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Derscha's desk was a mess, and her favorite hat was missing. She wasn't in a good mood.

She shoo'd away a stray cat- who kept letting them out? - and tried to reorganize the papers on her desk. She'd have to do an inventory later to make sure nothing was missing. The cats were prone to stealing things as toys. On top of the papers was the Razortalon's request for an official liaison to Hearthglen.

The AAMS had been sending an increasing number of messages to and from the Razortalons, with the understanding that it would be kept confidential. Meeting in front of a public tavern was hardly the most secure location for delicate messages. Akiae had approved the request, and Derscha's choice of couriers; someone would have to tell the Kanzelry sisters that the job was permanent. She wondered how they were getting along with all of Pia Presidium's cats.

Pia Presidium… they had been conspicuously absent at the AAMS Meet and Greet, although Gentyl had sent a note explaining why she couldn't attend. There was also the message from Ragefang, promising good behaviour, yet he hadn't shown. Derscha suspected it was for the best; a welcoming party for recruits wasn't the best place to risk fights.

As it was, even with those absences, Derscha still had to break up one fight at the end of the night. She had stood between the two, and demanded they stand down or take it outside, wielding nothing but her walking staff and her best glare. They chose the first option, much to Derscha's relief.

Having a fight on top of the AAMS' own doorstep would have been devastating. People were willing to come to Caer Darrow because they knew it was a safe place. It was a safe place because they relied on the honor of other parties to respect their neutrality.

Still, there were those who chose not to attend rather than leave their blade behind.

The Razortalon's request caught her eye again. She remembered the day in Dalaran, when Ronnad had asked for a meeting between Raoul and Terra Incognita. Derscha had to stipulate that the meeting be in private, with no weapons, because past events had proven there were those who wouldn't respect their neutrality.

Meetings turned into battles, and the AAMS had responded by insisting people disarm, and going into hiding.

Unfortunately, as Raoul had pointed out, he himself was a weapon. There wasn't any way to disarm him.

Derscha straightened up the papers, setting aside the liaison request, and Arietha's latest reports on her dealings with Terra Incognita. There was trouble brewing there (she unintentionally giggled at the term "brewing," considering recent events) and she worried about her former protege's safety.

Arietha was a kind soul, who believed fervently in peace. What would she do if Terra Incognita were attacked while she was in their vicinity? Would anyone care about her white uniform? The Modas weren't in the habit of sparing civilians. A young, night elf woman would be fair game to them. A tempting target, in fact.

Frankly, Derscha was tempted to withdraw the AAMS' cooperation in the whole venture. It was dangerous, and it put AAMS couriers at risk.

Tempted, but not convinced. There were things worth the risk.

Derscha filed her papers, singing softly to herself.

"… we won't pick a fight, but we'll always do what's right, anytime, anywhere…"

Gondorin sat at his makeshift desk at the Rage Fang Shrine in Grizzly Hills, twitching his ear slightly as hired laborers continued moving his purchase of goblin-made modular quarters into place. The Steamwheedles had promised him that the technology was safe for use, and all he'd have to do is activate a master control unit to activate the construction processes once all pieces were in their proper location. Despite these assurances (provided once he'd paid for "insurance", of course), he was heavily considering contacting Conclave to put a Priest on retainer to deal with any "unintentional" injuries.

He penned a quick note and sent a trained squirrel with it to a nearby gryphon master, so it could be born off to the Eastern Kingdoms and thence to Caer Darrow. It read,

My sincerest apologies, Derscha, for my failure to appear at Caer Darrow last week. After much thought, it was my considered perspective that my presence, despite my personal intentions of honorable behavior, would possibly result in more destruction than I considered acceptable to your organization's newly-rebuilt headquarters. As a result, I elected to remain absent.

I cannot pretend the Horde's presence is acceptable so long as Garrosh Hellscream holds the position of Warchief, and so long as Sylvanas Windrunner's Forsaken are allowed to continue her vile atrocities unhalted. When these threats are mitigated, peace with the Horde is possible. Until then, my presence alongside any Horde who do not immediately disavow participation in such activities will not occur.

You may get in contact with me if you have further questions.

Sincerely,

Gondorin Ragefang
Coordinator of the Reclamation

Gentyl drummed her fingers on the desk, deep in thought. It was interrupted by a horrific, high-pitched screeching just outside the window. "Tobias! Take that blasted cockroach someplace else and teach it to sing!" Gods she hated Tyrexus.

