World of Warcraft®

Standing on the overlook of the Aerie, Saavedro of Stratholme listened to the sounds of wildlife in the forests of the Hinterlands. Commander Stoneheardt was away doing his duty to the Alliance, so he would wait for a time before he spoke with the lad. Genevra and Narnicka were very proud of their son, and what he had endured. Saavedro saw good things in the lad, too.

His mind was troubled. Zherron had just arrived and told him of what had happened in Stormwind. Amendera had informed the City Watch, and would then go to Genevra. Genevra and Gentyl would meet eventually, too...hopefully cordially.

This is not what I intended. That sentence kept going through his mind. This has gone too far. Artimus has betrayed the oath he made to Sepha Gentyl...all because he believes me dead, and Genevra and Gentyl involved. And the priestess, too...what is to become of her?

He would wait until he could meet with Lahkin, and get a clearer picture. Then he would go to Stormwind, or Hearthglen, or wherever, and meet with Gentyl. It was time to come clean.

The quiet of the Barrens was soothing. Crusade Champion Jeremy Slater had wondered why he'd never been sent here before--even during the Scourge Invasion--but now he understood. He easily found himself lost in the rhythm of life there.

It wasn't Lordaeron, the land of his salad days. For one thing, they hadn't had herds of gazelle, like the one grazing off to the southeast of the tree in which he reclined. They hadn't had lions, like the one stalking the herd of gazelle.

They had, however, had orcs--not, in fact, unlike the three who'd jumped him while they thought he was too busy relieving himself. One thing to be said for them: what they lacked in brains, they made up for as fertilizer. He wondered idly how long it would be before the hyenas discovered them and returned them to the circle of life or whatever nonsense the Cenarion Expedition was peddling these days.

He whistled cheerfully to himself. Fully justified in defending himself, thank you very much, and so he was entitled not to drown himself in remorse for his enemies' loss.

The tall grass rustled off to the north of his loungin' tree, and he looked down to see that young blond paladin shuffling through to meet him. "Well, Merrill? What's new?"

Athanion Merrill saluted quickly, then took out a scrollcase. "Message for you from Commander Barthalomew, sir."

Slater rolled over onto his stomach and reached down for the message. "Might want to tone that down," he advised the young man. "Saluting on the front lines is bad. Saluting behind the lines is worse."

"Right, sorry." Athanion made a face. "Don't tell Wentworth. He'd never let me hear the end of it."

"You know me. I leave the gossip to the women. Have to use their brains for something, I suppose." Slater scanned the message quickly. "How old is this?"

"Fresh from Fort Triumph this morning, si--er, Slater. That bad?"

"Well, it's surely not good." He sighed and dropped out of the tree, landing neatly on his feet. "I leave town for just a couple of weeks and everyone suddenly loses their ever-lovin' marbles. Bunch of idiots. Barthalomew's recalled us." Slater looked across at where the Azure Crusade camp was well hidden. "Tell 'em to pack it up, kid. We're going to Darnassus."

D'Ar Thora stood in the central gallery looking down to the floor below, in her hand she held the missive from her sister in Pia. Watch, it said, but take no action. She had been watching and listening, ever since the plague had forced their relocation to the Abby. The Priestess had been someone of interest to her since their arrival. There was something about her that had disturbed D'Ar. What that had been was now quite clear and the priestess' actions had certainly caused considerable friction between certain high ranking members of the Alliance. D'Ar could easily understand those reactions given the current circumstances. Pia's request though was quite clear, observe, record and report.

"Very well then," D'Ar thought to herself. "we are called Light's Shadow for a reason even if that means watching our own. As long as they are prepared to accept what we might find". She turned and motioned for her assistant to rejoin her. "As long as they are prepared for the truth".

Narnicka rubbed his temples in mild irritation. More letters from the Field Marshal had forced him to have an official letter posted about this Nynra business, including details he'd hoped to keep quiet until a trial could be held, should one be needed.

