[Alliance] Chapter Two: Session Twenty-Five

September 4th (Morning)

0:00

When Vincent awakens the next morning, he sees Jaina is already awake, pouring over a map and several calculations. Vincent asks her if she has some ideas on what to do about Gil, and she suggests perhaps one of the priests in the area, but in addition, she notes the key was moved sometime in the night.

Vincent asks where, and she isn’t sure exactly, but it’s to the north. She said the only place it could be is Quel’Danas itself--the place where the Sunwell is located. She has a feeling that Runesight’s manor was a temporary stop and they likely used his teleportation circle to move it. However, it doesn’t seem like Dar’khan and the others realized it was a fake for the time being.

Jaina also said they still don’t know where Vel and Uther are. They could still be at Runesight’s manor, or they could be somewhere else entirely.

Vincent and her agree that it’s likely they were probably moved, as they likely knew they had tried to come.

The next question is: what to do?

Jaina said first thing was to get Gil back in action, and then find Uther and Vel. Vincent asks if she attempted to try messaging them, and she said that she doesn’t know where they are, nor has any attempt work. She said they could try scrying, but she’s confident Dar’khan has put preventative measures in place.

She’s confident there’s a way to find them, though she isn’t sure what.

Vincent said, for the time being, he could focus on trying to find someone to fix Gil. However, it’s not cheap.

Arator suggests Lady Liadrin as she had helped previously. Though, he isn’t sure if she had been appraised of their current situation. There was also the possibility of Brother Galell, who Arator and Uther had previously helped, as well as Vandellor, Liadrin’s adoptive father, and the head of the church.

Vincent and Arator agree to go speak with Galell, and Jaina said she’ll work on getting in contact with some other allies. Vereesa, likewise, is going to get in contact with some old friends to see if there is anything they can do to expedite the process.

Arator and Vincent start to head for Falconwing Square. They are able to avoid any major patrols. It takes a few hours, but they get to the chapel. It’s busier than the last time they were there, likely due to fear and uncertainty.

The duo melds into the crowd and enter. There are two priests and a number of acolytes. There is an older-looking elven woman being consoled by one acolyte, and there is a small gathering of younger individuals near a slightly heavier, blonde elf who Arator identifies as Galell.

Galell is trying to talk down some feelings of violence, instead encouraging helping and good faith. He points to another elf who was praying, explaining that his daughter was a Farstrider who was critically injured. He needed them to show compassion and kindness and work to make Silvermoon a better place.

Galell looks to the new duo, and then recognizes Arator. Arator briefly explains quietly that they were framed. Galell is inclined to believe them, and asks why they had come.

Arator explains that a friend of theirs had been calcified, and explained he heard about powerful magicks that could lift such a hex. He asks Galell if he knows of anyone that could help. Unfortunately, Galell isn’t capable, but he knows some people: namely Liadrin.

Galell said he can facilitate something, and asks where they could be found. With some reluctance, Vincent gives the location, and Galell said he was pretty confident that Liadrin could meet with them tomorrow morning.

Vincent and Arator leave, and Arator mentions they would have to get together the funds to prepare. Vincent asks if Gil had Vel’s money on her, and Arator said it had been left with him. They agree she probably wouldn’t mind if they use it to help.

As they head back, they hear a chorus of voices. They skirt around them, but they seem to be upset, someone at their head incensing them into a near riot. Guardians of Eternal Spring are positioned around watching carefully.

The speech itself seems to be a general disgruntlement at how the situation had been handled, from the Convocation through the military branches. The shadowy cult is striking fear into the heart of the city, yet it seems like nothing is being done. Arator looks conflicted, wanting to interfere to prevent more chaos, but also recognizing that doing so would put them at risk.

Vincent states that they needed to focus on the greater threat, though muses that they picked the wrong person for this. Arator asks if he was referring to himself, and Vincent confirms, mentioning that he was just supposed to be here to watch Tess. Arator said his skills were invaluable, and Vincent scoffs, commenting flattery would get him nowhere.

As they get back to the warehouse, Jaina is still there. She appears to be casting a spell around Gil. They see a few bits of dust from the statue raise off of it. She mutters, commenting how strange it is, though she wishes she knew someone more practiced with alchemy to cross referencing things with.

When asked, Jaina mentions she determined the substance on Gil seems to be a mixture of vintage wine and demon blood. It seems to be an experiment of some sort, likely a weapon for the warlocks.

