“Form ranks!” Sylvanas’s voice cut sharply across the amassed troops currently flanking either side of the Wrathgate.

Already, there were gargoyles accosting their army. And already, their enemy was suffering losses, where they were suffering none.

“Fire!”

A volley of arrows took out yet another wave of the winged creatures, and Sylvanas led her unit of Rangers to one side even as Alleria seemed to mirror her every motion on the other.

Soon enough, they had cleared enough room to funnel their foot units in.

Jaina’s heart was pounding in her chest as she watched both her men and those of Quel’Thalas thunder into the snow-covered clearing. But there was no time to think.

“You’re horrible at sneaking,” Alleria grumbled from her bed as she sat up and stretched herself out. It was nearly morning anyway, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to give her sister a hard time.

“I wasn’t sneaking,” Sylvanas responded, narrowing her eyes as she plopped down onto her own bed but didn’t bother laying down.

“So, uh…”

“No,” Sylvanas replied adamantly as she slid her shirt off over her head and reached for the bowl of washwater on the table near her bed. Once she had a damp cloth in hand, she began giving herself a cursory scrub. She was glad they hadn’t brought any mages with them. Knowing the ones that hung around the court, there would have been running water in every room by the first night. But this was positively luxurious compared to what both her and Alleria were used to having in the field, so neither complained - despite the lack of warmth in the water.

“No, what?” Alleria asked innocently as Sylvanas’s actions spurned her into washing herself, as well.

Jaina swallowed thickly past the nervousness that lingered in her throat as she read over the letter in her hands for what felt like the dozenth time. Just a simple invitation, really. From Lireesa to herself requesting a private meeting before the official start of her next visit.

Jaina had obliged, of course. Obviously. Clearly.

One didn’t deny the Regent Lord of Silvermoon. Especially not when one was falling hard and fast for the Regent Lord’s daughter.

Perhaps that’s why her nerves were getting the better of her as she began working carefully at weaving a portal as had been requested of her.

“Are you excited?” Sylvanas asked with a soft smile as she tightened the straps on the pack hanging from her horse’s saddle.

Jaina laughed quietly as she did the same and swung herself up onto her own mount with a level of practiced ease that Sylvanas could certainly appreciate. “I think I’ll enjoy myself if that’s what you’re asking. A leisurely overnight hunt is something I don’t generally allow myself.”

“Have you ever been on an overnight hunt?” Sylvanas asked with a lift of her brow as she pulled herself up into her own saddle and nudged her horse forward.

She was joined soon after by Jaina, and they took off at an easy pace as they continued their conversation.

“I can’t say that I have. I’ve been on hunts, of course. But a Lady of my status…” Jaina trailed off and feigned an aloof expression that gave Sylvanas a chuckle.

Mother,

As you asked of me, I have given the matter at hand great consideration. Over the course of the past three weeks, I have come to realize there is gravity to the feelings I have for Lady Proudmoore. I am also acutely aware of the possible political consequences such a union could create for both of us.

However, if this is a risk you feel weighs evenly enough against any possible benefit, I would like your blessing in this matter. I would like to invite Lady Proudmoore to Silvermoon as my personal guest before I ask her for her answer.

I wouldn't, however, ask her anything at all without your express consent. My duty and my loyalty lie with my people first and foremost, as always.

I hope this letter finds you well and doesn't cause you undue stress.

You are in my thoughts. Please send Liadrin my love.

Arthas has gone into hiding behind his loss at the Elf Gates and, in the wake of Kael'thas’ banishment, Regent Lord Lireesa, along with the rest of the Windrunner family, prepare to lead the Blood Elves and the not-quite-living human refugees of Lordaeron to Icecrown and to victory. 

Will Grand Magister Lirath settle into his new position? Will Ranger-General Sylvanas turn the tables on the lovely Lady Jaina Proudmoore of Theramore, who has come to court her people in an attempt to lure them into the Alliance? 

Lireesa sighed quietly as she was greeted by yet another passive expression from her daughter. They’d been at this for nearly an hour, and Sylvanas hadn’t budged.

“You’re not canceling your trip because of some...human.” Sylvanas said as she reached for the parchment on her mother’s side of the desk and glanced down at it. “And trade arrangements that we’re more than likely going to decline anyway.” She finished before placing the parchment back down.

“You’ve never negotiated anything that didn’t have to do with war, Sylvanas. This is different. This could be advantageous for us.” Lireesa countered, her voice both calm and tired all at once.

“That’s rather dark, mother. And we’re no longer at war, technically. What good am I if I can’t handle this, as well?”

“What did you say to her?”

Pained winced as she looked up at Jaina from her bed and cursed the fact that they’d been given adjoining rooms. Ah, well. This conversation would have happened either way. Better now than later. She just wished she’d gotten up early enough to have breakfast, first...

She sighed and sat up slowly only to find Jaina moving to take the chair near her bed with an accusatory expression on her face.

“Things that she needed to know. Things you weren’t going to tell her on your own. Did you even get any sleep last night?”

“You didn’t have any right to do that. I don’t need you to protect me from her.”

Pained drew in a breath to steady herself and propped a few pillows behind herself.

“I know that you don’t. I know that if she were a real threat to you, you would deal with it.” Pained paused. “A physical threat.”