Posted on the Call Boards of Stormwind and Ironforge, Lt. Commander Stoneheardt's seal sits just below the Alliance crest that holds a large letter in place:

To all members of the Alliance and Cathedral:

It has come to my attention that accusations have threatened to become vigilante action against one Nynra Lightheart. In these accusations of being a Horde spy, an investigation by the Alliance military was mounted.

The findings are as follows.

Preliminary findings reveal that Nynra Lightheart, in the controvercial letter to the Horde, did not divulge any tactical information regarding Alliance troop movement or weaknesses. With how many consecutive weeks she was part of the War Council meetings, she certainly had such knowledge, but this letter containted none of it.

The investigation into Nynra being undead was not pursued far, under the principle of what is wrong with that accusation. Death Knights, once under the direct control of a genocidal Lich King were brought back into our cities, many of them being undead. Nynra being undead, an accusation that has yet to be confirmed, is neither illegal, nor a breach of Alliance security.

Word of whether a trial is even necessary has not yet come from any higher authority, so further action is pending.

On another note, the issue of Nynra's own rights as a Stormwind citizen are under consideration. Under no circumstances is any person to take this investigation into their own hands, as it is being handled by the authorities of Stormwind and its military. Any attempt to infringe upon Nynra Lightheart's rights to exist in Stormwind will be dealt with in a matter consistent with the severity of such a crime.

Forever in service to the Alliance,

Lieutenant Commander Narnicka Stoneheardt,
First Stormwind Regiment

Gondorin read the notice, nodding. It's as I thought, he thought sadly to himself. His small gnomish attache, currently on leave from dangerous field duty, stood dutifully by. He looked down at her, nodding. She pulled out a quill, inkwell and paper. "Make sure this is placed on all the Alliance cities' call boards, and in a public place in Cathedral Square as well." She nodded.

To the Alliance and associated parties:

In response to Lieutenant Commander Stoneheardt's statement of in-process findings regarding Nynra Lightheart, it should be noted that no vigilante action will be taken so long as the authorities can maintain confidence that an impartial investigation is being conducted into allegations of her allegiance to the Forsaken, and subsequent allegations of spy activity in Alliance War Councils.

However, as no formal questioning of Nynra Lightheart has been conducted to our knowledge, and as those harboring her, Conclave under the command of Genevra Stoneheardt, have refused to surrender her whereabouts or permit her to be questioned by an impartial inquisitor, I must, with great regret, call for Narnicka Stoneheardt to recuse himself from further involvement in this investigation, due to his marriage to Genevra, who may yet be forced to answer for harboring a traitor should a trial conclude that Nynra is, in fact, acting against the Alliance's interest. A conflict of interest has arisen that, in order to maintain the impartiality of these proceedings, must be dealt with quickly.

Evidence of her being undead is not sole evidence of guilt of treason, for the reasons Lieutenant Commander Stoneheardt has noted. However, if she is in fact revealed to be Forsaken, this is a different matter entirely, as the Forsaken are active members of the Horde and unquestioned perpetrators of heinous violations and offenses against life and the Light. An undead is not automatically a traitor or a criminal to the Alliance: a Forsaken is.

This is an official call for Lieutenant Commander Stoneheardt to recuse himself from further investigations in this matter so that impartiality may be maintained until the investigation is concluded and a final verdict, in light of all available considerations and evidences, has been delivered by an authoritative body representing the totality of Alliance interests.

With heavy heart,

Gondorin Ragefang
Commander, The Ebon Sanction
Knight of the Ebon Blade

Gondorin sighed. "I wish you hadn't brought it to this, Narn..."

The words of Saavedro echoed in her mind more than anything else these last days, "Will it come to the worst, Genevra? Civil War?" The priestess didn't know the answer or rather, she knew the answer, or rather the answer that came unbidden to her mind, "We're already there," she could not bring herself to speak.

The confrontations in recent days between Gentyl and the Presidium, then Ragefang and his accusations were all shadowed by the meeting they just concluded. "We stand for what's right, for understanding, and for the defense and pursuit of knowledge." She told herself reassuringly.

"You sure you know what's right?" Came the voice of a passer-by, Genevra, having wandered to the Cathedral district while speaking to herself. The stranger pointed to the notices, two of them.