Suddenly her eyes widen and she looks out to the bay. She said she lost signal on the tracking spell. Despite it having another day and a half. Either the warlocks stashed it in something to protect it from divination, or they discovered the spell.

She’s concerned about Vel and Uther, as if they discovered the key is a fake they may be in more danger. Vincent said they couldn’t do anything further until Gil is fixed, and Jaina asks them how that went. Vincent fills her in, then said they needed to be on alert as he had to tell them their location.

Jaina said they would have to adapt if something happened, but suggested that Vincent get some rest now if he was intending on keeping watch in the night.

Vincent agrees, and goes to sleep until nightfall.

September 4th (Night) - September 5th (Morning)

When Vincent awakes, Tess is also around, intending on keeping watch with him. Vincent sees some individuals walking around, such as something that was likely a drug deal.

Around 4:30-5:00 in the morning, he notes two figures. They seem to be a bit more nervous about navigating the dock, especially the shorter of the two. They seem to be meandering toward the warehouse.

Vincent makes a few signals to Tess, and she transforms into a raven to fly down closer. She lands on one of the piers and picks at the wood as the two figures walk by. The shorter one is a bit startled, and the taller one laughs quietly.

Tess returns to Vincent, and taps on his shoulder with a talon--using thieves’ cant to indicate the “coast is clear” before taking off again.

Vincent goes down to greet the priests, removing his hood. Both figures swirl toward him, and there’s a shimmer of light under the robe of the shorter one. The other figure reaches into their robe and there is the sound of steel being drawn slightly, but not completely.

Vincent puts a hand on his hip. “Is that how you greet people asking for help?”

Taller Figure: “Well, not the figure I intended to run into here.”

At this distance, Vincent notices the shorter figure is Liadrin, and the taller figure is… Enrian Silverfall. The last time Vincent had seen him, he was dead.

They head in, and Liadrin seems to be a bit on edge still.

Jaina has woken up, and she thanks Liadrin for coming. She then sees Enrian.

Enrian: “I don’t believe we formerly met, but I believe you know me more than I know you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Queen Jaina.”

Jaina asks what he was doing there, as the last she had seen him he was dead. Liadrin explains that, thanks to Velameestra, he had been able to be brought back.

Enrian said he was intending on starting to make good on his debt to Velameestra, even if that meant sticking his nose in other people’s business. He then produces a satchel of diamond dust and hands it to Liadrin as he asks where Vel was.

Vincent said that she was… waylaid, presently.

Liadrin goes and blows the dust onto Gil, and the calcification drops, the material soaking like wine. Gil blinks, and Liadrin asks if he can hear her.

Gil confirms, and Liadrin also heals him as well.

Gil said that his last memory was fighting wine, and he asks what happened. Enrian also comments he was curious as well.

Vincent explains that, after the attack, they decided it was best to retreat. Gil comments he’s assuming the ooze did something, and Vincent said that it had petrified him.

Gil sighs and comments that his means that Vel’s gonna claim to be the older twin. Then he asks where Vel is. Jaina said that they weren’t able to find them, contact attempts had failed, and all they know is they moved the key to Quel’danas but she lost the signal.

Liadrin shakes her head, asking what they are speaking of. Jaina looks to them, gauging their trustworthiness, and Vincent comments telling them more is going to drag them into thing.

Gil asks them how much they want to be dragged in, and Liadrin said she wanted to help.

Vincent said she may not like what they tell her. Liadrin is quite certain, and she mentions she knows about the runestone.

Gil then realizes that she was friends with Dar’khan, and Liadrin asks if news of his survival was true. Gil confirms, and she realizes that he was rotten to his core and she was a fool.

Liadrin then asks if they know where Velameestra might be. Gil said his only guess is they might have kept her with the artifact, especially if the warlocks discovered they gave them a fake. Liadrin said it was important they try to find them soon as she was a good person, and she wasn’t going to suffer anything happening to Vel after what she had done for others at risk to herself.

Liadrin then said she could speak with her father indirectly to see if he has any ideas. Gil suggests they could likely get to Quel’Danas, though he isn’t sure where the warlocks could hide.

Jaina thinks for a moment, then said there were many places. The Magisters Terrace alone was a network of libraries and archives, and it could easily hide people. On top of that, there was a town there as well: Sun’s Reach. Vel and Uther could be anywhere on the island, but starting the search there may not be a poor idea.

