Deception (a World of Warcraft Fanfic)

Just One Night

I had thought this mission would lift the evil I had sensed earlier, what a fool I was to believe Garrosh would bring light to that dark cavern. The walk down the veiled stair would be a walk of shame, contrary to the adventure it was just hours ago.

I had left my friend in the cave, not because of the blood oath, at least not entirely. The truth? I wasn't prepared to watch a friend of mine die.

There's a difference between physical and emotional strength, though I was in better shape than ever, my sanity was beginning to decay.

Crickets sounded the coming of dusk, the peaks of Kun-Lai cradled the sun in their arms and as it fell into the earth the sky burst into every color one could imagine. A display of this continent's beauty, something I had nearly taken part in destroying.

Yet after all I had seen, I could not tell if this was a victory, or a heavy loss. It was both, in a way, the mission was a successes, but at what cost? How could it be both?

Exhausted and parched, I decided it was in my best interest to stop at the tavern in the mists, despite knowing I would have to carry a conversation.

Wrathion sat at a table in the middle of the room. He looked important, above all others. The other patrons were baffled by the way I simply sat next to the son of deathwing without hesitation. Even his bodyguards, Left and Right if I remember correctly, took a moment to process things.

A sly smirk spread across the young dragon's tanned face, weather he was going to be cordial, or give me get another reason to hate the day.

I figured not much surprised the people of these parts nowadays and shifted into my human form, hoping I didn't look so defeated. Life carried on as usual.

Perhaps they were no strangers to shape shifting, certainly Wrathion hasn't sat here the whole time playing chess with whoever happened to stop by. He too was interested in the secrets of the continent, what better way to learn them than fly to wherever his heart desired?

"And who do we have here? Well, I bet you've come to have a drink with me, so-"

"I didn't."

"Well, I'm ordering you one, you little ball of hatred. I haven't the slightest idea why you're here, wasting my time, but I'm dying for some entertainment, and that prince of yours had to leave."

I slammed my fist on the table, Wrathion froze in horror as I seized him by the collar of his shirt, "What were you doing with Anduin?"

The guards freed their master, he turned to them and said, "Do not underestimate this one."

"I came to rest and tend to my wounds, this would not have been my choice of location of I did have any say. I did not come to entertain you, not to I find it entertaining that you're messing with my mission. I'll repeat my question, what were you doing with Anduin?"

He reached out and touched my arm, I nearly smacked his hand away before realizing he was wiping the blood dripping from a deep gash in my mail garments.

"Left, get some cloth to wrap this with. Sar-Saerah, you need to calm down, that little outburst did nothing to ease your blood loss. I simply decided it was time to meet the prince of Stormwind, and invited take a walk with me in the vale." The brewmaster tapped his scolder, handing Wrathion a new napkin and taking the ruined one. I apologized for the mess and listened to the rest of the story, "He told me wonderful things about parts of this land I have yet to explore, but his mind was elsewhere. He spoke rather fondly of you, I had no idea part of your mission was to win over his heart."

"It never was my intention, and I'm sure he's not the type to fall for someone like me. You must be mistaken."

"I suppose, the comments were only friendly, and I do have quite the imagination. Enough about me, though, do tell how you ended up stranded here."

Right was trying to remove pieces oft armor, I winced as she jerked the gauntlet off my arm. Thankfully my strong arm remained in tact.

"Easy on her." His voice commanded, the bitter woman nodded to her commander, then turned around and carried on removing my armor with the same resentful attitude.

Wrathion began to dress my wounds, he payed close attention to detail, occasionally looking up to me, eyes begging to tell the tale.

"I went on a mission with..." The room went blurry for a moment, "three orcs and Vol'jin. We... found something linking the mogu and saurok... Making warriors out of stone... Garrosh. Just what he wanted. Vol'jin spoke out, and they tried to poison him. They counted on my taking the path of honor, but there was no honor in this... not like this..."

"I saw this coming... You killed them?"

"All three, but as you can see, it was fight for my life. Vol'jin lives, I think..."

"Good... They'll need a leader." a solemn look fell on his face as he heard Left's comment, Right nodded in agreement with it.

"Having been affected by his black heart personally, I could not agree more. But, I must ask, who will go down with him?"

"Only time will tell. What's your next move?"

"Vol'jin is going off the radar for a while, I am to stay close to Garrosh, which shouldn't be hard considering he's taken me under his wing, and just wait it out I suppose."

"You're forgetting one big detail..."

"Anduin."

"Do not neglect your other missions, Domination Point and Nazgrim still need you. Also, do not neglect your promises. Anduin needs Sarah, or he'll be taking a portal to Stormwind the moment he's recognized."

"Perhaps it's for the best, this land is dangerous." I thought of the sha, the Horde, and mogu, then of the sweet alliance prince.

"He's no younger than you, my dear, the only difference is you are free to see the world. He longs for the life of you or Valurine."

"Some tea for the lady, it will help you heal." The Pandaren slid a tray between us.

"Thank you." I graciously accepted the porcelain cup.

"Give him that life for just one summer. After all, you are only using him."

"I'll make you a bed, rest with us tonight." The Pandaren called from the second floor.

"Very well."

*

I woke up before the sun, hoping the others weren't morning people. My bow had been hidden as an extra precaution, but it was no challenge finding it. If it weren't for my height, the top shelf would have been ideal.

There are some perks to being a Tauren, tall, strong, but we weren't the most silent of people. Hooves on a bamboo floor is the equivalent to the pounding of war drums.

Wrathion greeted me in mauve robes, strands of curly hair stuck out of his turban, bags hung under his half open eyes. He did not appreciate being awaken.

"And what exactly do you think you're doing? There's not a healer for miles around and I doubt those wounds healed overnight. You can't make the voyage back to domination point like this!"

"I'm not going there, I'm on my way to see the best healer in Pandaria. Besides, I have a promise to keep."

Wrathion leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a smile escaped his exhausted features.