She read the first, written in her husband's hand and let out a sigh of relief, "Maybe it won't come to Civil War." She thought, that is until she read the second letter. She read the notice by Ragefang twice, and wrenched it from the notice board, her frustration mountin as she left the square.

Tell it to the King, not the kingdom, Lahkin thought, as he read both letters. His eyes were hurting by the end of it, and he still wasn't sure of some of the words, but he got the general idea.

Lahkin pinned both of the letter back up, one underneath the other. Let them fight, he decided, while Lahkin and others tired of the backbiting hunted the real head of the threat. Modas il Toralar. Scorched Earth. Agar...

But still...to not at least try to bring some peace..

Lahkin left another message, scrawled on the bottom of Ragefang's as he had no other paper. The note was unsigned, though anyone who knew his poor penmanship could probably tell the difference anyway. Or maybe not. It wasn't like he wrote his own letters often.

Let the StoRmwind WatcH Handle it. No ties to the StoneHeaRdt family and tHey Have the Right authoRitee.

We waist time bitting ouRselves in tHe tails wHen the Real tHReat is still around. Modas il ToRalaR.

You play in-to tHeiR Hands.

A letter is delivered directly to Ragefang, sent by an Ebon courier from Acherus, the Ebon Hold:

Brother of the Ebon Blade, I send greetings.

I have recently received copies of the recent series of open letters posted in Stormwind, brought by members of our Order returning from Stormwind. The current situation troubles me, and has led me to a series of revelations.

Firstly, the involvement of Narnicka Stoneheardt in attempting to deflect Justice from the Forsaken spy Nynra Lightheart. He is clearly abusing the authority of his rank and status as an officer of the Alliance military. While I agree that he must recuse himself at once, he must also suffer the same punishment as his family. The fact that he defends someone who must be an enemy agent confuses me, as no one is allowed to simply walk in and out of Orgrimmar unless their true allegiance lay with the Horde.

Since I mentioned it...regarding the Stoneheardt family - it is clear that this entire tree is poisoned. Lahkin does whatever Genevra and Narnicka wish of him, and it is clear that both husband and wife are in accord in their treason - and no doubt, so is Lahkin's own wife, Erelyn. I recommend that the matter be taken one step further. I am currently wanted by the Watch for the crime of "assaulting" these traitors, so I cannot as yet leave the Ebon Hold...but take this warrant to the Watch: All four of them, Narnicka and Genevra, Lahkin and Erelyn, are to be immediately arrested on the charges of treason and aiding and abetting a spy of the Banshee Queen, and that they be held until they surrender the spy, so that she may be executed. We have the moral high ground here. We know their treason, we have the evidence, and it is clear and undeniable. The Watch will not be able to deny our right.

Which brings me to my final point - regarding the Pia Presidium. Though individuals among them have shown that they are willing - and indeed, able - to commit to the course of action you advocate for the good of our Alliance, the leadership is woefully lacking in both common sense and in backbone. Whoever this anonymous propagandist was that damned them - and you - as criminals, I will say that they were perhaps half right...the Presidium are weaklings and hypocrites, unable to do more but make empty threats. They have taken no actions against the Stoneheardts or the Forsaken witch. They have no stomach for what must be done.

I admit that I thought certain things of you at one point. I thought you a mad dog, a warmonger, a blind fool. But recent events have shown me that perhaps you see far more clearly than any. I have allowed myself to be blinded by the idealism of people like Genevra and Gentyl, when I know full well that war is gruelling, it is bloody, and it takes no prisoners. That is why, as of this moment, I renounce all ties to the Stoneheardt family and all who associate with them, and to the Pia Presidium. I advise, for the sake of our cause, that you do likewise - you cannot afford this kodo on your back when we are finally vindicated.

It is time to show these scripture-thumping idiots what Death can truly do.

For the Alliance and the Ebon Blade!

Artimus Devaneaux

Another notice is placed beside Ragefang's in order to show they are in direct relation. A response:

To all members of the Alliance,

As an official response to the outrageous allegations of bias in the matter involving Nynra Lightheart, this response must be written with a strong hand and an iron will.

