//------------------------------// // Level 20: Miss Communication // Story: Equestria Was Merely a Setback! // by Thunderscourge //------------------------------// A/N: Special thanks to refferee, SilentMech, nioniosbbbb, Quixotic Enigma, Freya, and thatguy45 for your comments last chapter! I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think in the comments below! Really could use the support now! “Your wish to speak for him?” Lavitz nodded silently, his eyes averted to the ground as he knelt before his lord. While the soldier knew this could be considered an act of defiance, he had already decided that he had to do everything he could for the Elven Lord whose act of bravery had both felled the Defias and saved the soldier’s life. The fact that a respected soldier was willing to stand up for the supposed real Kael’thas Sunstrider had an impact on Varian, who calmed down and let Kael’thas go. “Very well.” Trixie rushed to Kael’s side and helped him recover from being lifted and promptly dropped, but once he was steady they turned their attention to their Warrior friend. The King took his seat while Lavitz stood back up and saluted his lord and finally looked him in the eye again with a determined gaze. “With my experience, I wholly believe this man to be the true Sunstrider heir. He has displayed the selflessness and determination that my father used to describe the Lord of the Elves, and no wicked or selfish man I know would have gone to the lengths he has to do such commendable deeds as he has. He will be a hero to Westfall now, and, while I do not know of this other being he says has taken his place, I can say with conviction that this man is who he says he is.” Kael felt his shoulders sag a little in relaxation as he realized that he just may be able to pull out of this thanks to his newfound companion. Trixie, standing beside him, had her unconscious grip on his arm loosen as she heard Lavitz speak. He had known them for such a brief period of time, but his gratitude was genuine and his intuition seemingly quick on the mark…she was actually kind of disappointed that he was a soldier of Stormwind and that they wouldn’t be able to take him with them. While Reuenthal and Mitter’meyer would be too high-profile to accompany them given their collective duties, Lavitz had already been missing for months and no doubt had been replaced in his absence. The King seemed to take his soldier’s words to heart, as he nodded along as Lavitz spoke and his hawkish gaze made it seem as if he was mulling over every word. “Very well then,” Wrynn looked to Kael with a piercing stare, “Sunstrider, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. Upon having heard reports of Silvermoon being assaulted by Fel Orcs under the leadership of that brute Kargath and his handler, the traitorous Kael’thas Sunstrider, I have good reason to distrust your name. Few are more deplorable than those who, in power, would betray the trust of their country and people for their own personal desires.” Trixie returned the fierce expression, not that any eyes were on her at the moment: she felt a need to be an idol in her own right, but of course she had partnered with someone who eclipsed her by merely existing…but hopefully that would change when she proved her mettle in the previously mentioned “Arena”. Varian looked over to his adviser Lady Prestor and then back to Kael when she gave the King a small nod. Before he could continue his decree, Lavitz spoke up once again to try and affirm the point of Kael’s identity. “This being said, I have absolutely no doubt that the other Kael’thas is a fraud who is a pale imitation of the one I have known through my father. While at times desperate and willing to do anything for his people, Kael’thas Sunstrider would never have turned on them. They were his life, and every decision he made was for their sake.” The selfless behavior proscribed made Kael feel sick to his stomach about the events of Silvermoon City. Kael had wanted to do something, but people far more powerful than he were slain without remorse…he had run, and now he was playing politics to buy himself more time. Outside survival, what did he even truly want? To return to the throne he was seemingly removed from? Kael looked to his side, where Trixie was still gripping his arm without her even seemingly noticing it. She was the one who longed for something, and because of his own baggage she continually had to put her own quest on hold…but she would not leave his side, he could tell that much by this point. She was a lonely soul who needed someone else even if she did not say so out loud, and so perhaps he could be content to merely give her that companionship. He moved a hand to touch where hers was gripping his arm, and she relaxed at his touch while also slightly jumping at the sudden contact since she had not realized