A Raven's Tale

66. - AZERITE

Best laid plans. As it turned out, we spent longer in Suramar than intended. Not only due to the excellent company of our Night Elf friends, but also our discussions on current affairs. It fitted in also with what my colleagues at the Kirin Tor had told us, although there were still some unconnected links.

Sarah and I exchanged a look. I knew with undeniable certainty, that as Illidan spoke, Sarah was already contemplating her role in the pending war. 

I also knew there was no possibility that I could - nor would - stop her from doing what we all were destined to do - fight to preserve our world.

As we dined with our hosts, Illidan told us the latest news on the Horde's Warchief, Sylvanas Windrunner. She had planned to lay siege to Stormwind after finding her sister, Vereesa, critically injured in Teldrassil. 

"Thankfully, High Overlord Saurfang had somehow managed to talk her out of attacking the city," Illidan concluded.

"But what happened to Vereesa? And who would benefit from harming her?" I asked.

"Who indeed?" Illidan voiced. "That question remains unanswered."

"Perhaps she was cajoled and made a target to induce Sylvanas' revenge on Stormwind; on the Alliance." Sarah offered.

"Yet Horde and Alliance had worked together to defeat the Legion, why would she initiate old feuds?" I replied. "And again, who benefits?"

"I believe the Great Tree itself was the reason Veressa was in Teldrassil," Arcaena answered.

Sarah and I looked askance before turning to our hosts for further explanation.

"The Great Tree was?" I braved. "Why do I sense doom in that one little word?"

"Because it is no more!" Illidan said as he stood abruptly. "It has been burned, destroyed, desecrated!" 

He drained his glass and thrust it in front of Arcaena. She clucked her tongue and snatched the glass from his hand, refilling it with more of the excellent vintage. 

"But why? And what of Darnassus? The people?" Sarah gasped as she reached for my hand, curling her fingers tightly around mine. We had friends in the Elven city, and I knew her thoughts had run to them.

Illidan's eyes flashed, anger and sorrow abundant. "The city has been crippled; it lies in ruin. Fortunately, many escaped, but the casualties are still vast. I know you are thinking of Umrii and Lhadral. They and their family are safe though, I can assure you."

I could feel Sarah relax on hearing they were alive, but concern remained etched upon her face.

Arcaena replenished our drinks before proceeding. "When Teldrassil was planted after the Third War, the Archdruid Fandral Staghelm overlooked having the tree blessed. The roots buried deep in the earth and very quickly. It is believed The Old Gods had hoped for such a misjudgement. The error would empower them with a way to rise from the depths of Azeroth and rule over us all. They have been biding their time."

"The Old Gods?" Sarah asked. Her eyes were wide. "They could emerge?"

Arcaena grinned, although the expression was not one with her usual confident air. "Perhaps. All we do know is that the tree became corrupted and its limbs absorbed crystalised titan blood, a substance known as Azerite."

I had vaguely heard of Azerite before, but it was in a most complex script. 

Our hosts told us Azerite could be a valuable commodity; one which could bring with it an unfathomable power linked to the Old Gods. It was clear if this commodity was farmed and fell into the wrong hands, it could lead to mass destruction through the arming of powerful weapons.

"It still doesn't make sense," Sarah offered.

 I inched forward on the sofa, keen to hear her opinion. 

"Was Vereesa there to source this Azerite? Or was she lured - a ploy to draw Sylvanas there making her think the Alliance had killed Vereesa? The aim; her starting a war by burning Teldrassil?"

"We do not know if Vereesa survived or not," Illidan injected.

Sarah nodded. "The fact she was injured may have been enough for Sylavanas to burn the tree?"

 Now the ball had been set in motion regarding Sylvanas' possible strategy, Arcaena inquired, "But, the continent is far from where Lordaeron sits, and the Undercity is her domain. Stormwind, her main objective, lies to the south. You're right, Sarah, it doesn't make sense."

"Plus, to raze something like Teldrassil would also take immense firepower. Could she afford such arms and weaponry to be deployed so far away?" Sarah asked.

"We cannot underestimate the Banshee Queen," Illidan said. 

"I don't," Sarah replied. "But I am just trying to look at this from a logical perspective."

"I fear logic is in short supply where Sylvanas is concerned, Sarah," I added. "She is merely devious, narcissistic. But, I feel there is something we are not seeing. Hopefully, we will have a better idea once we hear what the King has to say."

Ocel became restless. Sarah excused herself to feed and change him, and Arcaena took her through to another room for privacy.

Once they left, Illidan spoke with me some more. "Jaina's judgement of Sylvanas after the Broken Shore may well be justified."

"Whatever, you may think of the Warchief, the Horde did help us defeat the Burning Legion and the Void Lords."

"I am not speaking about the Horde as a whole. I do not trust Sylvanas! I would put nothing past her, Khadgar."