The matter of Nynra Lightheart is still under review. Until time as such accusations of being a horde spy are proven in a court or dismissed by a ranking judge that represents the Alliance military, no charges of treason can be placed upon Genevra Stoneheardt. Since the person in question, Nynra, is not yet guilty of being a Horde spy, Genevra Stoneheardt has not yet been charged with a crime. With Genevra Stoneheardt's fate not being directly in the balance of this investigation, no bias-rendering ties between Nynra Lightheart and Narnicka Stoneheardt exists.

Those who continue to claim the investigation cannot be handled further by Lt. Commander Stoneheardt are attempting to undermine the authority of the Alliance military, and may have charges of "provoking civil unrest" pressed to them by the military itself.

Those looking into this accusation of Nynra Lightheart being a traitor will not yield to mob mentality.

Forever in service to the Alliance,

Lieutenant Commander Narnicka Stoneheardt,
First Stormwind Regiment

Narnicka stifled a sigh as he returned to the Keep. "Don't play hardball with me, Gondorin... You have no idea what I'm capable of," He muttered.

Gondorin read Narnicka's vitriolic response with amusement. "He's protecting his wife," he said quietly from his cell in Acherus. His soft bass voice rumbled against the eternally-cold walls. "Of course he'll feel he's having hardball played with him."

He rose, walking to the open-air balcony, looking down over the still-plagued Eastern Plaguelands. "Civil unrest," he chuckled. "He would threaten me with a charge of so little importance because it's all he could appeal to."

From behind him, the voice of his gnomish attache came drifting on chill winds. "He is part of Stormwind's military, Sir."

Gondorin turned to look over his shoulder, nodding. "And of little true threat. He moans about the death of his men as though such a death could have been prevented. It could have been, had those men not signed up to join Stormwind's military. Every soldier knows what the risk is when they give their life to service." The gnome nodded, understanding.

"He would try to threaten me with being unable to walk peacefully in Stormwind, when he has no authority. King Wrynn would be the only one to revoke any Alliance Death Knight's ability to move freely in his realm, and he won't do so. The Ebon Blade is more useful to him in protecting the Alliance, and he'll maintain our diplomatic immunity because of that. So long as none of his citizens are murdered by an Ebon Blade directly, we have complete freedom to do as we feel necessary."

"What if you reach a point where political unrest makes that continued immunity undesirable for Highlord Mograine?" she asked, staring intently at him. He had turned again to look out over the balcony. "What if, to keep the peace, Highlord Mograine decides someone is to be made an example of?"

Gondorin pinched his nose in concentration. "The ire of a single troop's commander won't be enough to even garner Darion's notice. We're in an enviable position, to be perfectly honest: the issue is something the Highlord will stay uninvolved in, chalking it up to local politics that have no warrant of his attention, and since King Wrynn won't risk his peaceful arrangement with the Ebon Blade over this, the diplomatic immunity of Alliance Death Knights remains solidly in place."

He turned to face his attache directly. "No laws are being broken. I have no intent of going on a murderous rampage in Stormwind's streets just because I could do so with impunity. The war with the Horde proceeds apace, and this is my primary concern. I again reiterated earlier tonight the truth: I have no desire to harm their children, their civilians, their infirm, or those who surrender.

I will only become directly involved in the hunt for Nynra if I perceive justice is not being impartially pursued. Narnicka's the wrong one to be looking into this either way: this is properly the jurisdiction of the Stormwind City Watch. His response is telling, however. He retreats behinds threats he knows have no teeth because he can't risk being exposed for partisan behavior relating to possible collusion charges against his wife. He also knows that until he recuses himself from the investigation, no reliable assertions of impartiality can be made unless his wife gives Nynra up to an impartial body for questioning. He's backed himself into a corner, and he's starting to breathe heavily as he realizes his options for exit are becoming increasingly limited."

He turned around again, clasping his wrists behind his back and taking in a deep breath, despite not needing to breathe at all. "Get me in touch with Orwyn, of the City Watch. It's time his people took this case over, if only to save Narn from himself, and his family from his increasingly desperate maneuvers."

