Damned if I Do: Chapter 16 (Patreon)

Chapter 16: No Time for Games

“I have never known a High Elf named Mur’azond.” Kael’thas’ voice was pensive after Calia and I relayed our encounter with the elven merchant. Of course, the nature of our journey meant that neither we nor Muradin could wait to sort things out. Ships had routes, We were expected to cross the border into Quel’thalas within the next day.

So the shop had been impounded, and Muradin hadn’t been allowed to take his precious booze. He threatened to fight Arthas over the one jar he’d actually bought using my money. Dwarves, they really were just as incredible as I always thought they’d be.

I hadn’t got my money back, either. Stupid elf had vanished with it, only leaving behind a sandstone box.

Speaking of, “And what about that?” I waved to the box in question. It was sitting on the table in the middle of Kael’thas’ flying carriage. Arthas, Rhonin, Vereesa, and of course, Prince Kael himself were all inside as we raced through the air towards the Quel’thalas.

The other apprentices were forced to ride on mounts for the last leg of this trip, something they weren’t very happy about.

Arthas shook his head. “On one hand, I am tempted to have it shipped back to Lordaeron and locked in our vaults, but there is also the matter of optics to consider.”

Kael’thas laughed, leaning back in the lavish couch. It had Alliance upholstery, which seemed like a pretty bold statement, but of course, there were more important things to discuss right now.

“Why not send it to Silvermoon?” the elven prince mused, “Or Dalaran.”

Rhonin leaned forward. “If it goes to Dalaran, Archmage Kel’Thuzad will likely advocate for it to be returned to his apprentice forthwith.”

Kael’thas raised an eyebrow at me.

I shrugged. “Probably.” He’d already given me proscribed books on Void Magi. “If he doesn’t decide to investigate what’s inside himself, that is.”

Kael’thas shook his head. “All respect for my fellow Archmage, but I’d prefer we keep any more dangerous artifacts out of that man’s hands.”

Arthas chuckled. “On that I think we agree.” He folded his hands, looking around the interior of the carriage. “Which still leaves the question on what to do with it for the time being. If there are no objections, I would have no qualm abiding by Prince Kael’thas’ decision, as the merchant was one of his people.”

“The most important part is to maintain a united front,” Kael’thas said. “Therefore, regardless of any decision, it is important that we are in agreement on it.”

“I have no issue with ceding the decision to you.” Rhonin leaned back. “In truth, I have no idea what to do with it either. The bindings are clearly magical, but the arcane washes over them as if there is nothing present.”

Vereesa just nodded. “I will support your decision as well, my prince.”

Kael’thas huffed. “Well, hoisted by my own petard, as it were.” He folded his arms, looking at me with piercing blue eyes. “It occurs to me that there’s one person who we haven’t asked.”

I shrugged. “I’m just an apprentice. I thought I didn’t get to have an opinion.”

Kael’thas laughed again. “I think that after this incident, it is clear that you are not ‘just’ an apprentice. Otherwise, none of this would have happened.” He turned his gaze towards Arthas. “In fact, we can surmise that none of us would be here at all.”

Arthas nodded. “Taylor’s help was instrumental in getting the Council of Six to agree to this tour.”

“My kind is often prone to our flights of fancy or fixation.” He shared a look with Vereesa. “We live long lives, and when something new and exciting arises from the undifferentiated dross of our everyday existence, well…” He gestured to the box on the table. “This happens.”

Vereesa made a noise of understanding. “In that case, it’s not likely to be anything truly dangerous is it?” She reached over, grasping Rhonin’s hand. “Speaking from experience, and all that.”

Kael’thas rubbed his brow. “Would that we could say that with complete certainty.” After a moment he shook his head. “Still, the one thing that is certain is that this Mur’azond will continue making a nuisance of himself if Taylor isn’t given his gift. In this circumstance, I’m inclined to simply cut to the end of a long and drawn out process, and simply allow her to do with it what she wills.”

I raised an eyebrow of my own. “Is that code for ‘bury it in the ground for us’?”

