It’s too late to turn back now
It’s too loud to hear a sound;
I’m so lost I can’t be found;
It’s too late to turn back now
-Too Late – Dead by Sunrise

Tucked back in the snowy foothills of Icecrown was a small camp. It numbered no more than eight tents in all, doing a fair job of blending into the terrain. They flew their flags in Alliance-blue low which could only be spotted from a few short yards away. The flags did not sport the lion of Stormwind. In fact, today, they weren’t even ‘flying’ so much as hanging limply from their poles in the deathly still air. Normally SI:7 didn’t bother flying colors at all but there was an Alliance regiment elsewhere in the area. While the likelihood of them stumbling upon the small camp was slim to none, Jaylen Sunshade didn’t want to take the chance that either party would shoot first and ask questions later.

It was early morning, Jaylen sat in his tent, drumming his fingertips lightly against the small table. He was a handsome kaldorei, with long, straight hair, dark blue, often worn in a braid. He wore a mix of leathers and furs without any marking of rank or allegiance and he wore them well. He was frowning as Loreli pushed back the tent flap and stepped inside. Jaylen still recalled the first night he’d seen her and how it hadn’t been long before he was talking to Shaw about her joining SI:7. Jaylen had found his way into Loreli’s good graces swiftly enough but their personal relationship had suffered slightly during her marriage. After the divorce, when Loreli went running back to 7 to escape and forget, Jaylen had been ready and waiting to provide comfort.

Jaylen noted that Loreli looked better than she had in recent days, but there were still dark circles under her eyes and it appeared she’d merely raked fingers through her hair rather than any actual attempt at order. It had been two months since Channi—Loreli’s daughter through adoption—had been reported MIA. Loreli had shortly thereafter ended her relationship with Jaylen, stating that it was unfair to him when she had nothing left to give. Nothing he’d said had convinced her she needed him now more than ever and she’d been avoiding him ever since. That was fine, she could fool herself for now, but he’d get her back.

Jaylen’s tent was sparsely appointed, as he preferred to give the semblance of having no more than those he commanded. What it did have in abundance were maps. They were strewn across the table surface but Jaylen ignored them. His irritation was solely for the kaldorei woman in his entryway.

Loreli couldn’t blame him. It had been at least a couple of hours since she’d gotten word of his summons. She knew she should care. She knew she should apologize. She should make an effort to conduct herself as a proper SI:7 agent. Without Channi, none of it mattered.

“You wanted to see me, Sir?” She asked.

“Ages ago, Tymara. I know the events of the last two months have been hard on you. However, that doesn’t mean you may use it as a crutch, or bank on certain aspects of our relationship, former or otherwise.”

Loreli began to form an outraged protest but the words died unspoken. She made no excuses, she had no desire to justify her actions. At this point in her life, stuck in this snowy piece of hell, she cared less and less if she lived or died.

Jaylen’s expression softened slightly, but his words carried no less weight, “If you continue to be a hindrance to this unit, I’m fully prepared to ship you back to Stormwind. Forcefully if needed.”

Stormwind was the very last place she wanted to go. She could always allow herself to be discharged and hop a ship to Darnassus, but what would she do there? Dodge Lyas forever? At least out here, there was a chance her death could serve some purpose. If Lyas killed her, no one would know and no one would care. Jaylen had her full attention now. “That wont be necessary, Sir.”

Jaylen heaved a sigh, knowing that was the best he was going to get out of the rogue. “I’ve got an assignment for you.” He stood up and spun one of the maps around to face her, “There’s a company moving supplies from a staging camp here, up to this northern quadrant here.” He indicated the locations on the map of Icecrown.

Loreli raised an eyebrow, “So far from the Citadel?”

Jaylen shrugged, “Way I hear it, the leadership is getting ready for something big. Some sort of friendship forging, bond building trial by combat, or some such nonsense.” He looked at her pointedly, “They’ve requested one of our scouts to accompany them. I’d like to give them our best, but I’m not sure she’s with us anymore.”

The words stung. They shouldn’t have, but they did. She stepped forward, noting the points he’d marked. She was quiet a moment, eyeing the terrain, pondering the safest yet most expedient route. There was an area of low-lying foothills towards the end of the trek, an area she wasn’t sure of. She’d recommend to the Captain in charge they skirt around them as best they could.

“You’ll meet them here at dawn.” Jaylen indicated another spot on the map about two miles from the supply caravan’s noted origin. She looked askance at him and he replied, “There’s a contingent of Ebon Blade stationed here. The caravan shouldn’t meet trouble before they rendezvous with you.”

Loreli made a crisp salute, almost too much so, “Sir.” She turned to leave, not waiting for a dismissal.

“Lore…” Jaylen said. It was soft, barely above a whisper but she heard.

She paused, glancing over her shoulder at him, “Hm?”

“Be careful.”

She nodded and dropped the tent flap behind her.

***

Loreli blew into her hands and rubbed them together vigorously. The morning had broken colder than normal with a bite to the air. The rogue kept a vigilant eye on the road, expecting the caravan at any moment. It was difficult to tell time in Icecrown. The scourge seemed to have corrupted everything, including the sky. It constantly felt like twilight here. Loreli didn’t mind the darkness; it was just always so bloody cold.

Figures started to emerge out of the distance. Loreli drew back into the snow covered rock formation. As they came closer, she identified the blue standards and the lion tabard. She jogged out to meet them, relishing the feeling of getting her limbs moving again. As the night elf approached, a draenei stepped forward, bearing shield and mace in challenge. It was a woman with dark skin and dark hair in ringlets around her shoulders. A large grey bear growled from the challenger’s right. Bandits in Icecrown were rare, but there was also the Scarlet Crusade and the Cult of the Damned to worry about. Dressed as she was, in nondescript leathers and furs, face covered, Loreli could have been either.