Gil said they could ask his Aunt if she had seen anything, and Vereesa laughs, asking which one. Gil said that it could be any of them. Vereesa reports she had sent word to Sylvanas, and they are working to gather enough evidence to bring a charge against Runesight. Vereesa said she may work on that personally as he deserves to suffer. She’s had enough of him.

Gil also mentions they have greater strength than they do. They don’t know how many warlocks there are, nor demons. They couldn’t do this alone.

Valeera points out they do have allies they could start to tap into. Plus if they can clear their names, they can move more freely. However, they need leverage to do so, and they need wait until they know they can succeed in getting it.

In that moment, Gil hears a voice in the back of his mind.

Kilnar: “Oh there you are, darling. I’ve been concerned about you and your sister.”

Gil apologizes to her mentally. “I was having a bit of a hard time.”

Kilnar: “I see. Well, I’m glad that’s taken care of. Where is Velameestra. I’ve been trying to contact her. I understand she’s protected from scrying so I haven’t bothered to try.”

Gil: “She’s not protected from scrying. I have that amulet.”

Kilnar: “Troubling. I assume that’s something to do with what you’ve been working on?”

Gil gives the gist.

Kilnar: “Well. That’s troubling. We need to find her quickly. And Uther of course. Hm. Certainly. Yes. Worry not, Gil, I have an idea, one that will be able to find her. Give me a few days time and I should be able to locate her. From that point it’s just a matter of extracting her. And the prince, of course.”

Gil: “In the meantime… we’re looking to start making bigger moves. What would you recommend?”

Kilnar: “Are you now? Brilliant. I have a plan for you, one I would certainly enjoy bringing you and your friends in on. Given some time, by the time we liberate Vel and Uther, we should be able to make a move. I’m not supposed to tell you this, but on Magister’s Terrace there is an artifact that can recall all magisters across the world. It’s not easy, or cheap, to use, but in the even a summit is needed, they can be drawn to them, if willing. As the Seeker of Wisdom, she has the right circumstances to make it happen given the nation’s state of affairs. What better place than a forum with the movers and shakers of Silvermoon to reveal yourselves as innocent. I can ensure you and yours are disguised until the right moment, where you can reveal yourselves and explain everything. And we can ensure everyone is aware of this. Some of my close colleagues and associates have created a sort of projector system. Some of these illusion boxes can be planted around the city. If you assist me in this, we can make sure that your message reaches everyone, and these warlocks will know we’re coming for them.”

Gil: “Then either they will panic and enact things too soon, or go further underground.”

Kilnar: “Yes, and anyone that doesn’t show themselves will have to prove themselves to be innocent… and any foolish enough to attend will know we mean business at this point.”

Gil: “That sounds like exactly what we need.”

Kilnar: “Excellent. I’m personally excited for these warlocks to start fearing us.”

Kilnar then projects an image of the forum, as well as other key places to place some filigree, crystalline boxes--likely the catalysts.

Kilnar: “Just a few ideas, but as a Farstrider I’m sure you’ll find plenty of advantageous locations.”

Gil: “I do have a couple days, don’t I?”

Kilnar: “You do. Yes. Before the end of the week I should be able to get her location and get her to safety. I have a feeling that Dar’khan will want to hold her over my head, not to mention the prince of Lordaeron is too valuable for him to try and dispatch them. Not yet, anyway. If you have any further questions, let me know, but for the time being, I’ll send a contact so your friends can place them.”

Gil agrees. The entire conversation happened in the span of a second.

Arator asks if he’s alright, and Gil gives a rundown of the conversation.

Jaina said that it was a convenient answer to some of their problems, though perhaps two convenient. She asks if they can trust her, and Gil said that Vel did. Jaina said if Vel did, they could give her the benefit of the doubt.

Jaina asks them if they should look for Vel and Uther on their own too, and Vincent said it likely wasn’t wise given how poorly it went last time. Gil agrees, mentioning they should work on gathering allies.

They take a moment to rest, and Gil goes to sleep. As Vincent is standing by, he hears a whistle. Vincent goes to check it out, and there’s a cloaked individual. There’s a smirk.

Thalodien: “Well well well, if it’s my old friend Vincent. How have those gloves been treating you?”

Vincent: “They’ve helped a lot. Saved a few people.”

Thalodien: “I don’t doubt it. Well, I brought a few gifts. I heard you’re helping us set up a few boxes for the boxes. These things are fragile, so don’t go throwing them around.”

Vincent: “I may no promises.”

Thalodien: “Mmhm. About those gloves… thanks for keeping them warm.”

Vincent: “Yeah, well, took you long enough.”

