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Senjhylh blew another smoke ring and shrugged. "Once-secret admirer for sure. He's lookin' to hit big time. Not sure if he'll be up for the grand ball though."

Gentyl snorted, but she was thinking about something else that intrigued her. "He was urinating in the cathedral, huh? I didn't even think rotters had, you know, the equipment."

”I know right? So weird. He probably stole some off a horse or something." She drew deeply on the cigarette and closed her eyes in pleasure. "I never heard his name before, so I can't be of much help for now. I'll try and look him up though, if you want. As long as His Lordship doesn't know I am."

"Mind delivering a message back to him?"

Senjhylh produced a quick quill and parchment. "Absolutely, dear."

"He's welcome to try and kill me, though he probably needs to get in line. If he does, they will bury me in my armor so he can save his money."

Senjhylh jotted it down, mumbling. "... kill me,... in line. ... Booze money..." She scratched something out. "Oh. No. Wrong." Then, she looked up. "Anything else, dear?"

Gentyl handed he a small sack of gold. "Give him seventy gold to buy a new shroud. He's going to need it. The other twenty is a tip."

Senjhylh nodded and mumbled, "S'more...seventy gold shroud." She smiled and pocketed th epouch without counting it. "Ah well, thank you kindly. I was getting a little low on tobacco."

Gentyl looked around the square again. "And, if we really do have something of his, tell him find my missing paladin and we'll trade. I want her safe, sane and in one piece."

Senjhylh seemed genuinely surprised. "Oh... I haven't been in touch in a while, eh? Your girl's still missing eh?"

"No. We got Faithe back. Harmyone is gone now." She looked to the side and spit on the ground. Someone had to know where she was.

She quickly noted something... in a booklet this time. "Harmyone was abducted around the same time...?"

"No, she's just been missing a few weeks. I don't know that they have her, but I suspect they do."

"Well, there's certainly a pattern to be considered there."

"Aye, Black Hand and Modas are sending mesages to me. It would be consistent."

The elf put away her booklet. "If you don't mind me looking into some of it, I'd make sure I don't walk on eggshells. Plus, having some AAMS... friends, helps.

"Not at all. If you find anything out, I will pay you."

She mounted her sabercat and waved it off. "Consider it a gift, for what it's worth. I'm not even sure what I'll be able to find out, if anything."

"I always pay my debts," Gentyl said. "Modas should remember that. I owe Modas and Black Hand, but the debt will be paid soon."

Later that night Senjhylh returned with more news. Once again, she led Gentyl to a secluded area, where assassination would be the normal order of business. Gentyl flinched when a focusing crystal beamed in on her. That usually signaled a Pang attack, but instead, it was a giggling child with a crystal on top of the auction house.

The elf looked up and waved the boy away. "I have response. You'll decide if they're good or bad. First, the official message."

"Tyrxus is dead?'

Senjhylh shook her head.

"Rats!"

"Pay attention though... we were able to figure out a few things after he wrote this letter."
She took out a folded letter and started reading. "You misunderstand. The dress was not for you to wear to your own funeral. It was to wear to the many funerals to come of those you love. I simply wished for what was mine.

"In the end, I have been promised that I would be the one that could end your little mish mash of misfits. It neither pleases me nor causes me angst. However, with your flagrant rudeness in your reply I have now chosen who will be punished. I met her today. She will see me soon."

She looked up from the letter. "Thanks to Lady A, I was able to learn a few things for you. Tyrexus, admittedly, joined the Modas Il Toralar after being promised to recover what you... guys... apparently hold away from him. He said he first approached you concerning its recovery before making the move. -- But this is not what you're... looking for. Now, to the chase; I can't tell if he's directly involved in it, but he seems to know your friend's whereabouts."

What in the world was this rotter looking for? "I have no idea what he wants."

She shrugged. "About that... he said you knew what he was talking about. I trusted that you did."