her own, “I was there when he appeared in Silvermoon. Fortunately I managed to slip by unnoticed thanks to the aid of some loyalists, but I am afraid I do not know of the outcome of the invasion. It would have been certain death for me to confront them all in my current condition, that of a man whose powers have been stripped from him both politically and in magical ability.” “So then, why do you come before me today, Sunstrider? Our people are no longer allied. I have no obligation to put you back on your throne.” Kael wanted to say by accident, not expecting the King to be at the very front of the castle, but that would cause him to lose face and appear a liar and fraud. In the second it took Kael to formulate a response Trixie spoke up instead, “No. You don’t. But who would you rather have in power: a man who kills his own kind and abuses his power for nefarious reasons, or a man who is indebted to you and desires to make peace, even despite the wrongs your people have wrought upon our own under the reigns of Garithos?” Mentioning the wrongs inflicted upon the Elves by the Humans years ago seemed to leave its mark on the King, who gained a visage of sorrow as his mind turned back to that dreadful conflict. Seeking to bank on this feeling, Kael followed up on Trixie’s momentum. “You can make right what was set wrong years ago. I do not wish for war with anyone, especially not those who until recently were our allies.” The Warrior King nodded blankly and sunk back in his seat as he finished mulling over the past. Once his mind was set straight he stood up again and approached them, offering a gauntlet-covered hand to Kael for a handshake, “If you are serious about your supposed noble intentions, I will give you a task. Succeed, and I will consider you a man of honor who can be negotiated with without prejudice or distrust. Fail, and you are not the Kael’thas that once could ward off armies of the Scourge to protect his people.” Kael hesitated to return the extended hand at first, not knowing what he was about to sign on to, but he realized that he really did not have any other option and to avoid being rude he took the hand in his own. The King’s grip was like that of a bear, and while Kael tried to not appear weak by using all of the strength he could muster in return, he could tell that the King was not even trying to be firm in his grip. “And this quest you ask of us?” Varian smiled at Kael and let go, to the Elf’s silent comfort and relief, “There is an organization that has plagued this land in recent years, known as the Scarlet Crusade. They seek to wipe out the Undead, no matter what form it takes, and to do this they have waged a war on the world itself. They are enemies to all, and they divide the strength of my people by diverting them to this secondary cause.” The King turned back to his guards and gestured them to come closer. This done, he looked back to Kael. “Until you are to leave for the task, you will stay here under our care.” “No.” Kael felt his eyes widen in fear as he realized the noise had come from beside him from none other than Trixie. He knew she could be obstinate, but to speak against a King… Varian gave Trixie a wary look, his previous apprehension now beginning to turn towards her, “You have something to say, Miss?” Unlike everyone else in the room, Trixie did not seem to give a damn that she was being glared at by royalty. Perhaps it was haughty arrogance and perhaps it was a result of her shock from the Defias events, but no matter what it was born from she would not give this man an inch if she could so help it. “You may claim it is for his protection, but ordering him to stay here sounds awfully like imprisonment, especially given that we have no way of knowing you’ll ever let him leave,” Trixie scoffed as she gestured to Kael, “What do you think he is going to do if you just let him go? Take over all of Stormwind without an army? He is no threat, so you needn’t fear him.” “You really do care,” Kael joked under his breath, and the implications were not lost upon Trixie who instantly scoffed at him as well. “I just hate uppity people who think they can just have their way because of who they are. Guards do this, servants do that,” sensing the coming outburst from Varian, Trixie gave him a smug smile and a polite bow, “And I know your Grace is not some bureaucrat who just bosses others around for no reason, so I see no reason for one King to tell another what to do.” Varian was not ready for that day. He looked on at the two Elves with a mixture of anger, confusion, and admiration. He had half a mind to have the wench punished for her tongue, but he could sense that there truly was a bond between the two…whatever it may be. Last he heard, Kael’thas was hopelessly smitten with Jaina…fortunately she was not directly in that room at the time or else things