The rogue was staring at the Draenei. Her raiment suggested shaman and so far she appeared to be quite well versed in the use of both mace and shield. As Loreli drew closer it became apparent that the large bear was a druid and she knew them both. “Arliece? Gin?”

The Draenei blinked and her face split into a grin, “Loreli! I heard you and Channi were in Dragonblight with SI:7. You’re our scout escort?” She stepped forward to grasp the rogue’s hand but was blocked when a large shape stepped between the two women. The bear had shifted back to his elvish form and grabbed Loreli in an almost bone-crushing hug. Loreli chuckled and stumbled slightly as he let go.

“Hey Gin, how’re you? Keeping her out of trouble?” Loreli asked, as she rolled her shoulders. Ginawa nodded and made a few quick hand gestures at Loreli. The rogue laughed and nodded. “Well, we can’t all be as charming as you, Gin.”

A much younger, higher pitched voice carried from somewhere within the crown. A few soldiers stepped aside. A young mage with her pale red hair bound in a pony-tail and a smattering of freckles on her face, emerged.

“Lore?! I heard Lore’s name. Lore can’t be here, she…” The mage girl stopped when she spotted the night elf woman, “Loreli!” She squealed, throwing herself at the rogue. Loreli couldn’t help but grin.

“Hey, Menley. They’re being good to you?” Loreli asked, indicating Arliece and Ginawa.

Menley giggled then nodded, “They do a good job of looking out for me.”

“Not that she needs it.” The Draenei grinned.

Menley continued, unperturbed, “It’s so great to see you! How are you? Those goons at SI:7 treating you okay? You look thin! Are you eating?”

Loreli and Arliece shook their heads, laughing. Ginawa smiled and watched the woman as they talked.

“I’ve missed you!” Menley said.

Loreli ruffled Menley’s hair, “Me too, kiddo.”

Menley pursed her lips and glanced past Loreli as if expecting something to come out of the snow behind her. “Channi back at the SI:7 camp?”

The rogue’s expression was suddenly somber. She was aware of three pairs of eyes focusing on her, “We… lost Channi… two months ago.” She mumbled.

Menley knit her brows together. She frowned and chewed on her lower lip, “Oh…”

Ginawa placed a comforting hand on Loreli’s shoulder as Arliece gave the rogue a sympathetic look, “Oh Lore… I’m so sorry.” She said.

“What in the nether is going on here?! Why are we stopped?” a third voice, this one male, demanded from the back of the caravan.

Loreli felt something twist in her stomach. That voice was all too familiar; especially raised in annoyance as it was. There was another disturbance amongst the soldiers. The clank of plate armor growing louder as the wearer approached.

“Oh no…” Loreli breathed, suddenly feeling nauseous. She swore harshly under her breath, causing Menley to blink in surprise.

A human male shoved his way to the front. He didn’t appear to be old, but his hair was graying at the temples. A bandage was wrapped around his head, covering one eye. The scarring peeking from under the gauze suggested, however, that it was a new injury.

“It’s the SI:7 escort, Sir.” Arliece said.

The man stood at the front of the line of soldiers, grumbling about the shady dealings of SI:7 and choice words about particular members. Loreli was fairly certain she caught her name amongst the tirade. He spotted the night elf rogue and swore.

“Nice to see you too, Laeth.” Loreli said. She managed to hold back the vast majority of sarcasm, even going so far as to offer a smile.

“Captain Weslock, to you.” He scowled, crossing his arms, “We don’t need a scout. Especially not an SI:7 spy. Go back to your whoremaster.”

“Gladly.” Loreli said, and meaning it. “Except, I have orders you can’t override.” She resisted the urge to slap him; refused to let him get to her.

“And so do we, Sir.” Arliece interjected, ignoring the scowl turned on her by the Captain.

Laeth turned his attention back to Loreli, the stare he gave her expressing a greater amount of displeasure than any words could manage. Loreli returned the look, cool and mostly untroubled.

Menley took an involuntary step back, as if afraid to be caught in the crossfire. “You two know each other?” she hazarded.

Loreli folded her arms across her chest. “Oh, we know each other, alright; unless Laeth wants to deny it.” Without another word, or even sparing another look for Laeth, she turned. “We’re heading out. Move!” She called. The soldiers in the front began to mobilize the others. Laeth’s scowl deepened, he raised his hand, halting them.

“Master Sergeant Tymara,” the Captain said with particular emphasis on her rank, “I’m in command. I give the orders.” He eyed her.

“Then give the order to move. I’m going.”

The rogue and the Captain glared at each other, neither willing to back down. Puzzle pieces started to fall into place in Arliece’s mind.

“Oh!” She exclaimed quietly, “Oh…”

Ginawa looked at Arliece, miming something. Arliece nodded with a frown. Menely was looking between them in confusion. “What?” The mage girl asked.

Arliece shook her head, putting a finger to her lips. The Draenei then stepped up behind the Captain and placed a cautious hand on his pauldron. “Sir, do we need to get moving or we’ll fall behind schedule.”

Laeth shook her off and turned to the soldiers, “Move out!”

Arliece gave the rogue another look of sympathy. Loreli had been getting a lot of those lately; she was getting rather tired of it.

***

Menley and Arliece whispered back and forth quietly while Ginawa would make hand gestures. Though Menley was getting better at reading them, occasionally she had to look to Arliece for a translations. Loreli had borrowed one of the extra horses and currently rode out ahead of the group. Laeth’s scowl followed her and never left his face. Every so often the rogue would gallop off, disappearing into the distance, only to return a short time later. She’d exchange as few words with Laeth as possible before trotting out ahead of the group again.