And, thinking of AAMS and their latest delivery to her, she needed a new liaison. Jezzica had been missing for months and Gentyl liked having a familiar courier to deal with.

She quickly penned a note.

"Dear Miss Derscha,

My liaison, Jezzica seems to be missing. I require a new one. I prefer working with newer couriers, since they tend to be less--" What was the word she was looking for? Informed? Suspicious? Paranoid? She scratched out less.

"--more eager. If you have a gnome, that would be even better. I like gnomes.

Truly,

Gentyl

PS How are the cats doing? Do you need more? It's nearly springtime and animals everywhere begin to think of love. You may have noticed several of those cats were slightly plump. I liked to think of them as crazy cat lady starter kits."

It had started as a normal night.

She was having a pleasant talk with Gentyl Turncutt about her decision to assign Arietha as the Pia Predium's new liaison.

She had briefly considered assigning Spriggel Lockbolten, a gnome who had recently joined the service. Spriggel had proven herself to be enthusiastic… and at times too enthusiastic, judging from the mess she continually left behind her, particularly in the vicinity of Derscha's poor desk. In the end, Derscha decided that sending the excitable Spriggel to work with Gentyl was just asking for trouble.

Arietha was the better choice. She was reliable and level-headed, less likely to get herself killed. Plus, Arietha's reports were actually intelligible.

So she sat in the Blue Recluse, across from Gentyl, letting her know about the decision. She was vaguely aware of some talk about Menethil, but focused on the conversation at hand.

Gentyl had just finished offering a retainer for Arietha's services when Derscha felt her hearthstone vibrate. A quick check showed confirmed it was one of her couriers, attempting to contact her. It vibrated again, in the pattern for urgent messages. With a frown, Derscha held the stone to her ear to listen.

"Derscha?" Spriggel's voice called. She sounded harried, and there was sounds of shouting and frantic movement in the background. Her voice cut in and out. "Derscha….attack…. Menethil. What should … be doing? …. Modas tabards….nothing effective…"

Derscha could feel the blood draining from her face. Modas!

"Are you all right?" Gentyl asked.

"Excuse me, Gentyl, one of my people's in trouble. She's in Menethil," Derscha hurriedly excused herself.

Gentyl nodded. She understood. "Go help her."

As it happened, Arietha was just arriving as Derscha hurried out the door. She saw the look on Derscha's face and immediately turned around and fell in step behind her.

"Where are we going?"

"To the Wetlands. To Spriggel."

Derscha eschewed taking a gryphon, detouring to pick up her rarely-used rocket. Arietha climbed in behind her, and the gnome pushed the throttle to max power once they were clear of the city.

"Spriggel?" she continued to call into the stone in route. "Spriggel, what are you doing?"

At last the courier responded. "They singed my tabard! Do they not recognize the neutrality of the AAMS? I tried asking them to stop but I couldn't get any response."

"Spriggel… listen to me…. get away from there!"

"But there are injured folks…"

Derscha took a deep breath, closing her eyes, which teared in the wind rushing past her face. She had been a healer first, long before she was ever the Boss.

"Help who you can, but stay away from the fighting. Help the people escape."

The stone was silent.

She continued to call as they made their way achingly slow across the Wetlands, intermittently explaining the situation to Arietha.

As the port city came in sight, she could see the signs of a recent battle, but there was no current action.

"Spriggel, where are you?" Derscha asked again.

The were a shuffle. "… docks on at Menethil Bay."

Derscha spotted the largest crowd of people, and angled the rocket to make a landing nearby. The open spaces of the docks were filled with injured people, awaiting medical treatment.

She and Arietha searched the crowd for their colleague. It took several long minutes to find the gnome amongst the throng. Her white uniform was tattered and dirty, with a large burn mark across her tabard. Derscha ran to her, and Spriggel promptly leaned her head on Derscha's shoulder, crying and shaking.

Derscha held on tight, patting her back until the worst of it passed. Someone nearby was asking questions, but she tuned it out. She was aware of Arietha nearby, almost standing guard for them.

At last, Spriggel regained her composure.

"It was horrible," she said.

"Spriggel, are you okay?"

Spriggel's shaking transformed, from that of shock to anger. She held her hammer in front of her. "As ordered I did not raise my hammer." She threw it on the dock with a loud thunk.