“If that’s what you desire.” Kael’thas waved a hand, rising. “I imagine that won’t end well, but by all means, experiment while we are far from civilization.”

I looked back at the box before turning my gaze to Arthas. He shrugged. “I am at a loss as well, my friend. I agree that it’s unlikely to be harmful; by the sound of it, the mage could have harmed both you and my sister well enough without resorting to such convoluted tactics.”

“And if it’s just some convoluted scheme aimed at some bigger goal?” I asked.

“Then, like as not, it will be your daughter’s problem,” Kael’thas shrugged. “Or your granddaughter’s.”

“Not exactly a ringing endorsement.” Still, I took the box. It sat inert in my hands, the stone cool beneath the paper. So far, we’d tried everything short of simply ripping it off, but Kael’thas had suggested that would be a bad move.

Either it wouldn’t work…

Or it would.

Explosively.

So now I was stuck holding onto the damn thing, which meant that, along with the books I’d been given by Kel’Thuzad, I now had two sets of potentially highly dangerous items given to me by old men who were ostensibly doing so for my benefit.

Which wasn’t a lot, but still, it was weird that it would happen twice.

“What’s the plan now then?” I asked.

Arthas gave a shrug. “We continue as normal, I assume.”

“Indeed.” Kael’thas nodded. “We should arrive at the border soon enough, and unless the Ranger-general is dead, or war broken out, I expect that she will be waiting for us.”

“Sylvannas will be there,” Vereesa said. “No one knows the border paths better than my sister.”

Kael’thas raised a hand. “I do not doubt her abilities.” His lips quirked into a wan smile. “Merely that this venture has already proven more interesting than anticipated.”

Arthas chuckled. “If holding the Alliance together were an easy task, it would not be needed.”

“Well put.” Kael’thas returned to his seat. “In any case, there is little enough to do until we arrive.” He waved towards the box. “You might consider getting started on that riddle.”

I turned the box over in my hands. The paper was rough, more like cloth, and the runes carved on its surface hurt my eyes a bit to look at, even though they looked inert. The case beneath was long and thin, made of rough sandstone that grated against her skin.

“And if it’s a bomb that goes off when I mess with it, taking out the next generation of Alliance leadership across 3 different member states?”

Kael’thas smiled. “If our abilities were so paltry, we would not deserve to lead the Alliance, but you’re right all the same.” He traced his fingers through the air, and the interior of the carriage responded, a purple orb springing into existence around me as runes glowed on the floor and ceiling.

I frowned, rubbing my foot against the suddenly slick floor. “Should I be concerned you have a sex dungeon mode in your carriage?”

Arthas choked on air, and Rhonin twitched slightly. The elves, for their part, only laughed to themselves.

“My dear, if you think this qualifies as a sex dungeon, I have an entire wing of the palace to show you.”

I turned towards the other blond prince in the carriage. “Arthas, we need to turn back now, before it’s too late.”

Rhonin cleared his throat. “I think the apprentice’s suggestion might be prudent.”

“It’s too late for you, my heart.” Vereesa leaned over, wrapping her slender arms around Rhonin’s chest. “Silvermoon has hidden depths, and I shall drag you through them all, no matter how much you struggle.”

Rhonin’s expression could only be called ‘scareoused.’

Kael’thas huffed. “Vereesa, control yourself.”

The ranger rolled her luminous eyes. “Jealousy does not become you.”

Kael turned away, even as Arthas, still half doubled over and coughing, missed the entire byplay.

Rhonin sat there, looking torn between throwing his wife to the floor and throwing himself out of the flying carriage.

I sighed, pressing my forehead against the rough stone of the box. “Thank god you crazies are locked out there.”

“You’re young yet,” Vereesa said. “Even by the standards of your own race. Give it time.”

aS *Re y&U…

I pulled the box away from my head. That sounded…much different than the usual voice that whispered in the back of my head.

But still far too familiar.

“She’s ignoring you, Vereesa.”