“What’s the deal?” Menley whispered, stepping closer to Arliece, “They really seem to despise each other. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone rattle Lore so easily.”

Arliece shook her head sadly, “I’m pretty certain they used to be married.” Ginawa mimed putting a ringer on his finger. Arliece nodded at him and continued, “I don’t know what happened, but I know it broke Loreli up pretty badly.”

Menley frowned and shot a glare at Laeth, “That’s awful.”

Arliece patted her young friend on the shoulder, “Now now. We don’t know the whole story. I find in these things one side is rarely the only to blame.”

Ginawa tilted his head at Arliece, glanced at Laeth, then glanced back. His expression was skeptical.

Menely jutted out her lower lip, she knew Arliece was right, “But… he’s such an asshole. I bet he cheated on her!” Her voice rose shrilly at the end. Laeth glance back at her in askance. The young mage girl turned bright right and bowed her head in apology.

Arliece blinked looking perplexed, “Who would turn Lore away from their bed?”

Menley eyed the shaman then stifled a giggle, “You’d take Lore to bed?” Ginawa grinned waggling his eyebrows at Arliece.

Arliece stopped, staring at Menley. One of the soldiers in formation behind them almost ran into her. Arliece mumbled apologies as Ginawa drew her out of the way. They started moving again as Menely burst into a fit of giggles.

“Well, not exactly. But I can appreciate why someone would want to!” Arliece was blushing slightly causing Menely to giggle harder.

“Maenestries!” Laeth’s voice carried back to them. Arliece stood up straight, saluting. Menley immediately sobered up and stood at attention.

“Lest you forget, this is hostile territory. I’ll thank you two to keep it down instead of bringing the scourge on us from all sides!” The Captain snapped.

“Then why are you shouting, ass?” The voice was quiet, meant only for Arliece, Menley and Ginawa to hear. Apparently Loreli had circled around and come up through the back ranks. Pulling the borrowed horse up alongside Arliece, she spared a grin for her friends.

“We should stop for the night.” The rogue said, more to herself than anyone else. She turned a look of distaste on Laeth and spurred the horse to a trot, pulling up along the Captain.

“It’s getting late. We should considering making camp.” Loreli told him.

“There’s a basin up ahead. We should camp there.” He replied, not looking at her.

Loreli blinked. She’d just returned from scouting that basin. There was only one path negotiable for their band in from the south and only one viable way out in the north. The west side sported high rocky cliffs. The east side was made up of only slightly more forgiving hillsides. The area above them was treacherous, riddled with deep snow drifts likely to snap a horse’s ankle or break a wagon axle. They could go through the basin, but she’d prefer to do it in daylight. If they had to keep going tonight, the best route would be to the west side. There were points where the trail thinned considerably and it was a quite drop into the valley ringing Icecrown’s center. It’d be much slower going but if they were careful it was easier to avoid the dangers.

“We’ll be sitting ducks.” She insisted, trying to remain calm.

“We’ll have the tactical advantage of being able to bottleneck anyone coming in.” He said, through gritted teeth.

Loreli folded her arms, “What about an aerial attack?”

“The basin is low enough. Visibility is so bad here at night and we’ll have enough ground cover. We shouldn’t be spotted from above.” He finally turned his irritated scowl on her.

“Are you daft?” She snapped, “We should camp at the head of the trail leading down. This group can mobilize fast enough, we can make a run for it if we get overwhelmed then use the bottleneck to our advantage. I think it’s idiotic to cripple us by blinding us on all sides.”

“I thought that’s what we were stuck with you for? Or are you incapable of even that much? I didn’t think they’d teach petty sneak-thieves and second-rate assassins proper tactics. I guess I was right.” Laeth sneered. He tugged on the reins and his horse came to a halt. He watched her, waiting for a reply.

Loreli’s expression fell and her shoulders slumped, “So we’re back to that again, are we?” She asked quietly, “Down talking me?” She shook her head, “You want to call me a whore next? You know how I love that one. Oh, wait. You pretty much already did.”

“Perhaps if you’d conduct yourself in a more respectable fashion the truth wouldn’t sting so badly.”

Loreli felt heat rise to her cheeks, her hands itched to strike out more than ever. “Funny, you didn’t seem to have an issue with my conduct when you MARRIED ME!” She had let him do exactly what she swore she wouldn’t. She was riled up now, hurt and angry, dredging through old memories she’d finally forgotten.

The rest of the company was watching them now. Her voice had carried to them but she paid no heed. Let them hear as the dirty laundry was aired out. Loreli knew she wasn’t entirely innocent in the collapse of her marriage to Leath. She did however know she was not wholly to blame.

“A mistake I think I rectified rather efficiently.” He hissed, leaning towards her. She caught his wary glance at the watching soldiers.

“A mistake?!” She demanded, “What’s the matter? Afraid your loyal followers will find out what an uncaring jerk you are? Well, I’ve got news for you! THEY ALREADY KNOW!”

“DON’T RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME, WOMAN!”

“WHAT?! NOT USED TO PEOPLE FIGHTING BACK, ARE YOU?!”

Menely started as Arliece stepped forward.

“Where are you going?!” The young mage asked.

“To put a stop to this before they kill each other.”

Ginawa looked at Menley. He linked his fingers together before his chest and made a show of violently ripping his hands away from each other. He them hit his knuckles together, showing Menley the connection would no longer hold.

Menely nodded sadly, “You’re right, Gin. Some things once broken can never be repaired.”