Vincent hands over the gloves, and Thalodien smiles, slipping them on.

Thalodien: “You’re lucky I’m not charging you interest.”

Vincent: “Mmhm. I’m sure I could have done a better job.”

Thalodien: “Hoho? We’ll see about that, bud. Anyway, careful. Fragile.”

He strolls away, and a few dock workers bring the crates in. One of them clears his throat, and Valeera rolls her eyes and flicks him a gold piece. The dock workers leave.

Jaina is looking at the prisms almost hungrily as she examines them. She muses that she doesn’t know if Kilnar is trustworthy, but she’s certainly powerful and wealthy. Jaina doesn’t even recognize the crystal used, which is a whitish-silver color.

Vincent muses that ultimately the enemy of their enemy was their friend.

Jaina agrees, and notes the objects do what they are supposed to. If they are doing anything else… it’s possible, but she can’t tell. In theory, Kilnar is going to be able to tap into all of them at once, and project whatever speech is going to be made at the forum.

There are a LOT of crystals, and this is likely only some of them.

Jaina, Gil, and Vincent work to map out some areas in the city to place the crystals. Gil splits off with Arator, and Vincent and Tess split off.

Gil and Arator have some more trouble that Vincent and Tess, as Gil is a bit more high profile. However, he is able to accomplish his task pretty well, though there are some close calls.

It takes about four days to place all the prisms. However, so far, no word back from Kilnar.


1:32

MEANWHILE, in an alternate dimension, in a place that defies logic and reason.

Vel and Uther had found a “safe” place in the strange, violent wasteland. Uther is stabilized, and Locus-Walker is standing by, drawing some sort of strange arcane incantations.

Vel asks about the artifact that Locus-Walker was talking about. He said he can explain more. As the man finishes the arcane circle, he places a hand on it. A dark bubble expands outward, and Vel recognizes it as the tiny hut spell.

Locus-Walker continues on about the “subject” in question. It’s something the Etherium would callously waste, but he plans to fix that.

Locus-Walker: “It’s referred to as Nhr'ghesh in a tongue that is rather alien. I would need your help in distracting the Etherium while I retrieve that.”

Vel asks if the Etherium were Locus-Walker’s people, and he explains long ago his people were wayfarers. Wanderers of the Twisting Nether. The darkness eventually consumed them, leaving them in the state he was in. Some of them chose to rage a war against the darkness, but others chose to become that darkness. To use the power strong enough to devour worlds. The fools in question will allow that darkness to consume them. Others, such as himself, had taken an interest in the powers that be. The void was an alternative measure of power, one different than those typically used. He sees it as a tool, not a master, which is where the Etherium and him differ. They are the ones seeking to fight and waste resources.

Locus-Walker explains the one that Vel would need to be concerned about is Durzaan, a “Nether Prince”. There was a small camp nearby they were using to manipulate the powers of Nhr’ghesh. However, Locus-Walker said there was no need to kill them. Simply distract them.

After Locus-Walker retrieves it, he can guarantee that they would pose no threat. He asks if they have a deal. Vel asks if they could have some time to rest, and Locus-Walker agrees, then holds out a hand. He explains his people were traders, and he understood the handshake as a symbol of good will. Vel takes it, and his hand has a strange feeling. Like using magic itself.

Vel ends up dozing off. Uther wakes at around four hours, and instinctively snuggles closer to Vel. She wakes up for a moment, then dozes again.

She’s dreaming. It’s dark. It’s not concrete, but there are faint voices calling for her. Gil. Jaina, Rhonin. Her cousins. As she looks around and moves forward, she then hears Uther. Instinctively, she digs her hand into Uther’s as he sleeps around her. She hears her father, her friends, her mother. Kilnar.

But she can’t find anyone.

The voices start to slowly drop off until there’s only one. For a moment, it sounded like her mother, but as it cuts through the haze of her dream… it’s Kilnar.

Vel’s eyes open, and she can still hear her voice.

It actually is Kilnar. Kilnar is relieved, and said she’s going to get them out of there. Vel, however, said she isn’t sure if she can leave right now. Kilnar said it’s been a week, though to Vel and Uther it’s only been four hours.

Vel asks Kilnar to give her a second, and she looks to Locus-Walker. She says there’s something she has to take care of, and she’s already been gone a week.

Locus-Walker comments that the sanctity of a handshake must be lost on the mortal races, but Vel counters she never said she wouldn’t help him. Locus-Walker is intrigued. Vel asks him how patient he is, as she has enough sense not to make an enemy when it’s not needed, and despite him not having a face, she gets the feeling he had smiled.

