anger filled eyes, that were devoid of her characteristic loving warmth, toward the young Druid. “Run your fastest, find the Oracle. Tell her I meet with a person of interest, and suspect it may have something to do with that Falelore whom no one believes me about. GO!!”

Then the meeting…. Aitana had sent word that she would come, and now this Falelore person sat in front of both the Nyxian Oracle and Nightwarder. Asarelah had dismissed the Silvermoon Inn servers, and the three were quite alone in the room.



Asarelah nodded to the young Blood Elf. “Welcome and well met. Do tell us what brings you here. I still have many questions from our last meeting… Oh, and Aitana, she does not speak Orcish very well and had asked at the first meeting that she speak only Thalassian. I will translate.”

“Thrall and King Wrynn are of no help in this and there is something sinister at work.” Falelore flatly stated.” Lah questioned her, but Falelore shook her head. “I don’t know the details, although I suspect that it might be related to the fiasco with the artifact.”

It was unclear what she meant since the destruction of the artifact was not a fiasco for Tribe Nyx, but how was she privy to such information?? While it had not been kept a close secret, it was not common knowledge among the Horde.

“How do you know of the existence of an Artifact, much less a “fiasco” surrounding it?” Lah asked sharply.

The Night Elf’s response was somewhat cryptic. “I am a Watcher.”

“A what?” Asarelah lifted her brow questioningly.

Falelore explained that she was a scout in a Thalassian uniform. She said, "It is my task to observe things, such as the attack in the Blasted Lands."

“Oh? And what do you think you know of that?” Lah questioned her further.

“I am patient and not skittish." The youngling raised her head in pride. “I am part of a network of Rangers. As I said, I am a Watcher. I know things.”

Trying to push for more information, Asarelah bit her lip in frustration. This was much the same conversation they had already had in the garden, but at least this time Aitana was here to witness it first hand. All she could get Falelore to do was hint that she might be able to reveal more to them later, but she still refused to reveal her sources or any further direct knowledge - just vague suggestions of threats, and impending doom.

Finally, Asarelah gave up pushing. Falelore seemed to relax, and surprised the Nightwarder by her next statement. “I need your help and believe you need mine,” the Ranger began. “Al’shar is not behind this seeming aggression.”

“What do you call an attempt on my life then?” Aitana demanded to know.

“I have already sworn to you that Al’shar would not do this, Aitana!” Asarelah sputtered her indignation.

Falelore raised her brow in puzzlement. “Tell me more of this attempt. I know not of this. But what ever occurred, it was not at the hands of the Al’shar.”

Asarelah described the Hunter and told about what happened – and about the Al'shar tabard which the would-be dwarf assassin was wearing. “There was also a blade found, that was quite curious...”

Nodding, the Oracle opened her bags and unwrapped the recovered weapon for Falelore to examine. Asarelah looked on in surprise as Aitana slid the blade across the table, toward the Ranger. “Have a care, the poison can not be neutralized, and we understand it is quite deadly.”

After discussing the weapon at length, the Ranger suggested that the blade was for nothing more than confusion - and that nothing further could be served this night. Taking her leave, she said farewell, and once again vanished in to the shadows.

The Nightwarder could only shake her head, as the Ranger disappeared. “Well, I told you. Only more questions than answers. And she never did say what “help” she seeks. But at least I can prove now that I was not dreaming!”

Aitana seemed lost in thought. “I did not say that I did not believe you, Nightwarder. But I will tell you this. That Ranger is nothing more than an Alliance spy, possibly a double agent of some form. And I just don’t know what to make of her, OR her motivations!!”

Snapping her thoughts back to the present, and fuming that she was only discovering more questions on top of the first ones already besetting her, Asarelah crushed the note from Uru in her hand. “Just who the hell is this Falelore? What is her part in all this… And more importantly, WHO does she serve?”

[Tasera]

Out ,close to Silvermoon, Tasera remained at her home. Things, events have been building up, but with the assassination attempt still fresh in her mind, the troll decided to seclude herself to her tiny keep. Her blood still boiled just thinking about what the alliance attempted to do to the alliance, or what she believed the alliance wished to do. So as she stayed around the woods, hunting for savory meals, the other two female trolls were the only one who kept Tasera up to date as she huddled in her home, still trying to recover from this strange headaches that flared and weakened her, and just not to blow up in a fit of rage at the sight of alliance.

Coming outside, as Tasera prepared a fresh kill to feed to all of her carnivorous pets, Shidomae looked over her, the aloof troll smiled a bit as she watched every movement of Tasera’s. “Yous look tense today”

“Yous say I be lookin’ tense everyday, leave me be, everytime yous open your mouth you annoy me!” Tasera growled, and chopped the blade down harder then the last swing.

“There must be sumptin ya like about me,” Shidomae quipped, “Or othawise yous would left me in da wilderness an not let me stay at your home!” Shidomae giggled.

“I let you here ta stay outta a favor ta your family, dat is all. “ Tasera growled, keeping her eyes focused on the food for her pets.

Shidomae managed to laugh, which irritated Tasera more knowing that her insults were not getting through to the female troll she clearly disliked, “What ever you s jus’ need ta lighten up me tinks, take a breather, relax. You should be takein' some advice from dat Warburn troll, he knows how ta live.” She smiled sheepishly as Tasera looked up, glaring and gritting her teeth.

Shidomae knew when it was time to retreat and bowed slightly, “I believe it’s time for me to commune wit da elements, I be off to da Barrens, have fun!” the laid back troll was quick to depart before Tasera would start throwing things at her. In her stead though, another figure arrived, Akeagoro, the other female troll under her house. Tasera at least had far more respect for her then Shidomae, so the sight of her, actually calmed Tasera, just a little bit.

“Yous got news sistah?” Tasera asked as she pulled the fresh chops into a large bucket, only to work on another batch of fresh meet to feed to her hungry pets.

Akeagoro approached and kneeled, formal as always, “Lady Tasera, things have been moving quickly since you have decided to rest back here at your home after the battle. I am not sure if you are needed or not, I believe the leaders are trying to keep a lot of this as hushed as possible my Lady.”

Tasera blinked, trying to wrap her head over why Akea always tried to address her so formally, she thought for a moment, then shook her head, “Listen, I don’t know how yous got any information, but don’ be doin’ dat! You be getting’ yourself in trouble, and you are unda my house at da moment, so anything you do wrong will all fall onto my shoulders.”


Akeagoro smiled, the way she spoke, it had no resemblence to any troll, infact her speaking patterns and voice mostly resembled elvish, “My lady, I promise you, any information I gather, from with in Nyx, or from the alliance, I will not get caught, I am a death knight, you forget..we have ways.”

Tasera grumbled and sighed, “Come back when yous have information, that my ears are allowed ta hear, “ Tasera waved her hand at the Death Knight. Akeagoro sighed, and nodded, standing and returning back into Tasera’s home to do, what ever it is death knights do. Death Knights, over all really confused her.