***

Arliece argued with Laeth as fervently as she dared. The Captain refused to listen, intent instead, on flinging more insults at Loreli.

Soon camp was set up at the bottom of the basin, near the trail leading out on its northern edge. That left a whole lot of open space to the south. Loreli made mention to Laeth that she was not comfortable with their positioning. He made no effort to hide how annoyed he was as he assigned a patrol to the area. He then ordered Loreli not to worry about it.

“Now, go do something useful.” He told her.

***

Loreli finished her perimeter sweep but did not return to Laeth’s tent to make her report. She was too worried she’d end up strangling him before she was done. Instead, she climbed to the top of one of the higher hills ringing the small basin they were camped in. There she sat staring out into the snowy, barren wasteland of Icecrown wondering if perhaps she should have to turned around and told Jaylen she was refusing the assignment the moment she saw Laeth. She felt as if her heart were breaking all over again and she didn’t even have Channi’s bright, reassuring smile to keep her going.

He’s right, you know? You’re worthless; nothing more than a petty thief, a poor excuse for an assassin and a cheap whore. Lyas would have gutted you by now if you’d stayed. The only thing you do well is lie. Maybe if you’d given a shit about someone beside yourself, Channi’d be alive. That’s right, you know she’s dead, why bother trying to convince yourself otherwise? That should have been you. You should have been there with her. Why weren’t you there?

Movement in the dim light off to her left caught her attention breaking her from the vicious mental circle she’d been running. The sounds of shuffling in the snowy darkness made her freeze, ears straining to hear. The smell of death and decay assailed her nose and she bit back a curse. Quickly she got to her feet drawing her daggers but she was too slow, a blade leveled itself at her and she stared up into the cold blue eyes of a death knight, well aware that this was no freed servant of the Ebon Blade. The chill emanating from the dark plated figure before her cut straight to the bone, scourged ghouls assembled behind him en-masse.

There was nowhere to run. She was surrounded by scourge on all sides with no clue how many she actually faced. Stepping back, she’d be met with an almost sheer rock face, dangerous to traverse even in daylight. If she were lucky, maybe they didn’t know the camp was there. All the fires were out and the bottom of the basin was black as pitch. She could attempt to cut a swath through the scourge lining the cliff and lead them away from the caravan resting below. It was assuredly suicide but her death was a small price in exchange for her friends and the soldiers below. This was her fault anyway.

Without a word or a glance spared for the death knight she dropped to the ground, rolling precariously close to the ledge. One leg came up knocking the rune-blade away, though the death knight maintained a grip on his weapon. Rising to her feet, she laid into the scourge blocking her way to the left and away from the trail leading downward. The mindless ghouls closed in around her, the death knight cutting a path through them heedless of their waste, trying to get to her as well. She was almost clear of the scourge blockade. Loreli risked a glance backward, the death knight had broken off his pursuit. He gestured and the endless wall of scourge began to scramble over the edges of the cliff, freefalling into the basin below.

Loreli paused, stunned. The full weight of the threat began to come clear. The first round of scourge into the bowl may be immobile but the other going in after that would have a considerable cushion. Any not smashed into a fine bone powder could be raised again at the bottom. She needed to sound the alarm.

“SCOURGE! SCOURGE! TO ARMS!” Loreli called into the darkness, with no clue if anyone heard or not. Her festering barricade was closing in tighter around her. She’d lost all the headway she’d made and still no response signal from the camp below. She flipped a dagger, tucking the blade against her forearm, digging in one of the many pockets on her gear. Her other hand still slashed at the scourge, though the gesture was futile. Pulling the flare from her pocket she popped the end causing it to ignite almost blinding in the darkness. Loreli had barely a moment to fling the beacon into the sky before the ghouls swarmed her over the edge of the cliff.

Loreli barely registered the sensation of falling. She knew even if she didn’t die on impact with the ground, she was as good as dead anyway. She’d be in no condition to fight back. The scourge would kill her and raise her and send her against her companions. Well, she had lantern fluid and she had flint and tinder, she just hoped her hands were in good enough condition to use them if it came to it. THUD!

Loreli heard a sickening crack come from somewhere, stars exploded before her vision and pain lanced up her left arm. It took a good few moments for her to register what had happened. Surely as the scourge were cushioning the fall of their forces, they’d done the same for her. Except, she was pretty sure her arm was broken and thus useless. One good arm with a dagger was not enough to ward off an army of ghouls but she had to move. Pain thudded harshly against her skull but she forced herself to get up and stumble towards the camp. The scourge were mobilizing, slowly, but mobilizing they were.

There were lanterns being lit up ahead, winking to life in the darkness. Either the camp had seen her flare or the first wave of scourge had hit. She prayed to the Light, to Elune, to anyone who would listen that it was the former. Upon entering the camp she was immediately met with a cross-bow bolt shoved menacingly in her face.

“For the love of Elune, don’t shoot!” Loreli raised her good arm, leveling a half glossed gaze at the soldier. “Where’s Captain Weslock?” She asked.

“How do I know you’re not scourged?” The young soldier demanded. Behind him the camp was organized chaos. Soldiers were running back and forth, readying weapons, relaying and carrying out orders. Loreli spotted the back of Menley’s head congregating with the other spell casters, but Arliece wasn’t among them and neither was Ginawa.

“I may be shambling like one, but I assure you, I am not scourged.” Loreli snapped in no mood to have this argument.

“Let her through!” The young soldier immediately retrained his cross-bow elsewhere upon Laeth’s barked order.