He said that the artifact, while being used, is resilient… there’s time, but he needs a way to find her. He asks her if she has a full name, and Vel tries to ask him his name in exchange for hers. He said he could give it to her, but if he spoke it aloud, there’s the possibility that thousands of portals would rip open and spill forth monstrosities.

Vel pauses, trying to gauge whether or not he’s joking, but she’s unwilling to risk that he isn’t. She admits her last name is Windrunner. Locus-Walker muses to himself, stating “it’s always a Windrunner” before acknowledging her full name.

Kilnar gets in contact with Vel again, and Vel says she’s ready.

There’s a moment, and then suddenly a bright green tear in reality is ripped open. Vel feels herself be drawn through the rift. She sees Kilnar and her study, and there’s one other figure in the background, though it’s hazy.

Kilnar reaches in and grabs Vel’s hand, and Vel grabs Uther. They get pulled through the portal, and Kilnar and Vel half catch each other.

Kilnar mutters something to Vel, happy she’s safe, though its clear that she is rapidly losing a lot of blood from the cut she had inflicted with the bone dagger in her possession to open the portal. Uther is still unconscious, and Vel hastily begins looking for help as she attempts to attend to Kilnar. She just sees the woman that she had seen in Kilnar’s company previously, and she shouts for her to get help.

Fortunately Vel is able to staunch the bleeding.

They managed to get Kilnar turned over to one of her guards so that she can go rest, and Kilnar rather blearly thanks her, having lost a great deal of blood.

The strange woman introduces herself as Syra.

Vel and Uther are also given a room by one of Kilnar’s servants so they can rest, though it’s clear that Uther is rather adamant about not leaving her side.


September 8th (Evening)

Back with Jaina, she stops, getting contact with Vel. Jaina immediately tells the others Vel and Uther are safe.

They make some plans, and Jaina said as soon as they can regroup, the next step is to get to Quel’Danas and make their plans for their next move. It takes just under a day to get to Quel’Danas, so they have time to figure out what they would be saying. It’s also likely that some of the warlocks would be present, and there are going to be a lot of important people. They need to be prepared to protect them if the warlocks attempt to try anything.

Jaina would send word for Liadrin again to hopefully get Uther healed the following morning.


At Kilnar’s, Vel gets help from some of the guards to get Uther’s armor off so he can rest more easily. He is somewhat panicked, but Vel is able to calm him using Sending so he understands her meaning.

September 9th (Morning)

The next morning, Liadrin and Thalodien arrive at the warehouse. Jaina touches base with Vel, and Vel confirms she will be there as soon as she can.

Kilnar is alright, though she’s rather pale. They exchange some pleasantries, and Kilnar fills Vel in on the plan. Vel also presses a bit into the succubus that had taken the moonkey, and correctly had guessed that Kilnar had been in some way responsible as she recalled before Kilnar had mentioned trying to get the service of a specific demon.

Kilnar asks what Vel would do if that were the case, and Vel responds that, ultimately, it was Kilnar’s choice, and Vel herself was not one that was inclined to judge against pursuing less-than-legal means.

Kilnar is pleased by the response, and she introduces Syra as the Queen of Whispers, a succubus queen, though she was clearly in disguise at the moment.

Vel and Syra have a brief cordial exchange, and Vel also asks about the subject she had mentioned to Kilnar previously about the Council of Tirisfal. Kilnar fills her in on some base information about the Council.

Kilnar is able to throw an invisibility on Vel and Uther before they leave, and they start to navigate the streets. They manage to do so safely, and they get to the pier and the safe warehouse.

They arrive early in the afternoon. Liadrin had been waiting, and she stands up, expressing her sympathy to Uther. She also mentions that she’s grateful Vel is alright, and she lifts the feeblemind on Uther.

Uther expresses that it’s a uniquely harrowing experience, and he asks Vel if he punched a monster with the holy light. She confirmed he did.

That night, Vel has a bit of restless sleep. But, as she awakens with everyone else, there is a familiar feeling down on her feeling. Her ring is back.

She immediately reaches out to Kel, and he is relieved to see that she’s back.

They all then head to approach the Thalassian Dream, the ship that Linore had said they could approach. They hand over the note, and are allowed onboard without any questions. They are due to arrive in the morning.

Vel and Uther play Hearthstone while the rogues plus Gil all play five finger fillet for money.