He pulled a letter out from a pouch on his belt. He unfolded it and read it for the 10th time, then nodded and placed it back in his pouch. "Artimus Devaneaux is somewhere in Acherus. Find him after you've contacted Orwyn. We need to speak."

Another letter had arrived to the Warden by Tal'rada's hand. Suppose it was good to have an informant, even if the motives were a bit suspect. As promised, she gave the notice a look over, this one discussing the matter of an alleged Horde spy and how such accusations must first be proven in some kind of court.

"Well, Warden?" Tal'rada said, beaming.

Kyalin only shook her head. "Explain something to me, Tal. What precisely IS a 'ranking judge that represents the Alliance military'?"

The smile drained from the young upstart's face. "Well, I..."

"An Alliance, Tal'rada, is just that." Kyalin began, assuming the poise of a seasoned lecturer. "... an agreement between nations to assist each other in their mutual defense and interests. There is however, no 'Alliance' law, no 'Alliance' lawmaking body or figure. There is no 'Alliance' judiciary, and there is no 'Alliance' judge. The 'Alliance military' is little more than a nebulous term used to identify the combined militaries of the Alliance's respective nations. Apart from the term, it does not exist, but you, Tal'rada, would be so eager to vilify the one ebon who I can actually put up with, that you would conveniently forget all of this?"

Kyalin just stared at her, waiting for an answer, and she just felt stupid. "Well... surely it wouldn't have been sent out if not..."

Kyalin cut her off again. "It's another self-important human claiming to impose his interpretation of justice upon everyone else. It's absolutely going to be sent out to anyone who will read it! As things stand though, I believe there is a human saying that sums up this whole letter rather well. He's..." The Warden hesitated, looking down for a moment and shaking her head. "Uh..."

"Well, what is it, Warden?"

Kyalin looked at Tal'rada again, shrugging and looking confused. "I just can't remember it for the life of me. Something involving fire or ash... or... no, smoke!" She said excitedly. "... and wind... I think."

"Smoke and wind? What sort of wind? Is it a breeze or a gust?"

"Humans aren't that specific." The Warden mused. "Bah... it'll come to me eventually."

"Narnicka.... what bad news do you bring this time?" Orwyn had asked as he stepped up to Narnicka's desk in the Stormwind Keep.

Narnicka looked up from a file, setting it aside as he leaned off the desk. He'd always been far too appauled to the idea of sitting behind one of these things. Though, times like these made him silently give thanks that he'd learned how to play the game with nobles. "Am I that predictable?" He replied evenly, grinning slightly.

"Life is that predictable with us."

"Mmh..." Narnicka considered. "True, I suppose. We might have a problem. I take it you've heard of this Nynra issue, right?"

Orwyn nodded. "Of course."

"Thus far, the accusations being strictly of military nature, so I've been handling it. However, this is quickly going to be a problem for both of us."

Orwyn stifled a sigh. Narnicka knew that sigh. It was a man resigning that the night's sleep had just lost a chunk of time. "Let's hear it..."

Narnicka ran a hand down his face. "Gondorin Ragefang is trying to undermine me as an authority in this investigation. Based soleley on the fact that Genevra and Nynra know each other. Since Genevra wouldn't hand Nynra over to be questioned and subsiquently executed by a mob, Ragefang is throwing dirt to get Nynra turned over. I believe he intends to incite an uprising, intentionally defying any official rulings in the matter if his bloodlust isn't sated."

Orwyn hadn't looked surprised in a long time, but there was a glimmer of it in his eye. "Undermine *you*? You're a Lieutenant Commander in the Stormwind Military. He thinks you don't understand what duty is?"

"He's a bloodthirsty dog with an agenda. I'm surprised he understands anything more than smashing things and throwing a tantrum."

Orwyn chuckled. "He's not exactly the most popular person right now. Not sure how he'd succeed in causing an uprising."

"You know how this goes, Orwyn. Crazies attract crazies."

"Plenty of crazy these days, true."