“That was a hell of a stunt you pulled up there, Lore.” He scowled, “You have my thanks…”

Loreli blinked in surprise just as a high-pitched scream rang above the clash of weapons. “Menley!” The rogue dashed through the combatants, finally reaching the spot where the arcane group had been gathering. One or more of them had dropped a death knight but he’d managed to run Menley through with his sword.

“She was trying to save me…” Someone nearby said, though Loreli didn’t pay attention to whom.

Loreli looked around frantically. “Medic! Where’s Arliece?!” She demanded.

“Sir!,” one of the other mages—a gnome—acknowledged Laeth as he came up behind Loreli. “The north edge of the camp has been overrun. Maenestries and the druid were with them.”

Loreli looked up, kneeling, she was eye to eye with the gnome, “What about the other healers?” She asked.

There were screams ranging from around the camp now. A few of the tents had caught fire and most of the soldiers were too busy defending their lives to do anything about it. Loreli glanced over her shoulder at Laeth who was staring at her left arm.

“Gods Lore, your…!”

“I’ll be fine!” She insisted, getting to her feet. To the gnome she said, “Stay with her. I’m going over there.”

“Lore! You can’t…” Laeth began to protest but she was already gone. With a curse he turned to one of the soldiers, “Round up as my of the healers as you can find and bring them back here. The rest of you, hold ground! We’ll need for reform if we’re to survive this.” He waited just long enough to receive salutes then went off in search of Loreli.

The northern edge of the camp was ablaze, smoke rising into the dark sky above. It was also completely overrun by scourge. There weren’t any Alliance troops in sight, there weren’t even any corpses, meaning the victims had either been raised by the enemy or the bodies had been disposed of to keep them from doing just that. If Arliece and Ginawa were numbered among those lost already Loreli would never find the pair and she knew the druid wouldn’t have let Arliece out of his sight. If they died, they died together.

Her head was pounding harder and the pain in her arm was lancing through her shoulders. She needed to get back to others so they could regroup.

“LORE! MOVE!” Laeth slammed into her from the right. They went down, lading hard in the blood soaked snow. Loreli cried out as she landed on her broken arm, which turned to surprise as she felt the energy and heard the sizzle of magic. Laeth lay unmoving on the ground next to her. She struggled to turn him in the heavy plate armor, knowing that whoever cast that would be along shortly to finish the job. Laeth’s eyes were glassy as they stared up at her, there was a smoking hole in his breast plate. He’d taken the blast meant for her full-on.

“Sweet light of Elune! You stupid STUPID man! I’m no leader! Who’s going to get us out of this now?!” She demanded, feeling tears of frustration forming. True, she and Laeth didn’t get along in the end, were cruel and bitter towards one another but she had never wished anything like this on him, especially not in her place.

“Lore…” His voice barely carried over the sounds of combat, “I’m… sorry… for how… it ended.”

“Shut up!” She snapped, “Just…” Her voice softened, “Just shut up and die with some dignity, you ass.” But he was already gone. Choking back a sob she pulled his sword from his hand and grabbed a piece of burning debris. Loreli pulled the small bottle of lantern oil and poured it over the body. She dropped the make-shift torch and only hung around long enough to ensure that it lit before she turned and headed back towards the other end of camp.

Menley had died in the short time Loreli had been gone. The soldier tasked with locating the healers reported in a shaking voice that the scourge had had the same idea. He found them, just in time to watch them be slaughtered. He could not confirm if Arliece had been among them and no one could say they’d seen Ginawa either.

Loreli looked around. There were so few of them left; a couple of heavy fighters, a warlock, the gnome mage and herself. She looked between them, feeling helpless. She pulled another flare from her pocket.

“Are you insane?” The warlock asked incredulously, “That’ll bring even more of them down us.”

“In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re dead anyway. This might bring help. I’m willing to risk it.” Loreli looked around at the others who nodded their accession. She swallowed hard, broke the end and nodded to the warlock, “If you would.” She threw it as high as she could. The warlock shot a bolt of energy at it, knocking it higher into the sky and causing it to burn brighter.

“Now, we fight… and pray.” Loreli said.

They lasted longer than she expected. The melee fighters in plate went down first, as they’d formed up trying to protect Loreli and the spell casters. The gnome fell next. Loreli bit her lip, fumbling in her pockets for the rest of the lantern oil. She glanced briefly at the warlock, even as exhausted and haggard as the human woman appeared, Loreli could tell she was beautiful.

“What’s your name?” Loreli asked.

“Verlyas. Yours?”

“Loreli. It was a pleasure fighting along side you, Verlyas. I’m sorry I failed.”

The woman shook her head, giving Loreli a sympathetic look, “We never stood a chance.”

The scourge closed in around them, Loreli heard Verlyas’ body hit the snow. She was still fumbling for the bottle of lantern oil when something traced a line like fire across her back. She was barely aware of the wet heat spreading out from the contact point, her voice crying out as she fell. The ground was cold, so cold. It ripped all the warmth from her body. She stared up into the smoke filled sky. A face swam in her vision, a girl in her late teens, black hair pulled back into a pony-tail. Her eyes were the blue glow of the death knight, but that was wrong.

They should be green, was her last thought.

Once her vision focused she was sick for an entirely different reason. Jaylen’s face blurred above her. His expression self-satisfied and smug as he stroked her cheek. She noticed the bandage wrapped around his midsection through the light shirt he wore; found herself wishing she’d stabbed him harder. It took a few moments of willing her muscles to respond, but she was finally able to turn her head and bury it in the pillow. Jaylen grabbed a fistful of her hair and forced her to look at him.

“That’s not a very warm welcome.” he chided.

Loreli managed to smile sweetly, “Then untie me and we’ll try again.”

Jaylen shook his head, “No, no, I don’t think so. I’m rather fond of you like this.”

