Talador: Redemption Rise

[archmagetrust]

Khadgar pauses as he enters the tent, letting his eyes adjust from the perpetual golden leaf fall of Talador to its dimly lit interior. Maraad's softly glowing eyes flick up from the map he's studying.

"Khadgar, well met." The draenei shifts to his full height, adamantine and crystal armor clanking.

"Well met." Khadgar moves toward the table. "I hear the strike against Mor'gran went well."

Maraad doesn't smile but Khadgar knows him well enough to recognize grim satisfaction. "Indeed. Their fleet will find few supplies waiting for them when it lands."

The Iron Dreadnought and its escort were still out at sea, last spotted only a few days up the coast. "Excellent news. I can report Voljin's Pride has had similar success taking out their Seigeyard in Archenon."

Maraad makes a note to the map. "Good. That will bring comfort to the refugees we are sheltering from there." He frowns. "They should still head to Shattrath rather than return, at least until we can finish wiping out this scourge."

Khadgar eyes the city on the map. The maker took the time to embellish it and its dome takes up an disproportionate amount of space. "How many refugees are there now?"

Maraad's expression darkens, his glowing eyes narrowed. "Several hundred with the Archenon survivors added to Tuurem's." The hand curled around the pencil clenches as his tail curls tightly.

Khadgar considers carefully how to best phrase his next question. "Would Karabor be a better able to absorb them? They are not about to be under siege and the Kirin Tor would be glad to lend you portal mages."

Maraad sets the pencil down, brows furrowed. "Perhaps. The community centers are already near full."

"And, forgive me, but it may be wise to send all the noncombatants with them."

Maraad's fist slams the table. "We are not going to lose Shattrath. Not here." He glares down at Khadgar.

"Of course not, but that's not my only reason for suggesting it."

The light in the tent brightens as the flap opens again. Yrel enters, armor still showing signs of fresh battle. "Oh good, you are still here, Archmage!" She smiles brightly, placing her two-handed ax in the weapons rack before walking over to join them. She's looking much better than when Khadgar first met her as a slave in the Blackrock mines and her confidence in her abilities has only grown. Velen's purple sigil blazes over her forehead crestbone.

"Well met, Exarch." Khadgar bows. "And congratulations on your promotion to the Council."

Yrel's lavender cheeks purple slightly. "My thanks, Archmage. What news have you brought us?"

"As I was about to tell Maraad, Cordana has been able to confirm the Shadow Council has infiltrated the members of Auchindoun." Yrel's smile immediately turns to shock while Maraad looks furious. "I do not know whom yet, but it's likely they also have members in Shattrath. With the Iron Horde coming to lay siege, the Council will likely take advantage of the chaos. I advise moving as many people to Karabor as possible."

Yrel looks worried. "That trek is long, Khadgar."

"The Kirin Tor will lend our portal mages to this, if you agree."

The younger draenei looks to Maraad. "You have told me Shattrath was lost in your timeway. That we were all lost." She turns back to Khadgar. "I believe it is wise to preserve as many of our people as we can. Should Shattrath persevere, will you also lend your mages to help the refugees return home?"

Khadgar bows again. "You have my word, Exarch."

"Then it shall be done." She sighs. "If even one of our Exarchs would betray us to the Legion, then we must take every opportunity we can to preserve life." She smiles at them both. "I am grateful for your aid and council. Our chances would be much worse were you not here."

"I will do everything in my power to preserve our people." Maraad salutes her.

Yrel places a hand on his arm. "You have done much already, Maraad, and saved so many." Her hand glows with warm, yellow light for a moment and Maraad's shoulders relax ever so slightly. "Trust in the Light."

Maraad nods, then turns suddenly to Khadgar. "What next, Archmage?"

"The Horde is planning a strike on Tuurem, to try and take out Orgrim Doomhammer." Maraad snorts at the name but Yrel doesn't recognize it. "Durotan thinks he may be able to talk to him."

"Hmph. Orcs don't talk, they kill."

"It is a worthy effort. May his ancestors bless him."

"Regardless, that's the last of the ground forces here. After that it's just dealing with the Dreadnought and the fleet once it arrives."

Yrel nods. "We will continue to prepare our forces. What of the Shadow Council?"

"Lady Liadrin of the sin'dorei has volunteered to assist us on that front. She'll be leaving for Auchindoun shortly and joining Exarch Maladaar there."

Maraad's eyes widen slightly. "Liadrin?"

"She feels she owes the draenei a favor yet for saving the Sunwell. She aims to repay it."

Maraad nods but Yrel looks confused. "This is Azeroth relations?"

"Aye. Velen, our Velen, saw fit to help the sin'dorei some years ago." Maraad looks like he disapproves.

"Well, that's wonderful!" Yrel had been close to Velen before this world's perished. Her grip on Maraad's arm tightens. "Will you tell me more of this?"

Khadgar bows to them one last time. "I will take my leave. Expect the mages within a day."

"Light bless you, Khadgar, travel safe!" Yrel waves to him and Maraad give him a nod before the human ducks out of the tent. He blinks at the bright light.

"How did it go?" Cordana stands from where she was stealthed, watching the rest of the camp.

"Let's just say Yrel has excellent timing." He arches an eyebrow at the night elf, tone dry. "I assume no sign of Garona?"

"She has not forgotten you, Khadgar," Cordana says stiffly.

"Nor I her. Come, let us return to Zangarra," he replies, opening a portal. They both step through, the magic winking out behind them.