Narnicka paused for a moment, deciding to stop beating around the bush. "I called you here to see if the Watch would be willing to ensure Gondorin continues doing nothing but barking for now. If he bites, I wanna know he can't wave around his imaginary immunity and dissuade action. Contrary to what Gondorin thinks, Mograine won't do a damn thing to stop us from taking a couple hell-raisers down in Stormwind. That deader won't jeopardize an ally in the Alliance over two bloodhounds. If you include Artimus in that."

"He hasn't technically committed any crime... but there are some creative things we could do to limit his influence, I'm sure. All completely by-the-book and legitimate, of course."

"Provoking civil unrest is a crime that isn't clearly defined, and is really up to the interperetation of a jury. But it's definetly enough to manage an arrest and throw his a** in a hole to remind him who's city he's causing problems in."

With that, Narnicka covered a yawn. "I should head home to get some rest. You should too, Orwyn," He says, setting a hand firmly on the Inspector's shoulder as he passed.

Orwyn chuckled again. "Will do."

Narnicka knew what that meant. Another mini-nap to pass for a night's rest.

((I would write something quite nice to Mr. Ragefang if I wasn't hiding in a cavern somewhere >.>))

((Narn, find me in the game tonight after the OS3D25 run! Details to be worked out for funzies! It'll be an OOC meeting.))

The only warning had been a quite rustling outside the door.

Narnicka looked up from a file he'd been reading in front of the fireplace in his home. The evening sun had set, but a few shadows were still visible under the front door. It seemed strange to Narnicka that anyone would be visiting now, and Genevra wouldn't be loitering near the door if she'd come home already.

The door burst off its hinges, turning end over end until it collided with with Narnicka at top speed, sending him to the floor.

Dazed and struggling to collect himself, Narnicka only had a moment to catch a breath before plate boots rapidly crossed the floor from the entrance and crashed into him. Narnicka heard a chuckle as his assailant hefted him off the floor and onto the wall. "Well well, this is the Commander Narnicka that has been harassing Artimus and oppressing Gondorin!"

Narnicka's eyes focussed enough to look at who was talking.

A human death knight, easily a half foot taller than Narnicka was holding him up off his feet. Behind the attacker were two more death knights, all three of which bore the armor of Ebon Blade knights.

"Anything to say before we fin--" The death knight holding Narnicka was suddenly thrown to the side when the fire in the fireplace erupted, blasting the unsuspecting undead into the wall. After a few moments of near-blinding light, a scorch mark on the stone wall was all that remained above a motionless skeleton in welded armor. Narnicka may have disposed of one, but the other two quickly moved in, swords drawn.

Having no weapon to defend himself with, Narnicka could resist for only a few moments before his assailants got the better of him, and all went dark...

Thank the Light, he had listened.

Nynra was already on her way to Stormwind as she thought of this, replaying the conversation between her and Gondorin over and over in her head. She knew that there was a chance to end this strife now, and prayed that it would end quickly. If Ragefang would retract his accusations... she would be safer, at least. Safe to remain home.

But while she flew, she still felt afraid... fearful that the Presidium or Artimus would hunt her until she hung from their fireplace, a trophy in their "victory" against the Horde.

And that made her think of what Gondorin had said...

I fight to bring this war to an end as quickly and decisively as possible, so that peace for all Azeroth can occur.

Even the Horde.

They weren't different, in retrospect. Both Nynra and Ragefang wanted peace and happiness for both sides, but had different ways of going about it; he chose the sword, she chose the cross.

Regardless, she had to speak with Orwyn, or one guard. With the accusations removed, a simple talk was all that would be needed.

She hoped.

Artimus Devaneaux stood at one of the runeforges in Acherus, repairing his weapon. Kaellar had chucked the battleaxe into a rock-hard ruin of a ballista outside Andorhal, cracking the haft in two. The blade was unharmed, but repairing the handle would take time.

He felt a presence behind him and knew exactly who it was before he spoke. "Did my attache find you, Artimus?" Gondorin Ragefang asked him.

"She did," he replied without turning. "And so did the Stoneheardts' whelps. Nearly."

"I've just returned from meeting with Nynra."