“Sick fuck.” Loreli muttered under her breath. She shivered again, “Why… is it so cold…?”

“The fever will pass. The lethargy will not.”

“The poison…” She licked her lips, “You… you can’t keep dosing me, you’ll kill me… that seems… counterproductive.”

Jaylen shook his head, “You forget who you’re talking to.”

Loreli sighed inwardly. Poisons were one of Jaylen’s more advanced talents. This worried her greatly. “What’s in it to make it act so quickly?” She asked.

Jaylen shook his head again, “Oh no. I’m not giving up that little piece of information.”

“It’s not like I can get a hold of anything to counter-act it. I’m just curious.” She knew she wasn’t fooling him. She didn’t care, talking kept him distracted from other ventures.

“We’re not playing anymore, Lore. You lost.” He said. “Might be a good time to accept defeat and come back to SI:7. You’re mine either way.” he shrugged. “One will just be… more comfortable for you.”

To almost anyone else he would have sounded like he was gloating but Loreli caught the nervous edge in his voice. He sounded like he wasn’t entirely sure of the situation. She started cross referencing her conversation with Aiya.

Shaw wouldn’t sanction her abduction, not this late in the game. There was nothing to be gained from it. It wasn’t like they could ransom her to anyone of interest. Jaylen knew that Loreli had found out about his laundering money from Seven. He hadn’t seemed terribly surprised when Loreli had brought it up. He must have gotten the information out of Miriam. Loreli was just thankful she hadn’t passed the information to Jeb. Jaylen had killed Miriam. If he just wanted to keep Loreli quiet he could have done the same to her. He wanted to keep her alive and she didn’t have to guess why. So he was apprehensive solely because she was alive and Shaw didn’t know? That wasn’t like Jaylen.

Loreli eyed him, “Shaw doesn’t know I’m alive, does he?” she watched his expression change, “You’re defying his order to kill me.” She managed a week laugh. “I think I’d be flattered, if I weren’t, ya know, a hostage!”

“Shut up.” He said. Yet, his attention wasn’t on her, she’d gotten him thinking and there was something else. Jaylen was… afraid? She couldn’t tell if he was angry or confused about his actions. She knew it wouldn’t last. “Look, Jaylen, he won’t buy it forever. He’ll see right through you. Leave SI:7, I’ll… I’ll stay with you… willingly.”

She didn’t expect to win his trust that easily, but on the slim chance he was distracted just enough she’d try.

Did anyone know she was alive? She was sure Zha’ane at the very least would continue looking, even if all evidence suggested she was dead. Zha’ane may not even know she was missing, yet. He and Channi could still be in Darnassus and for who knows how long. Aely. Aely wouldn’t give up and if Zha’ane didn’t return before too long she’d make sure to get word to him. She didn’t even know where she was. How was anyone else supposed to find her? Jaylen wouldn’t leave an easily followed trail.

“Shut up!” He barked.

“You can’t fool him!”

“Shut UP, Lore!”

“He may already know…”

“SHUT UP, LORE!”

“HE’LL DEMAND PROOF!” She snapped.

“I’LL GIVE IT TO HIM!” Jaylen had a knife in his hand, holding it to her ear. Loreli went deathly still; this had not been part of the plan.

“You wouldn’t do that…” she breathed.

“Oh, wouldn’t I?” He asked. His voice dropped to match her volume. He moved the knife away from her ear, finding the older wound he’d left on her other thigh. He slid the blade along it, reopening the gash. Loreli winced, biting down on her lower lip to stifle a cry of pain. She tasted blood.

“He’ll know…” She gasped, “Whatever ‘proof’ you give him, he’ll know…”

He snarled at her, “Enough talking.” He covered her mouth with his hand, “There’s no need for you to talk.” He said, trailing hungry kisses along her cheek to her neck.

She closed her eyes and willed the darkness to return.

***

Jaylen startled her awake with a slap to the face. Loreli blinked in confusion and pain, trying to fight off the disorientation.

“Who’s Zha’ane?” Jaylen demanded.

Loreli blinked a few more times before her expression turned incredulous. “What are you raving about?”

“Zha’ane. Who is he?”

Loreli fought back the small shimmer of hope. She had no idea how long it’d been. Could Zha’ane really be close?

“Leave me alone.” She muttered, trying to turn away from him.

Jaylen leaned over her, speaking close to her ear, stroking her hair, “That’s alright, honey. You and I both know I’ll find him. I’ll be sure to give him your regards before I kill him.”

What had happened? She couldn’t recall. Something had gone wrong. She’d messed something up, but what? Who had she pissed off this time? Would Lyas bail her out? A nagging in the back of her mind told her that was wrong. She was confused about time, remembering things long in the past.

Then what? A flash of an image; a note, a mouse. Still wrong. Thoughts were all jumbled, vying for dominance. Which were right? Why couldn’t she open her eyes? If she could just see!

Focus!

The mouse. Why was she important? She? Another snippet of memory. A woman, slightly mousey, though potentially pretty.

It all hit her at once, threatened to make her violently ill with the force of it. Miriam. Loreli always remembered their names. Miriam was dead and Loreli knew it was her fault. She knew what happened when she played with people, toying with their emotions and desires. She’d been doing it long enough, escaping the aftermath long enough. She just hoped Jeb was okay. Had he managed to deliver her message? Would it matter?

Never mind. She thought. I don’t want to wake up. I don’t deserve to wake up. I know what I’ll find and I don’t want it. She had one last fleeting thought of Zha’ane. Then she allowed her consciousness to wander past the guilt, past the pain, back into nothingness.