might become awkward. Jailing the consort/partner/whatever she was of a possible future allied King…that would be less than diplomatic, even if she was smug and very jail-able. Continuing her audacious declaration, Trixie remained as hammy as she could in order to keep the befuddlement of the King going, “So you can’t have him. Kael and I have an agreement. A contract of sorts, and he will be accompanying me to fulfill his agreement with me just as he will fulfill his new one to you.” Her words finished, Varian began weighing the risks of letting Kael go out on the streets against the political scandal if he was found out to be keeping the Elven Prince seemingly ‘hostage’…and the scandal if Kael was murdered on the streets. “Is this true, Sunstrider?” Kael nodded, not knowing what to say without appearing emasculated given Trixie’s near claim of ownership of him. Her claim confirmed, Varian decided he would have someone cure him of his growing headache when this was over so he could think clearly. He had been having them more recently, and this was certainly one of those occasions. Still, he would not let her have the last laugh, and he decided to show her that he was being very forgiving of her behavior, “I can just have you imprisoned for daring to tell a King what to do.” Trixie shrugged as she lifted her nose up and struck a nonchalant pose, “I tell an uncrowned King what to do every day. What’s one more?” That actually made Varian laugh even as Kael’s head hung down in shame, the Prince only comforted by Lavitz who was laughing as well but also patting the poor man on the back. “What is your name, Elf? I care to know who dares cross a King with such boldness.” Trixie gave a curtsy to him, pleased with her own performance, “Trixie Lulamoon. Not a household name yet, but I intend to change that soon.” “A fame-seeker, I see,” the King nodded as if he suddenly understood her, “If you destroy a sizeable portion of the Scarlet Crusade you will surely receive the fame you seek.” “I don’t think so. I am not a killer. I am not some mercenary-rabid dog you can point at others and watch as they are ripped to tatters. So no.” “Trixie,” Kael grit his teeth. She was getting away with a lot, but he did not want her to push the envelope too far. Fortunately, Trixie was not turning down the request, merely shifting the goals, “If these people truly are a menace, we will deal with them accordingly. I will not murder for you, but when I return with your task of defeating them accomplished.” “You believe you can defeat the Scarlet Crusade without shedding blood?” Varian snorted derisively, “I apologize, but perhaps I expected too much of you. You are clearly insane.” “I ask that you remember that when we return,” Trixie bowed once again, “Now, returning to an earlier matter, I know that you may be willing to reward us for our conflict with the Defias, but we graciously refuse any direct compensation for the deed.” While he was ready to write her off as a crazy fancy of the Elven Prince, her words struck the Warrior and made his amusement halt. She was refusing to be rewarded? For what ulterior motive? “Oh?” Truth be told, Trixie did not believe profiting off the death of the unfortunate souls who had come to rebel against Stormwind would be a moral thing to do. She did not regret escaping them, but she would not walk in the footsteps of the amoral Humans who had defeated the Brotherhood the first time. Still, to not appear weak, Trixie would leave out that detail. She knew not if the King would be receptive to any Brotherhood sympathies, so she dared not test it when she was already on thin ice. “I will spare you the reasons, but I only ask that you provide us with reparations for the damage incurred upon our persons. Not a reward, just a gift to assist your newfound allies.” Clothes, supplies…things they would need to accomplish his given quest, and things that Trixie would very much like to have. Not exactly a net gain given how things turned out, so it was not payment so much as it was what she said: reparations for what they endured. Lady Prestor leaned in to whisper to the King’s ear and he reacted by sighing and turning his attention to one of the corridors leading away from the throne. After she finished he turned back to Kael and Trixie. “You two are free to leave. I will have an agent of mine supply you with information, and your lost and damaged belongings will be replaced. I have other matters to attend to,” he began to leave with his adviser, “See to it that you stay low, Sunstrider, and do not linger long enough for others to identify you. Your secret is safe within our walls, but outside…” Before he could get far, he was interrupted by the sound of metal clanking on the ground as a soldier hastily knelt down. “My lord, if I may, I would like to accompany Lord Sunstrider.” Varian turned back to see