"No idea. Can he be bribed to reveal Harmyone's location?"

"Hrm... Lady A tried to make him say it, but he wouldn't. Luckily enough, she seems to be in rather... "good" terms with him. The thing I'm getting to...." Senjhylh sighed and lit another cigarette. "Here it is. He said he'd trade her back would you be to send this... thing he wants, back to him. And let me quote...all is well for now, bu in two nights, it shan't be. Be swift."

What in the world was this rotter looking for? "I have no idea what he wants."

She shrugged. "About that... he said you knew what he was talking about. I trusted that you did."

"No idea. Can he be bribed to reveal Harmyone's location?"

"Hrm... Lady A tried to make him say it, but he wouldn't. Luckily enough, she seems to be in rather... "good" terms with him. The thing I'm getting to...." Senjhylh sighed and lit another cigarette. "Here it is. He said he'd trade her back would you be to send this... thing he wants, back to him. And let me quote...all is well for now, bu in two nights, it shan't be. Be swift."

"I don't know what he wants, but if it's in my power to get it I will."

"And here I was hoping you'd know..." Senjhylh blinked. "Wait. I'm getting worked up? How... strange."

"Can you ask him what he wants?"

Senjhylh took a drag off her rollie and scribbled down a few more notes. "In the meantime... maybe it wouldn't hurt to shake up the ranks a bit? See what's up. Time's running fast, as it seems. My humble suggestion. Anyway, I'll be on my way. The Lady has to know, so she can work somethin' out. I'll keep you in touch."

With that, she doffed her hat a bit and whistled for the sabrecat who had been lounging at the end of the alley.

Genyl laid out the paperwork on the table at the Recluse. She might as well get some of this caught up while she waited for her food and, hopefully, more information from Senjhylh. Supper was plain and filling, roast beef with vegetables and fried apples. the cook had heaped the apples on as he knew they were a favorite of hers and she suspected he had also laid on a few extra slices of roast. He appreciated a woman with an appetite and Gentyl always had a good one. It was a good thing she stayed active or she would have to roll from place to place.

It wasn't the elf, but an old man who approached her later. His clothes were clean, if patched and worn. He gazed at Gentyl for a moment and then bowed.

"Evening, sir. Will you join me?"

He smiled, his faded eyes glittering with a hidden joke. "Thank you, I'd like that."

"I'm drinking tea," Gentyl said, "but be happy to buy you something stronger if you like."

The old man chuckled. "Would certainly be uncomfortable company around here for my kind, and tea would be lovely, thank you, Lady."

She poured another cup of tea and passed it over, then took out a small jeweled dagger and sliced a lemon into four precise wedges."

He reached out for the cup and just held it in his hands for a moment, as if savoring the warmth. "Shall we say some familiar faces. Even yours, as kind as it is now, has been "touched" by my frosty caress a few times."

Gentyl smiled. She had no memory of him touching her, frosty or otherwise. "Indeed?"

He smiled. The hot brew sipped eagerly seemed to give him uncommon pleasure. "However, I know you are a terribly busy woman. I wouldn't think of keeping you away from your duties. Is there anything I can answer for you?

"I'm curious about your frosty touch comment."

His smile almost touched his ears. "I am sure you would be."

"What exactly did you mean? You'll forgive me. I'm a simple woman and tend not to grasp things well at times."

"Clues, my love, just clues. You have known me. For ever more though, I am Tyrexus. This simple farmer's body is just an avatar for me."

Gentyl blinked in astonishment. "And you say I have something you want."

"I doubt very much you have it. But someone from your organization has it. I WILL have it back."

"What is it you seek? If it's in my power to recover it, I will trade it for the girl. None of my men recall taking anything from an undead mage."

He leaned forward urgently, his eyes now mere slits. "Your word. I want your word. No matter whos possession it is in now."

"I said if it is in my power to give it to you, I will. Not all things are in my power."

"It was not an undead mage that they took it from. He was....in a position of authority. A ranking official."

