William King - Illidan

Maiev circled behind them, scouting the area. There were no signs of any enemy infiltration. No Broken hid in the shadows. In the distance she heard the growl of a nightsaber. A wind elemental roared across the evening sky.

She stepped out of the shadows. The strangers’ leader flinched at her sudden appearance, but he recovered his composure.

“Greetings,” he said.

“What is going on here?” Maiev said.

“We could ask you the same thing. You are on Kurenai land, eating Kurenai beasts. It seems to me that we should be asking the questions.” Maiev had heard of the Kurenai; they were another faction of Broken, one that owed no allegiance to Akama and his Ashtongue tribe.

“I saw no brand on these clefthoof; there were no herders, either.”

“These are our hunting grounds. We have not given you guest rights.”

Maiev considered this. With calculated insolence she ran her eyes over the newcomers, making it clear she was counting their numbers. She then looked at her own force. The strangers were outnumbered by twenty to one.

The Broken laughed. “You have an army. The people of Telaar also have an army if things come to that. Our army is bigger than yours.”

“But it is not here,” said Maiev. Anyndra emerged from the gathering gloom. A shriek told her that Sarius was watching from on high, changed into the shape of a bird.

“It could be. If I sounded this horn.”

“I could put an arrow through your eye before it reached your lips,” Anyndra said. Maiev glared at her. Now was not the time for displays of archery prowess. There was nothing to be gained by picking a fight with these Broken.

“We meant to give no offense,” Maiev said. “We are strangers passing through this land, and we sought only food and shelter.”

“You should have come to Telaar. Our people would have provided you with both, and perhaps other things beside.” The Broken looked at her camp again. “So many young draenei led by so few strangers. There is a story here that Arechron would like to hear.”

Maiev perked up at that. Perhaps there were allies to be gained—maybe even an entire army. “I am sure we have much to tell each other. If it suits you, I will guide my people to your city and have words with your Arechron.”

“I will leave some of my people to be your guides as I go ahead to give notice of your coming.”

Maiev hoped he was not merely heading off to prepare a trap.

Telaar was an impressively fortified place. Situated on top of a flat mountain peak that rose above a deep valley, it had no need of walls. The only approaches were over rope bridges or from the air. Unless they used magic or flyers, any foe would find it a difficult place to besiege.

The rope bridge swayed beneath the paws of Maiev’s nightsaber. The great cat stalked on, but she could sense its pulse increase as it looked down. Through the slats of the bridge, Maiev could see the ground a long way below. If the Broken wanted to kill her people, all they would have to do was cut the ropes supporting the bridge. Of course, that would mean killing the Broken and draenei with them. Maiev had known enough leaders willing to sacrifice their own people to achieve their ends that she did not discount the possibility.

A crowd lined the edges of the town, trying to get a glimpse of the approaching force. They did not push or shove one another, but they did not have the lassitude she had come to associate with the Broken, either. They appeared to be armed and no doubt would fight if they had to.

It was with a sense of relief that Maiev rode off from the bridge. She paused to look over her shoulder and check on her people. She was happy to see that they were still there. Apparently Arechron planned no treachery. Not yet, anyway.

In the middle of the crowd, surrounded by spear-bearers, stood a particularly huge Broken of noble aspect. He was garbed in impressive armor of orange and purple. Four long tendrils descended from his face. His tail swished as he moved.

“ Achal hecta, and welcome to Telaar,” he said. “I am Arechron and I would give you welcome in my house.”

Maiev said, “I thank you for your hospitality and look forward to speaking with you.”

They rode along the mosaic-patterned road, through the open spaces of Telaar. Around them rose the odd, domed buildings so typical of draenei architecture.

Maiev studied it all with the eye of a veteran fighter. She noted the areas where ambushes might be sprung or archers could be placed. Every moment, she half expected to be attacked. She had spent so long in the field these past few years that every town felt like a trap, and every citizen a potential enemy. The knowledge saddened her, but she did not relax her vigilance.

Maiev glanced across the low table, studying Arechron. The Broken had an open, honest face and a welcoming manner, but she had long ago learned that such things could be deceptive. She was determined not to let down her guard even for a moment, although she gave no sign of her suspicions.

The chamber walls curved. Thick carpets lay strewn on the floor. A Broken boy pulled aside a beaded curtain and stared in, quite clearly fascinated by the newcomer. Maiev met his gaze.

“Corki,” said Arechron, “go to sleep. It is past your bedtime and I have business to discuss with our new friend.”

“Yes, Father,” said Corki. He made no move to go.

“Corki!”

“Yes, Father?”

“Do as you are told, or there will be consequences.”

“Yes, Father.” The child’s hooves clopped on the stone floor as he skipped away.

“He is a good boy, but I indulge him too much,” Arechron said.

Maiev agreed, but it did not seem politic to say so. “You are his father.”

“I worry about him sometimes,” Arechron said.

Maiev saw her opportunity. “As a parent, you have a lot to worry about. We live in dark times, and they are getting darker.”

Arechron nodded his head. “You speak the truth, but the Light will preserve us. It always has, and it always will.”

“I wish I shared your faith,” Maiev said.

Before she could say anything further, the Broken interrupted her. “Faith in the Light is open to all. All you need do is believe.”

Maiev saw a quagmire of theological debate yawning before her. “Oh, I am sure that the Light watches over us. I am not so sure that it can protect us for very much longer. The Betrayer seeks dominion over Outland. Already he has recruited tens of thousands of fel orcs and other monstrous beings. I have seen the naga working on great magical engines amid the waters of Coilfang Reservoir. I cannot believe that they are up to anything good. I know their leader, Lady Vashj. Believe me, she is wicked.”

Maiev let her sense of urgency show in her voice. It was a speech she had given many times before, and it had succeeded in convincing the draenei youths who had joined her force. But Arechron was not a youth. He was an experienced leader, albeit with a sentimental weakness for his son. That was her best line of attack. “If you wish your child to have a safe future, you must do something soon, before Illidan the Betrayer has overwhelming forces at his disposal.”

Arechron raised both hands in her direction, palms out. He gave her a good-humored smile and said, “You do not need to convince me of the threat that Illidan poses.”

“Then I can count upon your help in the coming struggle.”

Arechron gave a small shrug. “It is not quite that simple.”

Maiev forced a smile upon her face. “I find that such is nearly always the case in Outland.”

“I have heard of you, Maiev the warden. I have heard of the way you go from town to town and village to village in search of soldiers for your crusade against the one you call the Betrayer. I have heard that some of the younger and more impetuous draenei follow you. I am neither young nor impetuous.”