I pressed a hand against the cool surface of the box. Drawing on the Void was trivial, even through the arcane prison.

“I shall allow it, but my revenge will be swift.”

I pulsed the Void against the runic seals. At first it seemed like it had no effect; the runes remained inert, power seeming to bleed back off into the Void.

But then, I was no longer a novitiate. Void did not just vanish—I’d learned that much—it took. If it was going nowhere, what was it taking?

“Ah yes, none would double cross a Windrunner.”

I drew on more energy, bearing down on the protections of the seal.

“But of—”

A sharp crack shattered the air. The runes flickered, blasting out a wave of energy that washed through me without touching.

It hit the barrier with the sound of a resounding gong. A spiderweb of cracks formed in the purple shell. The entire carriage seemed to flicker.

I looked down at the box, eyes wide as the seal faded back back to normal ink.

For a moment though, they shimmered with light and shadow both.

Then I remembered that I wasn’t alone. I looked up just in time to see Kael’thas poke what remained of the barrier. It shattered like glass and faded into nothingness.

“Perhaps,” he said, “you should refrain from further experimentation at the moment.”

“I think that’s a good idea.” I slipped the box into my travel pack, next to the books from Kel’Thuzad. Still, I was thinking about the results.

If that elf had known who I was, was it really so hard to believe he’d set up a puzzle that required both the Light and the Void working in tandem in order to solve?

I bit my lip, taking a seat as the carriage began its descent. Arthas laid a hand on my shoulder, giving me a nod of solidarity. No one else seemed quite too eager to break the silence after I almost blew us all up despite Kael’thas’ confidence in his own abilities.

It wouldn’t be politic to bring that up though. I could only hope that the carriage didn’t noticeably drop in altitude when everything exploded.

We were on the ground soon enough, even though it felt like an eternity getting there. I don’t think any of us could get out of that carriage quickly enough, for all that Kael’thas and Arthas pretended to have some decorum. I just chucked my bag over my shoulder and pretended that I didn’t have anything to hide.

It didn’t work on Jaina. She gave me a look the moment I rejoined the other apprentices. Lucky for me, she didn’t have the chance to say anything. The High Elf rangers were already waiting for us.

It perhaps went without saying, but we had landed in a verdant forest. Two full ranks, totaling perhaps twenty rangers, stood arrayed across the glade, clad in gleaming blue and silver armor.

At their head stood an elven woman with pale blond hair, the cowl of her blue cloak thrown backwards over her shoulders. She strode forward to meet our group as the rest of the guards and mages formed into rough ranks.

We didn’t really hold a candle to Quel’thalas’ finest though. It almost made me laugh.

Elf things.

“My Prince.” Sylvanas Windrunner placed a hand over her chest. “Prince Arthas, Archmage Rhonin. It is an honor to welcome you to Quel’thalas. I offer to lead you to Silvermoon.”

Prince Kael’thas dipped his head. “It is with honor we accept, Ranger General.”

Sylvanas smiled. “It is an honor to welcome you home, Prince Kael’thas.”

“It is good to be home. Now, shall we organize our retinues.”

“Of course.” The ranger general waved over her shoulder, and the rest of the elves broke ranks, dipping back into the trees to fetch mounts and supplies. For her part, Sylvanas came forward, embracing Vereesa. “Sister.” They shared a kiss on the cheeks. “It is good to have you back as well.”

Vereesa returned the hug tightly. “I missed you, Sister.” She took a step back. “You received my missives?”

Sylvanas gave a fond laugh. “Yes, Vereesa, I made the reservations for you.” She flicked a glowing eye towards Rhonin. “I’m sure the both of you will enjoy yourselves.”

“Oh we will.”

Jaina and I shared another look.

On one hand, I did understand where Vereesa was coming from. I’d never owned a dog, but it must really suck to fall in love with a person whose average lifespan amounted to a small fraction of yours. You’d want to take advantage of all the time you had with them.