Derscha jumped back, startled. She regarded the hammer for a long moment. She had to order Spriggel to fall back. Spriggel knew that. The very day she'd hired Spriggel, she had informed her of AAMS policy regarding combat situations.

"I'll scurry away faster than a Stonetalon spider." That had been Spriggel's quick, easy response.

Yet, when faced with the actual reality, that wasn't what happened. Spriggel had stayed, helping tend to the wounded. She had put her life at risk to save others.

"… I'm glad you're safer," Derscha said quietly.

Spriggel's tense posture eased up. "I'm sorry," she said regretfully. "It's just my nerves getting to me." She picked the hammer back up, only to sit down on the dock, head in her hands.

Dersch clenched her own fists. "I'm sorry," she said as well, not entirely sure why.

That was when she noticed Arietha's motion to look behind her. There was a unfamiliar gnome nearby, holding out some sort of recording device, watching them intently. Derscha protectively stepped between her and Spriggel.

"Hi," the gnome introduced herself. "Frisket Silverquill, Vigilant Times."

Vigilant Times? Someone had mentioned that name to her before. A newspaper, she recalled.

Derscha could hear Spriggel murmuring behind her. Now was not the time to be talking to the press. She nodded politely, but said, "One moment please, my courier needs me."

"Right, of course." The reporter seemed content to move on.

Spriggel was still talking to a patient Arietha. "They were asking, and yelling at me, to help calm the Modas. And there was nothing, NOTHING, I could do."

Derscha sat down beside her. "You did what you could, right? That's the most anyone could expect."

Spriggel adjusted the hammer in her lap, pointedly looking at Derscha. Dersch felt her face flush.

Spriggel hadn't done all she could, because Derscha had ordered her not to.

She looked again at the aftermath of the battle. Recently rebuilt store fronts were destroyed. People limped along the street, while others were carried away in stretchers. The dead bodies of the less fortunate were still being cleared away.

How could she have asked Spriggel to ignore people in need? How did she tell her to stay her weapon, when innocents were being hurt? They couldn't just let this happen...

She offered Spriggel some medicine from her first aid kit to help calm her nerves. The courier recited the sequence of events. She was in the area on a delivery, and heard the alarms. She had bravely rushed to the front of the battle, calling out to the Horde, attempting to talk to them in their own tongue. They either didn't hear her, or perhaps ignored her, and so she called Derscha for help.

The next thing she knew, she was surrounded by a war zone and nearly killed by a fireball. She heeded Derscha's orders and fell back, helping whatever wounded she could find.

At the end of the tale, Derscha sighed. "Take a leave from duty," she suggested in a clearly more-than-a-suggestion tone of voice. "A week or so, at least."

Spriggel nodded. "I think I should. This was not what I expected."

"No. No one does. Do you need help getting home?"

"I'll hire a taxi flight. I don't think I should be driving."

Derscha suddenly recalled the gnome asking questions, but she was no where in the vicinity. "Who was that Vigilant person?" she asked.

"The newsgnome? I believer her name was Silverquill." Spriggel rolled her eyes. "A bit too hung ho, nosey, in-your-face, war hawk."

Derscha didn't like the sound of that…. even the parts that sounded suspiciously like herself. "I ought to track her down. Did you talk to her?"

"You bet I did." Spriggel looked suddenly guilty. "I gave her a ….. earful."

Right. Finding this 'newsgnome' became one of Derscha's top priorities.

"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt…" someone spoke up. A human paladin named Adinas Barthalomew of the Azure Crusade joined the conversation. Adinas had overheard mention of Silverquill's name, and helpfully, was able to tell Derscha how to find her office in Ironforge.

"Thank you for your information," she told Adinas. She turned to Spriggel. "I should track her down. Put a report on my desk before you take your leave. NEATLY," she added pointedly.

It was time to find a newsgnome.

The meeting with Miss Silverquill went well enough. Derscha found she quite liked the "newsgnome" and her no-nonsense attitude.

She left the Vigilant Times' offices with the assurances she wanted. Other people had confirmed Spriggel had acted in defense only, helping the injured, and that's what the Vigilant Times would print. Derscha wasn't yet ready to face the uproar an AAMS associate daring to fight would cause.

Derscha also made sure to mention that Spriggel's near miss could have easily been an accident; there was no evidence anyone was actually targeting the AAMS courier. It wouldn't do to cause unwarranted accusations.