Senjhylh walked in and looked around, then went over to the table where Valtherimas and Haelolin sprawled. She saluted Valtherimas, drawing the farmer's attention from Gentyl. He glared with disgust at the Ocheliad at the other table.

Valtherimas eyed Senjhylh. "Heya. No need to salute, I'm off duty."

Haelolin glanced over at the female and exhaled a plume of smoke through her nostrils.

"Off duty eh?" Senjhylh replied. "Well if you're interested in funny bloodbaths, I just walked into a salty situation in the Slaughtered Lamb Tavern. I thought I was walking into the Recluse."

Gentyl forced her attention back to the old man. "One of my officers did this?"

"It's a wolfhead with two stars on one and one star on the other."

She looked confused. "A Wolf head? Why would we want a wolf head? My men took a ring off a body?"

"Yes. Also I assume, making him the body in the process.'

On the other side of the tavern, Valtherimas bantered with Senjhylh. "Well at least I'm not having to carve my way through some ^&*!@#$s to rescue ye had they let ya scream."

Senjhylh laughed. "You're underestimating me... you hurt my feelings you know!"

"Perhaps you've over estimating yourself kiddo. Not even I can take three Death Knights, I'd have had to drag *!@#$ along with me. We'd kick %^& and smoke cigars."

"Cigars sounds nice! I only got my rollies. Good tobacco though. -- In all seriousness, I can handle myself. Three Death Knights, perhaps not. But one, I can manage. -- This being said, can I offer you guys drinks?"

Haelolin nodded assent to the offer of a drink, but never moved from her habitual posture of leaning back in her chair with her boots propped on the table.

Gentyl drew her attention back to the old man. "Well, we do tend to produce bodies on occasion. However, we aren't in the habit of robbing corpses."

"Unarmed old men under direct truce from Varian himself? That does surprise me." The old man tsked her like she was a child caught with her hand in a cookie jar.

"What are you talking about? I have no dealings with the king. And if you think my men attacked unarmed men under a flag of truce, you have no idea who we are." Gentyl leaned forward on the table. "Modas has no bounds, but we do."

"I have every idea who you are. He held a torn Pia tabard in his hand. And you mistake us. We have boundaries...just no limits. There is a difference"
Gentyl huffed and sat back. "Anyone can plant a tabard to create a crime. I'm sure Modas does it all the time."

He sniffed "Of course. Our tabards we plant so that no one mistakes what we do."

Gentyl leaned forward once more, rubbing her scarred ear. "I'm familiar with Modas and that wretched waste of breath who leads you."

"He has great potential."

"He's a madman and he'll sacrifice every one of you just as easily as if you were a bright, shiny, human paladin."

The old man suddenly laughed. "What did you hope to gain from this. You obviously either don't realize who I am or what I'm capable of or simply just don't care and are "trying" very hard to use me for your own ends."

Valtherimas shifted lightly in his chair catching bits of Gentyl's conversation.

"No, I just have no idea why you think a Pia officer slaughtered unarmed men and stole a ring."

"I never said he was an officer. My father was the official. I only said "pia tabard" however....if you have some officer in mind, I would just love to meet him and maybe have a chat. I would even allow three or four of you to come along...seeing that's how many of you it takes to run me off every time we seem to meet."

"Well, given your fearful leader seems to be harvesting hearts for some kind of sacrifice and has vowed to wipe us out, forgive us if we travel in packs." She paused and looked around the tavern. "I have two officers, both of whom are on restricted duty and have been since we...acquired a guest."

He smiled sweetly, like a grandfather looking upon a favored child, but the effect was chilling. "Ahhh, yes. The Goblin's prize. She fares well I hope...?"

"She's very well and she is not the goblin's prize."

"Of course she isn't, dear," he placated and patted her arm.

Foxria walked in and saluted. "I have patrolled for four days now ... no sign of the Loopy plague, Sepha."