his newly returned soldier kneeling before him once again. The sudden request took the King by surprise, as he had expected Lavitz to actually follow him while the other two would leave. For the man to ask permission to chaperone the Prince…Varian was once again caught off guard. Despite the man’s wishes though, the King did not believe it to be a wise decision, “You are in no condition to serve as a soldier, Lavitz. You ought to rest and recover.” Lavitz continued to bow his head as both Kael and Trixie beside him tried to hide their joy, “I may not be able to serve on the frontlines of our conflict as-is, but I believe myself capable of confronting the Scarlet Crusade and any interlopers who may interfere. I can travel with these two and regain my strength along the path, and then return to service when I am able enough to do so. I believe that protecting him until he can resume his mantle as Lord of the Blood Elves will serve in Stormwind’s best interests, as having the aforementioned tyrant left unchecked will lead us to more conflict, and further unnecessary bloodshed will not do our people any good.” Lady Prestor gestured to the path Varian had been on, trying to urge this conversation along, “My King, the war council is meeting now. We should not delay.” “Very well,” Wrynn sighed as he shook his head and then smiled to his dutiful servant now asking permission to leave, “Lavitz, you have my permission to accompany them. I will have details on the Scarlet Crusade drafted so you can confront them with foreknowledge, so do not leave too soon. Visit your mother perhaps.” “Thank you my lord.” Before Varian moved to leave again he gave one last look to Trixie and Kael, his look earnest, “Good luck. I mean that.” With the King departed and the guards and Lady Prestor following him, that left the trio who had escaped the Defias mostly alone except for guards posted further down the hallways and by where they came in. Free to then talk, Lavitz turned to face the others with a grin on his face. Kael quietly thanked him for joining them with a nod, while Trixie gave the soldier a brief hug in thanks. “Now, we have some time before we head out, but we should not dawdle too long as my Lord warned. Still, some time is needed, so there are item shops, weapon shops, and my home of course!” the soldier’s face lit up as he thought about his home, his blonde hair not nearly as radiant as his face as he beamed, “Please meet my mother! She will be happy to see you because she hasn't had guests for a while, I reckon!" Trixie gave a soft laugh as she felt her stomach rumble, “I sure could use a good rest and meal after everything.” Kael nodded, agreeing that stopping by the soldier’s house would be a good choice for them, “Let us go there first, then.” The trio left behind the modest throne and returned to the entrance where they could leave for the rest of the town. “Lord Wrynn, I am unsure about—wait, is that…” A woman with blonde hair was rushing towards where the War Council was meeting when she caught sight of someone leaving the castle. “K-Kael?” The Prince did not hear her, instead laughing as he and Lavitz joked about Trixie’s near suicidal approach to speaking to Wrynn. Trixie, who was a couple feet behind the two fast friends, did hear the woman’s voice though and turned to face where it came from. Eyes glowing of magic, blonde hair, the clothes of a Mage, being Human, and knowing Kael… Trixie was not quite sure, but she had a feeling she was looking at the “Jaina” she had been told about. The one who had spurned Kael to instead court the evil Prince Arthas. “Kael, wait!” Trixie turned back around and hurried to catch up with the other two, making no mention of the woman calling after them as they all soon slipped into Stormwind’s heavily crowded streets. It took some time, but it was not even mid-day when the three arrived at a comfortable looking home that was away from the main commotion of the city. Fortunately with all the people rushing by it had been easy for the two Elves to hide in plain sight, as they were not doing anything to draw attention to themselves and the common people likely could not tell the difference between a High Elf and a Blood Elf like many others so those that did notice a long ear or a glowing pair of eyes did not pay much mind to them. The front door was unlocked when they returned, and the ecstatic soldier barged in just as happily as Trixie was sure Mitter’meyer had been when he had returned home after his capture and torture. The two Elves followed meekly in behind him, being the guests, each observing the inner portion of the house as they entered. "Mom! I'm home!" The thought that this was the fearsome Warrior who could display superhuman stamina and strength made both Trixie and Kael share a glance of amusement, but they kept quiet to not rain on his parade. The