Artimus did turn at that. "Meeting?" At his comrade's nod, he looked him over. "I don't see her head."

"She privately asked to meet with me, unarmed."

Artimus' eyebrow rose. "She does this, knowing she is hunted?"

"She did. Bravery or foolishness, depending on the perspective."

It sounded like damned stupidity to him, but he held his tongue. "Well, she'll have one less defender, at any rate," he commented. "It seems young Ulthryn Arold has more sight than the rest of them...if not for him, we would be having this conversation in the Stockade, not here."

"I heard you were nearly captured," Ragefang commented.

The Baron nodded. "Kaellar and the Forsaken witch, joined by Ulthryn." He smiled. "I...managed to illuminate Ulthryn's ignorance. He knows exactly what kind of monster Genevra and her family harbors."

"For what it's worth, while her actions were unconscionably stupid, I don't believe Nynra Lightheart to have Forsaken sympathies."

Artimus frowned; that was a far cry from the things he'd said before. "All her kind have Forsaken sympathies. She's just better at playing the sympathy card. All this talk of...peace treaties!" He looked like he wanted to spit. "What work is that, if not of a spy, trying to weaken us from within?"

"Need I remind you we're as undead as she is," Ragefang pointed out, "and were raised by a monster who still, if only slightly, outpaces the Windrunner corpse?" He put a clawed hand on Artimus' shoulderguard. "This will not affect the war, Artimus, have no worry. My resolve is as steely as it ever has been. Those who support Garrosh and/or Sylvanas need to be eradicated to the point that recent history even forgets their names in horror."

"And the pacifist weaklings?"

"Will be thoroughly indebted to us when we stand at the entrance to their subterranean retreats and say, 'You may come into the light again. We saved your lives.'"

The Baron snorted. "Gratitude comes slowly to such folk." But he thought over the idea, liking the sound of it. "Nonetheless...it would be nice to see them all grovel."

Ragefang grinned. "We aren't going to die unless we're killed, Artimus. We can afford to be patient."

He returned the grin with an icy smile of his own. "Perhaps..."

"Long after they have rotted to dust, Artimus, we will remain," the worgen continued. "This world is ours, they just don't realize it yet. In the meantime, if you've been exonerated, the war effort could use your contributions. More appropriately, the Ebon Sanction could use your experience." Ragefang thought for a moment. "Though to be honest, you'd be welcome in the Sanction even if you hadn't been exonerated. I know justice when I see it."

"You'd have to ask the Watch about that," the Baron replied, shaking his head. "As far as I know, there's still a hit out for my capture." He tapped a finger against his chin thoughtfully. Then he laughed. "Still...not like they can do diddly squat. For every fool, there will be an intelligent man to aid us, hmm?"

"They aren't going to capture you if you're at the forefront of an offensive with me and those in Pia who will fight. Imperon also gives his people to the effort. Go into that war with the Sanction's banner." Ragefang chuckled darkly. "If only because when all is said and done, and the dust has settled, we know the score."

Artimus was silent for a moment, considering the offer. Ragefang was prosecuting a war against the Horde that others did not have the stomach to fight. A war that needed people like them to fight - people who knew the price of war. The alternative was to sit here and rot like some snivelling coward, watching it happen from the sidelines. He knew what choice he had to make. "Very well, Gondorin," he said at last. "We'll play this your way."

"Stay hidden here when there is no offensive, until this ridiculousness can be cleared up."

The Baron nodded. "You will know where to find me, then."

"Will you join the Sanction? I would be honored."

He inclined his head in reply. "I am at your service."

((cont'd))

Ragefang smiled and nodded. "We will speak soon, Artimus. The Horde won't know what hit them."

"And what of the Stoneheardts and their ilk? One of our own - a knight of Acherus - did attempt to assassinate Narnicka." He had heard it enough from his brothers here. "We are suspect."

"For now, I'm going to trust the Watch's investigation. You and I both know this was not an action sanctioned by the Ebon Blade." Artimus nodded at that. "I don't want Narnicka harmed. He's too useful in the war. THough perhaps that use is greatly diminished now."