Dear Light. This was not a good time for Foxria to come in. the undead seemed to have some strange fascination with gnomes or perhaps more properly the taste of gnomes.

He smiled at Foxria. "Loopy Plague?"

"Fox, I believe you are cured," Gentyl said, hoping the undead mage inhabiting the old man would not take notice of her.

"Yes, Ma'am .. and I have been walking the streets looking to see if it spread. : No signs at all ... I believe we are out of danger"

"Fox, do you know anything about a ring with stars?"

"No, ma'am ... but I can research if you like."

Gentyl nodded to the old man. "Sir, can you describe it again?"

"Of course. Fox, it is a large silver signet ring. A wolf head in the middle. two small stars to the left of the wolf and a single star on the right. inside the band so you can't see, you will find an emerald. And it will always feel cold."

Foxria made a few notes. "Is it magiced in any way? Does it have a history?"

He looked back at Foxria and Gentyl. "It is, however you will not be able to decipher that. I doubt you know anyone with that ability. Just know that it will be colder than the room around it."

"Right," Fox said with an air of confidence and finished making notes in her little book.

"Does the ring need to be handled in a special way?" Gentyl asked. It wasn't that she was paranoid...yes, she probably was. The plant that had been sent to "heal" Faithe had been found to be harmful. Fox had suffered nightmares for several days after just being in contact for a short time.

"Not at all," he said as if they were discussing turnips.

"If we find it, you will trade the girl, safe, sane and in one piece to us."

He paused as if thinking over each point in his head and muttered, "safe, sane and in one piece." Then he cringed. "I will.....deliver her as whole as is possible."

"And I do mean safe. If she has been harmed, your ring is forfeit should we find it."

Senjhylh wadded up some smoking papers and threw the small ball of paper at Gentyl's face as she passed by.

"Define......'harmed'."

"That shouldn't require definition."

The old man's eyes tightened.

"I mean she is human. That means she is not to be wounded, starved, tortured, maimed, in any way hurt. Not some mad man troll's definition of harm." Gentyl unwadded the paper and glanced at the brief note. Senj wanted to meet her at the auction house later.

Taking advantage of the lapse, he turned to Foxria. "Fox, what beautiful eyes you have." When he was sure he had Gentyl's full attention, he continued. "I said I would have her healed. She has been hoping the ring would have been found by now. That you would have understood I wanted a meeting those two times your henchman came at me when I asked you to wait."

"She shouldn't require healing, but if she has been hurt, it would be a very good idea to heal her. Those were not my henchmen. I have no control over those not in my Guard."

He smiled evilly and leaned in close. "So, truthfully, it wasn't necessarily 'trolls' definition. Listen....carefully. Put your guard down a moment and 'listen'. Things aren't always what you believe they are. People aren't who you think, always. Sometimes they are worse. You used a word wrongly earlier and it may be the doom of you. I won't tell you but you used the sound "ing" at the end when "ed" would have been proper. I want my ring. I will kill whoever, horribly, in great pain, begging for their lives, that I need to in order to get it back. However...if it just magically happens to pop up? No harm, I'm sure they were just keeping it safe from brigands."

Gentyl pondered what he was talking about and tried to recall her words. "Sir, you have me at a disadvantage. Might I know your name?"

"This is just some garbage farmer avatar. You may now and for ever, know me as Tyrexus Darkheart."

He turned away from Gentyl and back to Fox. "Oh, little one, your eyes do intrigue."

The gnome's look of concern changed to confusion.


She had already guess who was behind the man, but she hoped he would share the man's name so he could be restored in case the "possession" harmed his mind. "You know, Tyrexus, your gift earlier was rather generous. And...not to worry, about her eyes, thank you."

"Ahhh, it bothers you that I like her eyes?" He waved his hand. "The gift was nothing. I was quite angry. Not known for my patience and all that. I had figured it would be a nice dress to wear to Mira's funeral. I gave her a small taste today. However she had quite the annoying group of friends. Couldn't quite get her where I wanted her. But my annoyance has passed...I hope."

