World of Warcraft®

Sadie had been spending much of her time in Dalaran of late. It took three solid days when she'd first arrived to finally pinpoint the elusive red mage, Alieth Taldir, within the city. The rest of her time was spent observing her from afar whenever she had the chance and almost always while in public locations to try and avoid raising suspicions.

Good old fashioned stalking. Based on the rumors of her magical expertise tracking or tracing spells were likely to draw her attention, as might the over usage of illusion craft, so it was back to the basics. Besides, it was good to be back and spend some quality time with old friends she seldom visits.

She'd tailed Taldir at a distance. When the woman had turned into the merchant district Sadie decided to back off for a bit and enjoy some exquisitely brewed exotic coffee in the corner cafe, taking a seat with a perfect view just to keep an eye on that street corner.

Two sips later an explosion rattled the glasses in the cafe. The street billowed with smoke, dust, and debris. Sadie's heart fluttered with emotion at the memories this drew to the surface. Her impulse was to run into the fray to lend her aid. Instead she set down her cup and forced herself to hesitate a moment and watch. If this were somehow Taldir's doing then she ought to be captured while trying to flee.

The moment quickly passed and when no one emerged she pushed her chair back and made to stand, blinking forward just outside the door. A few more explosions popped in the distance. Several of the local merchants were old friends and local contacts, one of which worked part time at an apothecary. Sharpening her focus, Sadie blinked rapidly to the street corner, drew up her permafrost ice-shield and ran into the cloud of dust and smoke, intent on helping any survivors she came across.

An appropriately adjusted arcane spell helped her cut through the haze as she moved.

Alieth had returned to her apartments in the Violet Citadel after regaining her bearings, cleaning the dirt and blood off, bandaging her scratched-up legs and discarding her shredded robes for fresher ones. But as she left the scene, she spotted the flash of blue in the dust and smoke. The blue...and the white laurels. She knew at once what it meant...Noikona had convinced Genevra that assassination was the best bet, and this one had been sent to ensure the deed was done.

Not even Dalaran was safe anymore. Not after this. But where should she go now? With the war on Draenor quieting a bit, word had spread that Khadgar, the sentimental old fool, was sniffing around back on Azeroth again - for what, no one had any idea, only that he thought this fight was not over. In this, at least, Alieth agreed - the war did seem to be never-ending. It had been since Outland, at the very least.

Perhaps it is time to go to ground for a period, she mused. To wait out the coming storm...because I know there is one.

It went against the grain, she knew, but perhaps it would be an idea to give the lemmings what they wanted. Noikona had hoped for her death...and that is exactly what she would get. Succumbing to unforeseen complications due to her injuries, perhaps. She had enough allies in Dalaran, both among the city guard and in the ranks of the mages, to ensure that the lie would spread. In the meantime, she would have to go into hiding, and she would need to gather more power to her...and with the war winding down, Draenor seemed the best place to do it. She would need to alter her appearance, perhaps, in case Zherron's watchdogs still prowled the place...not to mention Ketiron and his ilk.

She nodded to herself, smiling, then summoned a steward to take a note to her allies, to spread the word of her "death".

The Red Mage may die today, she thought to herself, but death is only the beginning...

((Redacted.))

((Redacted.))

Noikona attempted to keep herself busy around the Westbrook Garrison, but her thoughts kept on returning to the previous night’s events. Every time she thought of it, her throat began to ache and her nose burned. No matter how she tried to rationalize it, she had used Genevra.

Noikona had wanted Alieth destroyed for some time, but she was blocked. She was blocked by her word to Genevra, she had promised she would not kill her, only apprehend her so she could be brought to justice. It had infuriated her that she could not snuff out that which had no right to exist.

Her tactical mind instinctively devised a plan. Prodded by her evil nature she put it into action. She had to leverage Genevra’s worst enemy, her own emotions. It started small; whenever she conversed with Genevra she made it a point to remind the Matron of the dark things Alieth had done. How she threatened her family, coerced one of her own order to change sides and burned down her home. In the meantime Noikona had started corresponding with Alieth via letters, taunting her and even trying to gain more information by seeking out her sister. Noikona was pleased that Alieth had replied to her mail. The first response had not been in writing but a physical attack, one that nearly cost Noikona her own existence as she was still forbidden to take Alieth’s life. Noikona had held back key information from Genevra, the warning from Alieth. Alieth had promised death to any one of Genevra’s order who may cross her path. Noikona waited a few days, pausing to see if Alieth would hold true to her word. When it seemed quiet, Noikona taunted Alieth again, using a plan not of her own, but one that was sure to get a response. She instructed a former student to defame Alieth. The response came. Noikona knew she had stepped over the line, but she needed to be free of her word. When next she saw Genevra, she received what she desired, permission to destroy Alieth. The bomb had been constructed weeks ago; she had just been waiting to be released. The hate mail was the means to deploy it. It had always been the plan. She knew Alieth would be eager to see what detestable words Noikona had in store for her. The bait was set. The bomb was deployed.

Noikona’s infant conscious raged now. In the end after the injury and damage reports came back, Noikona had the audacity to tell Genevra she was just doing what she was told. She really was sorry, but those words were so foreign. Again she tried to rationalize it. Alieth was dead, people were safe now. At least the people she felt were close.