inside of the house was similar to its outside: nice and comfortable, with a great deal of things to make it cozy though it was not the largest. Overall it appeared to be a less refined version of Mitter’meyer’s home, which had magic here and there to aid with common things such as light sources, while this one had no such arcane trinkets. A woman who looked to be past her prime yet not ancient rushed out into the house’s foyer, where she took no time to hug her son, "Oh Lavitz! I’m so glad you’re home! I was worried because I didn't hear from you for such a long time!" "The Horde’s resistance was tougher than I thought. But don't worry. We defeated them!" Lavitz lied with a laugh, his absolutely beaming face not betraying the fact that he was hiding the truth. His mother let him go and took a step back to look at him, "Your late father would be proud to hear that." "Lavitz, what about the Deadmines?" Kael questioned, not instantly getting why Lavitz was bringing up the Horde instead of the Defias. “Don't mention that to her!” Trixie harshly whispered back in a low enough voice that Lavitz’s mother could not hear. Lavitz turned back to face them and whispered as well, “Sorry, but I don't want her to be worried, so let’s not bring that or your real identity up,” he gestured back to Kael and laughed it off, "I don't know what he is talking about." "Well, fine. I am already happy just having you come home, but...” It was then that Lavitz realized that the attention had moved off of him and onto Trixie, who stood behind him and to his right with Kael to her own right. “You brought a bride with you! My wonderful son!" Kael laughed, Trixie blanched, and Lavitz blushed as he tried to cut his mother off from hugging Trixie too. "Mom! She is not!" "Oh, don't be shy. What's your name?" the friendly woman asked Trixie, who was still caught off guard by the sudden proclamation born of ignorance. “T—Trixie, ma’am.” Her son’s declaration did not deter Lavitz’s mother from thinking what she wanted to think, "Trixie, my son is a little awkward and stubborn. But he is very sweet natured." Kael calmed down from his laughter and shook his head, “He is, but I’m afraid to say they are not together.” Lavitz guided Trixie with a hand so that she was standing next to her original partner, "He is right. She is Kael’s sweetheart." "He—Hey!! When did I become Kael’s—" Kael cut his flustered partner off and wrapped an arm around her, seeing already that the only way that they could convince this overbearing mother that Trixie was not Lavitz’s wife was that she was someone else’s, "It's true. I...I am Trixie’s partner." "Wha…I…” Trixie gawked. She understood what the two were doing, but she was still overwhelmed by suddenly having her relationship fake-upgraded with her close friend. That all seemed to get through to Lavitz’s mother, as she bowed her head in apology, "Oh! Please excuse me. Take good care of Trixie." Trixie blushed as she realized she was now stuck in a fake relationship with Kael…again, "Well...I, I don't know what to say…” she glanced at Lavitz and whispered again, “What’s going on?” He shook his head solemnly as he responded quietly, “Once my mom gets an idea into her head, that's the end. That's the only way we can manage her.” "Lavitz, please find somebody like her so that I can hold a grandchild in my arms. You are not a child anymore." He held his hands up in protestation, embarrassed that she was being like this in front of company, "Yeah, I know, I know." "And, you'll stay here today, honey?" his mother requested. Lavitz sighed and shook his head, "Well, I was commanded to confront the Scarlet Crusade so I have to leave as soon as...." His mother, the former wife of a soldier and the mother of one, nodded in understanding even if it made her sad that she could not spend much more time with him, "Oh well, I understand. But you can have at least lunch, can't you? It'll be ready soon, honey, and there is enough for everyone." Trixie smiled and followed after the woman as she head towards the back of the house where a kitchen was. She had helped Evangeline before, so she thought herself capable of helping once again in thanks for receiving a free meal, "I'll give you a hand!" "Oh, there's no need....” the hostess paused as she thought for a moment, only to then come up with a thought that made sense to only her, “But, then again, maybe..." "It would be my pleasure," Trixie offered, and that settled the matter, leaving both Kael and Lavitz alone in the foyer. Seeing Trixie leave made Kael feel guilty, since he didn’t want to make Trixie do all the helping since they were both guests. "Shall we help them?" Lavitz turned to him and tilted his head, "Can you cook?" “Not really yet, but I am good with fire…” That was enough to get Lavitz shaking his head, “Let us leave the cooking to them then. I’m sure