***

Pain. Pain and the sensation of weightlesness, vertigo. Or was the floor actually moving? Wooden planks beneath her? Sea air… definitely a salt tang. Ocean. A boat? Sailing. Where to? Noises. Crew shouting back and forth across the deck. Seagull calls. Close enough to shore for birds. Leaving port? Heading into? No way to know. Voices.

“Jay! You need to rest…”

“Calm down, Aiya. I’m fine. We’ll be departing shortly, make sure she’s ready to travel.”

Departing? Heading into port then? Loreli heard heavy footfalls heading away from her, ascending stairs. Heading above deck then. Lighter steps coming toward her. A woman? Someone kneeled next to her. Loreli kept her eyes closed.

“Stupidest thing he’s ever done.” A female voice muttered, speaking in Darnassian. “You make him stupid and he won’t listen to reason. He’s going to get us all thrown in the stocks, or hanged. Should have just slit your throat…”

Fabric rustled, Loreli chanced cracking an eye. It was a night elf who kneeled before her. Loreli judged the other woman to be smaller than herself, her robes suggested a priestess. She was looking over her shoulder at steps leading above deck.

“I could do it now…” the kal’dorei woman said to herself.

“I wouldn’t recommend it…” Loreli’s voice weak from disuse. How long had she been out?

The woman Jaylen had addressed as Aiya jumpped back, eyeing the rogue. “You’re awake. I should…” Aiya glanced over her shoulder.

“Killing me would only piss him off after the trouble he went through to capture me. You’re dead then, anyway. Let me go, I’ll swim to shore.”

“Keep your silver tongue in your pretty head.” Aiya snapped. “You’d never make the swim. That wound was pretty bad. I could say you attacked me…” she mused.

“You work for Jay, so I know you’re not stupid.” Loreli told her.

“Shut up.” Aiya insisted.

“Alright. Shutting up. Just remember, if you let me go, less chance you end up in the stocks. He’d never have to know you freed me.” Loreli closed her eyes, leaning back against the wooden planks making up the wall.

Loreli heard Aiya’s footfalls as she headed above deck. Shortly, two sets of footsteps returned.

“Lore?” That was Jaylen’s voice.

Loreli knew pretending to be asleep wouldn’t work. She tried anyway. When she didn’t respond, Jaylen grasped her throat, squeezing. Loreli’s eyes flew open.

“Thats better.” he said, releasing her

Loreli loosed a string of sputtering, swearing filled insults at him. Jaylen nodded indulgently as he pulled a small blade from his belt. She fell silent as he coated the blade with powder. He moved toward her and Loreli tried to scramble away. There was nowhere to go and she was still sluggish.

Jaylen pinned her legs and drew the blade across the barely healed scar on her thigh. Loreli responded with another round of vehemenent, acidic swearing.

It wasn’t long before her thoughts started to drift. She was able to call him one last name before everything went black.

Miriam crumpled to the floor in a lifeless heap. Jaylen had been executing people like this for years; Loreli entertained no notions of saving Miriam. She needed to focus on her own survival. Judging from the way Jaylen was looking at her, she needed to do it soon.

Loreli cut loose her tangled dagger, heedless of fabric or flesh in the way. She saw the opening and rushed him. He tossed the knife he’d used to kill Miriam aside. Drawing sword and dagger, he was quick enough to deflect her slash. He circled her, making a show of watching her move. He could tell she was worn or playing at it well. Even if she was, he knew her too well to relax around those blades. He needed to chip away at her more, turn the game to his advantage. He watched her struggle to reign in her temper so she could focus. This too, he could use against her, if he did it just right.

Loreli narrowed her eyes at him. She didn’t like watching his mind work. She knew physically they could go round and round for hours and never gain any ground on either side. The stakes of the game were higher now as both sides knew the other’s hand. The trick would be the order in which the cards were played. Much of that would be dictated by who made the first move.

Silently and with no change of expression, Jaylen closed the distance. Loreli held her defensive position, turning his blows, watching for an opening around the extra range his longer weapon afforded. Lack of sleep from the last couple of weeks was finally catching up to her. She knew Jaylen saw it. That was fine, she could play that up.

Loreli pressed back, her lower center of gravity bringing her in at an angle slightly underneath his. Jaylen wasn’t fooled, deflecting easily, pressing back in a flurry of blows. He locked her daggers, stepping in close.

“You’re tired.” He stated.

“You’re playing.” She snarled.

He shrugged, “I’ve always enjoyed watching you fight. Admired the way you…” he paused, glancing down the plunging neckline of her dress, “…move.”

Loreli didn’t have to follow his eyes to know where he was looking, “I think you’re watching the wrong curves!” She snapped. With that, she twisted to her left and drove her knee to the inside of his. It buckled under the blow as his body was drawn towards the floor. She twisted back the other way and brought her elbow straight up behind her making solid contact with his chin. Playing with her or not, he was seeing stars. Steel rang as blades slid free and Loreli immediately went for his throat.

Sensing the release of the weapons, Jaylen was already pulling back in a defensive maneuver. He managed to deflect her attack and throw his weight into the backwards fall. It was only enough to keep her dagger from splitting his throat. Instead it grazed the skin and blood welled from the cut. He hit a table placed in the center of the room, harder than he expected and almost reacted too slowly when Loreli refused to give away her upper-hand and moved to attack him while he was prone. He let her get just close enough before bringing his leg up and landing a kick to her stomach that knocked the breath from her.

Loreli staggered back, drawing in a long ragged breath. Jaylen was getting to his feet. Wiping away the blood at his neck, he looked at his hand and then returned his gaze to her. Loreli could not recall ever having seen Jaylen truly angry, irritated perhaps, but not angry. He went into battle with a deadly, efficient calm she had always envied. What she saw now made her pause, if only a moment and wonder just how out-matched she really was. Yet, could she turn this to her advantage?