September 10th (Morning)

They are awoken by a bell the next morning, and ahead they see the beacon of light that indicates the Sunwell on the Isle of Quel’Danas. The shift slowly makes its way into the pier, and the vessel docks. No one seems to pay them any mind.

The captain says they can meet with the Harbormaster and they will see them on their way, then he goes back to his business.

Linore steps forward as they approach. She greets them, and expresses she trusts their journey was peaceful. She informs them their mutual contact is already waiting at the Magister’s Terrace, though she sent her something.

She hands a scroll to Vel. It’s a scroll of Seeming, which Vel hands to Jaina to cast the spell at a later time. Linore then expresses to Vel and Gil that she hopes they will come and visit once everything is over, as they just refurbished the guest bedrooms.

Once they get to a safe place, Jaina casts the spell, disguising them all as Guardians of the Eternal Spring. Valeera smirks, asking if them all being Dar’khan and Telina were off the table. There is some amusement at that.

They all express that Kilnar seems to be one step ahead of things, and it’s something to be wary about, but they are all a bit paranoid. Vel does mention that Kilnar nearly died bringing Uther and her back.

They head toward the Sunwell Plateau, and the elves in the group have a degree of warmth in their chests being so close.

They are stopped by some of the spellbreakers, and Gil says they are there at the behest of Kilnar Goldensword. They go to fetch her to confirm, and she agrees she was expecting them. Kilnar informs Gil that the magisters have already started to arrive, and in a half hour those who are not present will be informed they should arrive in due haste.

She tells them to follow her so that they can find a suitable post. She quiets her voice as they walk away, expressing she is glad that they managed to make it. She reiterates that all eyes will be on them.

As they go about, they see a lot of familiar faces. Esara is there, waving at Kilnar. The plateau itself is set up like an amphitheater of sorts, and Kilnar gestures up toward the dais at the center with a pathway leading off it. She gestures to an area near that.

She tells them to spread out and be discreet, and then heads back to the dais, leaning a bit heavier on her staff. Belo’vir is already present, as is Rommath. There are also faces from Dalaran. Zendarin is also there, as is Sylvos and Duskwither.

Runesight is among those not present.

Spellbreakers are walking about seemingly “taking attendance.” Many other faces are present, including the magisters from the moonkey shrines and the students from Duskwither Spire.

They have a few minutes to make a plan, and Gil definitely senses some demons within five miles. There are a few clusters. Most of them are not immediately with the group, but there is one demon close by.

They disperse out, and there is an elegant instrumental sound. A beautiful horn, almost like a symphony, and everyone quiets.

Everyone that is going to be here is likely here, and some spellbreakers start to leave, dispersing in various directions.

Still no sign of Runesight.

Then two doors swing open. In full regalia, and Felo’melorn on his hip, Kael’thas Sunstrider strides forth. Vorenthal is flanking him on one side, as well as Astalore on the other. A few paces behind them are three spellbreakers, two wearing high ranking armor, and the third Lor’themar himself.

There is a rumbling for a moment as people take their positions, and the raised dais lifts off the ground, and levitates to the center of the chamber.

A handful of stones beneath Kael’thas detatch and float a bit up as the pedestal hovers.

Kael: “Scholars and mages of the Magistrate of Silvermoon. You have all been called here today at the behest of the Seeker of Wisdom, and on behalf of the leadership of Silvermoon itself. We have a number of things to discuss here today. First I would thank all of you for coming. As you were informed, your presence was mandatory. Each and every one of you have done your country a service. Those who are absent will be questioned. Thoroughly. If you note someone is not present, I encourage you keep that close in mind. We have reason to believe those not present likely have a reason. While I would like to say that reason is that they are busy, it’s more likely they are waylaid… or implicated in the darkness that has covered our city. Magistrix Goldensword, Keeper of Wisdom, I would pass the floor to you as you are the one who called this meeting.”

Kilnar’s pedestal lifts. “Thank you, my king. And allow me to echo Kael’thas’s sentiment. His majesty is correct. All of you have done a service by arriving. But I did not call us here to do roll call. There are reasons. Things that need to be discussed, and truths that need to be revealed. And I’ve brought a number of friends here to help me reveal them.”

A number of stones lift and begin to float toward the group. All eyes turn toward that general direction.

Four seemingly innocuous guards step upon the stones, and they are brought to the center dais. Everyone is staring.

As Vel, Gil, Uther, and Jaina look about, they take a deep breath.