The Baron chuckled. "Another benefit of our 'gifts', eh?"

"It's useful to heal so fast," Ragefang agreed. "I should go speak with Gentyl regarding Nynra. Our next assault should come soon. Your blade will be most welcome."

"Of course."

Ragefang turned and began walking to the balcony, then turned back. "We'll have you exonerated, Artimus. I promise this."

Artimus nodded. What a fool I was to trust Saavedro and his kind, he thought as he watched Ragefang leave. My comrades, my true comrades, are here. I will trust no one else.

The letter was dictated to his aide. Voldarr had expressed some concern over the shortness and bluntness of the missive, but Lahkin didn't care. Let people not be afraid to speak frankly for once. Flowery language and polished vainglory only served to hide the real misdoings. It was time someone was honest.

Sir Artimus Devaneaux,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I've heard rumors flying everywhere, and I'm not sure which I believe to be true. Some of them include you gone mad, you assaulting an innocent priestess of the Light, and you being the one man who's got a lick of sense in this whole Alliance.

As for me, I just want to know the truth, as heard from your lips. Or from your pen, should transportation to Aerie Peak be unable to be secured. I invite you to speak with me.

If you do come, I suggest you come under disguise. As you probably know, you're being hunted. I just want a talk, not to see more innocent people killed under the machine of this...civil war or whatever is going on.

In good faith, yours truly,
Lahkin Stoneheardt
Commander of the Terra Incognita.

Posted on the Heroes' Call boards in all Alliance cities, as well as in front of the Cathedral of the Light in Stormwind:

To the Alliance:

Let it be known that the recent attack against Narnicka Stoneheardt in Lakeshire, purported to have been perpetrated by members of the Ebon Blade, is formally decried by the Knights of the Ebon Blade, under the command of Highlord Darion Mograine. This formal disavowal and disapproval of this heinous act is approved by Highlord Mograine himself, and it is to be understood that the Ebon Hold will do all in its power to insure full cooperation with the investigation by the Stormwind City Watch so that the criminals may be apprehended and brought to justice. It is not the purview of the Knights of the Ebon Blade to involve itself in any official capacity in investigations relating to Alliance law, nor to violently dissuade inquiries into the activities of the individual Knights, Gondorin Ragefang and Artimus Devaneaux, as relates to ongoing official Stormwind investigations.

This letter is penned by the hand of Gondorin Ragefang by direct order from Acherus' chain of command, ending with Highlord Mograine. Inquiries may be directed to Commander Ragefang as interested parties see fit.

In the shadows, there is Light.
The Order of the Ebon Blade

Placed next to the letter is another, written with less formal presentation.

To the heroes of the Alliance:

It should be understood that I personally decry the attack on Lt. Commander Stoneheardt, and will do all I'm able to personally assist in bringing his assailants to the justice of Stormwind's crown.

As relates to my personal participation in accusations against Nynra Lightheart of having Forsaken sympathies, I now officially withdraw those accusations, and will no longer personally pursue insistent inquiry into her loyalties. Any future investigations into her loyalties are not requested by me.

Let this also serve as a public apology to the Stoneheardt family in Lakeshire, key among them Lt. Commander Narnicka Stoneheardt and his wife, Genevra: my actions have been unconscionable, and while well motivated, improperly implemented, to the detriment of your family's good name. I have no concerns of your allegiance to our grand Alliance, and have every confidence of your desire to see the Alliance maintain strength, peace and well-being for all its constituents. Please accept my humble apologies for the fervent declarations of the past, as they were in error.

This is a time of war, Alliance, and the horrors from Orgrimmar and Undercity have gained a foothold in our serenity from my actions that they should not have garnered. We must pull together to remove the war criminal Garrosh Hellscream from Orgrimmar's throne in hopes of a more sensible personage representing the orcs and the Horde at large, and we must insure Sylvanas Windrunner is properly tried and executed for her crimes against Life and the Light. We are an Alliance, not a squabbling collective who occasionally shares military formations.

Let us now proceed as an Alliance.

Gondorin Ragefang
Commander, The Ebon Sanction
Knight of the Ebon Blade