On the other hand, I was pretty happy that the resulting byplay had distracted Jaina. Now she wouldn’t remember to ask me about what happened in the carriage.

So maybe her infatuation was just all upside for me, actually.

Sylvanas also gave Princess Calia a warm welcome, but the rest of us had to make do with a standard greeting. Made sense; she was apparently the leader of the most elite unit in Quel’thalas’ armed forces, amounting to what was the vast majority of their standing peacetime army.

“Your mount was a dream.” Jaina slipped the reins into my hands. “I imagine you’ll want to keep her for the last leg of the trip?”

I turned towards my dragonhawk, rubbing her long beak. “You feel up for another ride, girl? Are you tired?”

She warbled happily, butting her head against my shoulder. I laughed. It was nice to know that I’d built a genuine bond with her. I’d have to see about buying her from the college when we got back.

Or at least, that would be the plan if Muradin hadn’t spent all my money on spiced wine.

“Would you care to ride in the Van, Apprentice Taylor?”

I turned towards Kael’thas in surprise. “I thought the order was already planned?”

He hummed, flicking a glance towards Jaina but otherwise paying her no mind. “No plan survives contact with reality. More rangers were sent than I requested, and thus it would be prudent to adjust the balance of the procession.”

I opened my mouth just as Calia brushed past me. “Ah Prince Kael!” She stepped forward, laying a hand on his arm. “That is excellent to hear, I had just intended to request I be near my brother. Would that be possible?”

Kael’thas glanced between the two of us, one eyebrow rising.

I blinked once, lips moving practically on autopilot. “If anyone deserves to have such a position handed to them, it would be the princess.”

She shot me a look, but I only smirked, gesturing towards the front where Arthas and Rhonin were readying their mounts. She couldn’t get mad at me for doing what she wanted.

Kael recovered quickly. “That would be most excellent,” he said, taking Calia’s arm and escorting her towards Arthas. She shot me a triumphant look over her shoulder.

I raised an eyebrow. Was that supposed to mean something?

To my side, Jaina huffed. “I was worried over nothing, wasn’t I? Titans.”

I looked to her. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing.” She shook her head, giving me the most complicated expression. “You clearly wouldn’t understand it.”

I raised my other eyebrow, but she refused to elaborate no matter what I said. Well, if she wanted to keep it a secret, that was no skin off my back.

Last minute adjustments aside, the party mounted quickly. Mages and Gryphon Riders alike were well used to quickly reassembling like this. The elven rangers brought dragon hawks of their own, but with blue plumage and armor in contrast to the red-purple mounts from Dalaran; almost like they were color coded.

At the head of the column, I saw Arthas take a gryphon of his own. They’d decided to leave the carriage at the border and proceed the rest of the way to the capital on mounts. Kael’thas naturally formed the head of the procession, with Arthas and Sylvanas directly behind.

“Ranger General.” Arthas gave the elven woman a respectful nod. “I believe this is the first time we’ve met. It’s an honor.”

“The honor is all mine, Prince Arthas,” she replied. “I imagine that we will have more cause to converse after you assume the throne.”

Arthas chuckled. “Hopefully not too much. The Alliance is at peace, and I would prefer to keep it that way.”

“In that, we share a common cause.”

“Excellent.” He straightened in his saddle. “I’ve heard of your exploits. It would be a shame to meet you in the field of battle.”

Sylvanas smirked at that. “You would not find me an easy foe.”

I shared another look with Jaina at the byplay.

“Warrior types,” she whispered. “Always the same. Oh but if we crossed blades this, if we fought that.” She shook her head. “Honestly, why can’t they be content to admire each other’s skills?”

It was Sylvanas that gave the call to depart. “We are ready at your word, my prince!” She pointed deeper into the woods. “King Anasterian has ordered the Elf Gates thrown open for us; we shall see Silvermoon by the falling dusk.”

Kael’thas laughed. “What a kind favor. That will make this the fastest time a force this size has ever reached the city. Something for the historians to remember.”

He raised his fist. “Now, we ride!”