Gentyl poured another cup of tea and chuckled. "Oh, I won't be attending Mira's funeral. Tyrexus, you don't seem to understand, death threats aren't really that new to us."

"Dearest to my heart. Don't you know? I don't deal in threats. I find them petty. The orphanage fire should have shown you that."

"Dearest to your heart? How poetic. I'd be wary of Mira. She's a bit more formidable than you might guess." She ignored the comment about the fire, but it took every ounce of strength not to choke him for the destruction he had caused in an effort to prove a point.

Gentyl blinked when he stood up. "If you will excuse me for a moment." She watched him hold his hand up as if asking her to wait and shuffle out the door.

"Ma'am ... that man was not right," Foxria said.

Gentyl drummed her fingers on the table, wondering what to do. "About what, Fox?"

"I mean ... something is wrong about him."

y u do

y u do what?

((Bumpsies! ))

FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION

To the Members of the Horde Organizations, Modas il Toralar and Black Hand Society:


This serves as an official notice from the Stormwind Watch. Multiple witnesses and substantial physical evidence indicate your personal involvement and/or collaboration in multiple instances of crimes committed within the territory of the Kingdom of Stormwind. These crimes include murder, kidnapping, assault, theft, injury to an officer of the law, and disturbance of the peace. The violations were not part of any official military action sanctioned by Garrosh Hellscream, Warchief of the Horde. Hence, they are consider to be criminal activities.

Therefore, you are ordered to appear for questioning at the main office of the Stormwind Watch in the City of Stormwind, Cathedral District, on or before the 18th of February of the current year. Possession of a copy of this notice on your person will guarantee you safe passage through Stormwind territory, provided no additional law-breaking on your part occurs during your time inside said territory. If arrested after questioning, you are guaranteed an attorney and all rights due to any defendant facing prosecution by the Crown of Stormwind. If you are willing to provide information leading to the arrest or death of other members of your organization, further consideration to the lessening of your sentence will be given. If you are not arrested, safe passage will be again guaranteed out of Stormwind territory.

Please note that Stormwind law does not guarantee legal due process for members of the Horde races. Therefore this offer, as opposed to summary execution on sight, should be understood as the courtesy that it is. This opportunity is only offered through 11:59pm on February 18th. Failure to appear by that time at the main office of the Stormwind Watch will force the Watch to resort to the option of summary execution upon sight. The Watch also reserves the right to contract out the search for and/or execution of your person to other members or organizations of the Alliance or Horde.

The Watch appreciates your cooperation in this matter.

Respectfully,

Lt. Commander Orwyn
Stormwind Watch

To the members of the Alliance who seek to persecute those outside their bounds by laws they no doubt follow with outstanding fervor and the zealotry that's come to mark your people's history:

While I find your sweeping generalizations of the Horde quite amusing, I find it to be nowhere near the level of absurdity you reach in your following statements.

One has to wonder how much you know of law, and politics - perhaps I should consider that this message is a joke. If so, well played, you are truly masters of sarcasm and irony.

While it is rather quaint that you believe your laws stretch any further than your own lands - much less that your promise of protection amounts to anything - I regretfully must inform you that you are very, very mistaken.

While it might be fanciful to say that if we were to abide by your laws, you must abide by ours, which are enforced by way of trial of combat, I'm afraid that's simply not how it works. If some member of the Horde were to demand the Alliance submit to trials by combat or judgement by commanders or chieftains, as they believe is their right by law, surely the only answer would be scoffing. Yet, time and time again, the Alliance insists that members of the Horde must foolishly bend to their unfamiliar system of justice.

I suggest a greater understanding of politics and the law in general before you go making such wild claims, lest you make even greater a fool of yourself.