"I'll make sure to report things as accurately as possible," Silverquill had said. "It's important people get the truth."

The truth….

The truth was, Spriggel had been very, very lucky. Instead of retreating from the oncoming battle, she had attempted to stop the Modasi, and came away with little more than a ruined uniform. But what about the next attack? Could the AAMS rely on that luck?

What was clear was that she couldn't expect her couriers to allow the Modas il Toralar to attack with impunity. She couldn't bring herself to order someone, 'Stand aside, do nothing.' Something had to be done, even if not on the field of battle.

The AAMS was neutral… but only so far as not favoring Horde or Alliance. 'Neutrality' didn't mean they had to let thugs massacre innocent people. It meant they would oppose such thugs, regardless of faction. One this was certain... she was more convinced than ever that helping Terra Incognita was the right thing to do.

It was time to talk to Akiae about this 'tactical unit' she keep mentioning…






((OOC note: As far as I am aware, no player attacked Spriggel, and she never flagged. I have specifically avoided putting IC blame on anyone burning Spriggel's uniform, which could have easily been an accident from either side of the battle.))

Orgrimmar was scorching as ever, and Akiae's forehead could've easily been compared to one of those trollish hotsprings. She was driving her chopper from Ratchet and had only made it into the gigantic orcish city a few minutes that news from attacks on Theramore and Menethil had come to her attention. The news didn't surprise her much considering the recent skirmishes between the Horde and the Alliance raging throughout Azeroth.

She hopped off her heavy ride with one quick leg swing and walked towards the nearest tavern. As she made it inside, a courier crashed into the establishment and halted his course in front of her.

"Lady Dawnveil! I've some news from the Alliance Branch!" he shouted, still in a hurry.

"Calm down first and sit down. I'm sure you're in need of a drink, running under a scorching sun does one no good."

She reached for the counter and ordered a couple drinks and some water for the strained courier. As the runner reached for his pint, he glanced at Sulailee with a serious air around him. After slamming in a few good sips he brought down the news.

"One of our Alliance couriers got caught up in the attack on Menethil earlier. Apparently she's alright now and been moved to safety, but she suffered from shock. Reportedly she was treating the wounds of the fallen."

Akiae's shining eyes shone more intensely by the time the courier was done delivering the news. She remained still for a moment then turned her gaze down onto the table, then back to the courier. A faint grinding sound came out of her closed mouth, before she opened it again. She was, as any business leader in such a situation would be, quite furious. While the courier reached his drink she quickly rose from her seat and went out, flipping a few gold coins towards the courier.

"Thank you for informing me. The drinks're on me. Take your time to relax here, I've some work to do."

She then hopped back on her chopper and hurled through the Orgrimmar streets and out; her next destination was the Office. Pronto.

--

She bolted into her own office, grabbing all the necessary items to produce a letter. Hastily she drafted a letter she would send to Derscha as soon as the ink would dry on the paper.

"Derscha.

The relief I feel knowing our courier came back in one piece, as it may be deep, does not compare to the anger I barely manage to keep in. As I understand it, our courier was on the battlefield tending to the wounded but was caught in the crossfire. While it may be an accident, it remains unacceptable that the utmost wasn't done to ensure an AAMS employee wouldn't be spared from the blows. -- Especially if said employee is administering medical treatments for both sides.

-Unfortunately-. As long as we don't have full knowledge of what happened, there is nothing we can do except investigate the case. Which shouldn't be too much of a problem. However, alarms have been raised within the Office and this situation reinstate the dire need of a mean of force for the AAMS. You and I shall meet at your earliest convenience to discuss the next course of action, in the light of what happened and also our latest public announcement.

In the meantime, collect whatever information you can on the matter and I shall do the same from here. Also send my regards to your courier and tell everyone they are now allowed to use means of force against those who pose a threat to their safety, or their life.

Never a courier should let him or herself get injured without immediate retaliation. So shan't we.

I hope this situation be resolved soon.

Kindest regards,

Sulailee Akiae Dawnveil."

"... Never again." She grinded between her teeth.

She then grabbed a silk cloth left on the corner of her sturdy desk and wiped off the sweat from her face. She paused, took a deep breath and reached for her quill again. Her work wasn't quite done yet.

She penned.

"Lord V'Ghera.

News traveled fast from the other corner of Azeroth. In the wake of the battles your group carried through the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor earlier, one of our couriers took some hits. I understand this may've been an accident, but do understand my concern for my employees' safety during their work.