she is better than you.” Kael snorted as he thought of Trixie’s eating habits, “If you only want to eat bread, I am sure you’re right. How about we take a nap then while we wait?” “…” “What? I sense I am being judged.” “Kael, act like man.” “Hey, getting enough sleep is important for your health and even your skin!” “…no. Any other great ideas? Practicing with our weapons in the middle of this hallway?” “Sure. You have any spare spears in the back you can use instead of the shoddy one you picked up?” “You’re hopeless.” Elsewhere on the continent, someone else was busy finishing their own lunch when a knock on their door stole their attention from the meal. She turned around to see that her open door had an elderly but physically strong man standing in its wake. “High General Abbendis,” the man politely greeted before giving her a small nod. She smiled as she turned around to face the man who had helped her and her father start this crusade against the Undead, “Grand Crusader Dathrohan, what brings you to me today?” “Is it such a travesty to visit an old friend?” the man smiled at her as he moved from the doorway to take a seat across from her. Slightly embarrassed, Abbendis smiled at the old man who did not look a day older than he had in the Third War, “Of course not. You are a friend to me as much as you were my father. What may I do for you?” The Old Man nodded and got right to business now that he was prompted a second time. Since her father’s passing Abbendis had taken to listening to other founding members of the Scarlet Crusade for wisdom, and among them Dathrohan appeared to be the smartest. She could not always remember him being like that, but perhaps in the early years of the Crusade he had simply been overshadowed and unable to display his absolute brilliance. Whatever he had to say had a great purpose, so she listened readily. “My scouts have reported that Undercity has planned an offensive against our frontlines, diverting effort into gaining ground rather than keeping it. I believe it would be wrong for us to withhold so many troops when they can better serve our cause elsewhere.” They had multiple fortresses and their forces were not exactly held tightly. They were spread thinner than High General Abbendis would have liked, but she did not want to lose ground and so she had her forces hold their ground and only seize new ground whenever Dathrohan had some great plan that would go off flawlessly. Still, his suggestion went against her common sense. She knew personally that she was more of a Warrior than a tactician, but she was by no means inept, “But that would leave us open to attack from the Alliance.” He nodded but offered a quick counter-point, “We can deal with that if that comes to be an issue, but first we must prevent our forces from being wiped out.” Pausing briefly, Abbendis thought it over. If they could repel the Undead quickly enough, they could then use those forces to come back and repel any attack from the Alliance who would likely use a smaller force than usual to infiltrate and take advantage of the Crusade’s re-assignment of forces. If timed correctly, this could work out wholly to their advantage. “I see what you mean. The Scarlet Monastery has many skilled warriors who can be reassigned elsewhere…keep some posted there, but I will leave the exact details up to you and the officers there.” Dathrohan stood up and smiled at the younger leader of the Crusade, giving her a respectful nod as he prepared to leave, “I am glad you agree. Farewell, High General.” “Farewell Grand Crusader,” She nodded back and watched as he walked out. Before she could resume eating her meal, another interruption came to be. A lowly page had come to her door and after engaging in trivial formalities explained why they were there. “High General, we found this package addressed to you. It is not magical in nature, so we do not believe it to be a trap.” The leader of the Crusade looked down at the sealed box and nodded. She gestured for him to place it down on her desk and he did so. “Thank you. Go about your duties.” Once he was gone she closed the door and quickly set about looking inside the package. Was it something important? Inside were only two things: a letter, and a rose. “I am used to admiring mail, but a rose?” Addressed to Brigitte Abbendis, the woman blushed as she read a letter of admiration about her staunch campaign against the Undead and many of her other merits, ending with seemingly thought out compliments of her dark red hair and the resolute nature of her steely-blue eyes. It was nice being admired by one’s subordinates…but it also would be nice if they had left a name at the end of the page. Being at the top was lonely. “Now if only I could find out who sent it…or find the one who spread that nasty rumor that I have a daughter. Really? At my age? Perverted nonsense…”