Most sincerely,

The Magister Spellsong

After reading the notice in it's entirety, twice. Tyrexus looked up, lost in thought for a few moments, then he turned his attention to his cat, Gentyler.

"This human cannot possibly be serious, do you think? Hmmm. I will never understand their humor. It is so...mundane." The cat meowed at him. Tyrexus fully believed the cat understood his every word. "Well. Let's use this for something a little more down to earth."

With that thought, and paper in hand, he headed to the latrine. Muttering the whole way about "safe passage, bah!" and "submit to their judgement! Comical!"

Appearing on the doorstep of the office for the Stormwind watch is a letter that is finely sealed, with “Lt. Commander Orwyn” printed across the front.

My Dearest Lieutenant Commander Orwyn,

While I do no speak for all of Modas il Toralar, I know I share my dearest Lord Aziel V'Ghera's sentiments. You must be truly daft to think that this message of yours would actually persuade someone to appear in Stormwind for questioning. Most of us have been pursued before. Some of us have been 'executed' for the supposed crimes we commit. I am afraid this hand delivered response to refuse your offer is the most cooperation you will receive.

Sincerely,


Lady Thelinna Que'sheth

Orwyn's aide Lt. Clavishion was in the commander's office doing his best to sort out the damage done to several case files after they had been waterlogged by an unidentified vandal, when Orwyn walked in.

"Having any luck there, Lieutenant?" Orwyn asked.

"I'm doing my best sir," Clavishion replied. "Quite a few were sopping wet. I have at least got them all sorted by type of document again. You might want to look at that pile there. They're responses to the notice you put out."

Orwyn chuckled. "Any takers?"

"No, they all seem rather indignant"

Orwyn grinned and sat down to take a look. "Hmm...looks like we have several graduates of the Horde's equivalent of the Stockade University of Law here."

Clavision shook his head. "Funny sir, but what was the point if all we get are angry letters?"

Orwyn leaned back in his battered desk chair and smiled, tapping the pile of letters as he did so. "Lieutentant, no organization can exist without its leaders, its front men, its die hards. They're the ones making the plans and who are in the front line of battle. However, there are only a limited number of those kind of people in the world. The majority are regular fellows whose first loyalty isn't to any group, or cause. It's a lot closer to their own home. They're in an organization because they wanted money, or they didn't have a better option, or they were tricked or coerced into joining. They're the low people on the totem pole: the people who repair the damaged armor after the fight, who clean out the stable or sweep up the "secret" bases. They're not looking to be heroes, and they're certainly not looking to die."

"The dedicated ones...they see the notice and they scoff and write these letters. The others...they start thinking about their family, their friends, their own necks. They think how nice it really is to see the sun rise each new morning. They weigh their options. Any organization is only as strong as its weakest link, Lieutentant. That's the point." Orwyn rested his arms on the sides of the chair and smiled calmly at Clavishion. "Also, the notice was only the stick. I have a nice carrot I'll be throwing to the good members of the Horde soon enough." He grinned slightly at the thought.

Orwyn leaned forward again and started reading the rest of the letters. "Looks like a few of them signed their names."

"You think they actually used their real names sir?"

"Well, the more self-righteous the tone, the more likely it is, I'd say." Orwyn chuckled. "Regardless we have their hand-writing and an alias if nothing else, which is a lot more useful than the nothing we had before," Orwyn smiled cheerfully.

((Devious. Very nice.))

((Orwyn done pulled a trick on the Horde. Good on ya!))

((Good job. Orwyn!))

((Excellent, Orwyn. Excellent.))

A CREVER RUSE.))

Gruzzexl tilted his head at the notice he'd discovered.

Of course, one had not been delivered to him. Knowledge of his involvement was limited, but others.... he had ways of finding out the news.

There would be no written response. But it was most interesting to find that the law was so involved in the war. He had thought they would concern themselves with the things happening in the Alliance.

Still, if they wanted to meddle with the Horde, it could certainly be arranged.