Furthermore, I honestly am disappointed that this situation wasn't prevented at all cost; especially when our employee from our other Branch is even tending to your own wounded. I wish to remind you that the Modas Il Toralar and the AAMS have signed a non-aggression treaty years ago under Engrid and Zandrama's govern and said treaty remains active today. I won't allow myself to fall into assumptions here, but I want to remind you that no transgressions of said agreements will be tolerated from any and all parties in the case of AAMS employee mistreatment.

If you wish to further the discussion on the matter, I will free my schedule for you.

Regards,

Sulailee Akiae Dawnveil
AAMS"

She sighed, dropping her quill for a moment before taking it again and hastily dipping it in the inkwell facing her.

The next message was sent to the Newspaper.

"AAMS Notice.

In the light of the recent events, the AAMS would like to remind all Azerothians that mistreatment of employed couriers is to be avoided at all cost in any and all circumstances or legal consequences will ensue.

Thank you for your collaboration.

Peace at all cost,

AAMS."

Gentyl sat at the table and pondered what was going on. An aams courier was at a battle? She remembered quite well what happened with Vasi. The courier had tracked Gentyl down to deliver a message and had, without thinking about it, healed someone who came into Honor's Stand. it had immediately flagged her as a combatant in horde eyes and they dropped her like a rock.

the horde rose up in arms against aams to the point most refused to use them. their couriers were by turns shunned or abused. aams came quite close to dying. they couldn't take another hit to their reputation. fool me once and all that. horde would never trust them again.

gods. she didn't want to lose aams.

Aorune stood at the war room table at Fenris, alone as far as he also knew he had made a mistake. He should have never allowed the Spriggel woman to step foot onto those docks, but the adrenaline had been coursing through him, and she was the only ticket eh thought of to stop the Modasi from killing every single man, woman, and child in the harbor. And then what? Ironforge?

The evening had started off terribly. The warriors of Fenris were closing up a meeting when the Sepha's calls fro help in Theramore lit up Fireblade's stone like wildfire. The Worgen had not stepped out of the Keep when similar reports began to fly around in Menethi Harbor. That was closer, an immediate threat to Fenris. While it pained Aorune not to go to what he respected as the spiritual successor of Lordaeron, he had to do what was best for his men.

The Modasi streamed off a returning ship, slaughtering all of the sailors on and off the vessel. Luckily, Fenris was not alone; The Azure Crusade and a few Pillar of Honor members arrived at the same time. This was when he bid Spriggel to try to reason with the Modasi, but they completely ignored her as if she were a fly. The battle was short, in the Alliance's fortune; Each Modasi either was killed or fled the scene, into Forsaken land.

Then Silverquill arrived, just missing the action, although she immediately began to question the AAMS gnome at the scene. Aorune left to ensure Fenris was unharmed, leaving Luptia or any other willing membrs to give the newspaper reporter any details.

Akiae of the AAMS,

The Master feels it important that it be expressed: The non-aggression treaty remains intact.

That which appears damaged and neglected is the guise of neutrality worn by the AAMS; we most humbly remind the singular importance this attribute has to your organization in a.) legitimacy and b.) survival.

Due likely to unforeseen Dr. Wolfe related destruction, we lack the original document but assume a caveat must exist with regards to emotional damage to those of a fragile constitution as no member of the AAMS was directly harmed in this [REDACTED] "operation".

If AAMS neutrality was to be properly applied for future situations of a similar nature, those of the Modas il Toralar will be able to avoid unfortunate collateral damage to members of your organization.

Order Through Atrocity. Peace Through Fear. Faith in Modas il Toralar.
-Weishaupt, Mouth of the Modas il Toralar.

The letter hadn't had the time to fall on Akiae's desk that she hastily grabbed it to read its content. It took her a mere few seconds to read its content and sport a heavy frown.

"Legitimacy? Survival? ... Properly applied?! I'd be bleeding gold if he wasn't laughing at us right now! Did he miss half of what I wrote to him or what!"

She crashed her hand forming a fist on her desk, the letter now turned into a chiffon. As she relaxed her fist she glanced at the letter again; judging she had proven ill-tempered she decided to unfold the letter again, trying to press it back to its original form. She then put it in an already-large folder, to slip it within a classifier.

"... A warning nonetheless.", she smirked sourly.