“What’s going to happen when Shaw finds out about your little money making scheme?” Loreli asked, setting her stance to take another advance.

“Seeing as he’s not going to find out, I’m not terribly worried about it.” He growled.

Loreli made a quick indicative nod in his direction, “Shame about your shirt. Blood stains and white never did go well together. Guess we’ll just have to dye the whole thing red to match.”

“That sounds an awful lot like a threat. Do you hate me that much?”

Loreli barked a laugh, “Oh, you have no idea.” She went on the attack.

Back and forth they went, trading blows, trading wounds. Jaylen took to using whatever he could get his hands on to slow her down. She spun away and he grabbed the end of her skirt, dragging her back to him. He got a slash in on her arm before she cut the excess fabric away and put distance between them again. He gave chase and took two wounds to before he was able to gain the upper-hand again.

She was getting in too many shots, holding the offensive too long before he was able to take control of the situation back. He was going to tire before she did. He needed to do something, let her get close. He saw his opportunity as she advanced and took it.

Jaylen watched her dagger arc towards him, steeled himself and purposely feinted a hair too late. He didn’t have to fake the colorful swearing that erupted as the blade buried in his side. It was an extremely risky move but he was out of tricks. He dropped to the floor and struggled to focus as she stalked towards him. He’d have to do this fast. Loreli was kneeling at his side now, ready to slit his throat, much the same way he’d done Miriam.

“Wait!” He gasped, hiding a smile as Loreli’s hand stilled.

“Why?” She snarled the question.

“I… just want you to know… before you kill me.” ,Just wait a few seconds more, honey. “That… I loved you.”

Fury contorted her face, outrage at his audacity. “Nice try, asshole.” But she’d hesitated too long. He grabbed her wrist in a grip so tight, she could feel the bones grinding together. His other hand planted a blade in her side, the same spot she’d wounded him, adding irony to the injury. She tried to finish him off, but his grip on her wrist wouldn’t slacken.

Suddenly Loreli felt dizzy, tired, the edges of her vision began to turn dark. She realized too late, his blade had been poisoned and she had no antidote. The poison took only seconds to claim her consciousness and she slumped forward.

Jaylen spared a moment to stroke her hair, “I always warned you to quit being such a sucker, sweetheart.”

Loreli froze, her heart skipping a few beats. Slowly she turned, placing herself between Jaylen and Jeb. Through the darkness she could barely make out Jaylen’s form. However, she could just see Miriam. Jaylen appeared to have one hand gripping her hair, pulling her head back. The other held a knife to her throat.

“Go!” Loreli hissed at Jeb.

“But… he won’ be alone!” The young man insisted, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Probably not but you can make it, my life depends on it. Go!”

She didn’t hear Jeb slip out, but she knew he was gone. She prayed to Elune to spare her any more blood guilt tonight. It was dark enough on the edges of the room, maybe Jaylenn hadn’t noticed Jeb leave. Loreli tightened her grip on her dagger and went for her second back-up, strapped to her thigh, under her skirt. It caught on something and wouldn’t come loose.

“Where’s the other traitor?” Jaylen asked. When she didn’t answer, his tone grew more insistent, “Lore!”

Loreli nodded back towards the door, “Gone.” was all she said.

Jaylen shrugged, “He won’t get far. I have to admit, I’m impressed. I’ve apparently underestimated your charms. To turn these two, so easily, one so loyal to King and country, the other loyal to Seven. You truly are amazing. Tell me, did you sleep with them both?”

Loreli snarled and clenched her fist at his implication.

“If you want to be a whore, I’ll gladly accommodate you. Love the dress, by the way.” He said.

Loreli found herself wishing she’d taken the time to change before finding Jeb. The dress she’d worn at the Mirror was very revealing with a lot of fabric. Not ideal for a fight and that appeared to be what this was coming to. Her first concern at the time had been verifying Jeb’s safety and she hadn’t even considered her attire.

“You remember how we deal with traitors, don’t you, Lore?” Jaylen asked.

Miriam’s eye rolled toward her, Loreli could see the low light reflecting off the whites. She could imagine the pleading look she must be getting.

“Jaylen, don’t…’

“Don’t what, Lore? What don’t you want me to do?” He asked.

“Don’t kill her.”

Jaylen tilted his head in mock-confusion, “Why not? She’s a traitor, after all. That’s the problem with traitors. You can’t trust them. But you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, Lore?” Together, Jaylen and Miriam took a step forward, “But she didn’t know, did she? You lied to her from the beginning. Impersonating an SI:7 agent! Mocking all that she held dear! Didn’t you?”

Loreli furrowed her brow, what was Jaylen up to? Did he think Jeb was still around? Was he trying to turn another possible ally to his side?

“Answer me, Lore. Or she dies!”

“You play the game as well as I do, Jaylen. Maybe better.”

Jaylen laughed and pulled the knife from Miriam’s throat. In an instant Miriam had snatched the knife from his hand and slammed into Loreli, knocking the rogue over. Miriam stood over her, knife pointed at her throat. Her eyes blazed fury.

“You! You…! You lied to me!”

Loreli blinked and look back and forth between Miriam — brandishing the weapon at her — and Jaylen who was still laughing. “I…” she began, as her mind put the pieces together. Jaylen had played the game better than she had. He’d turned Miriam.

“She’s quite the actress, isn’t she? I dare say she could be almost as good as you.” Jaylen chuckled.

Miriam was still trying to articulate her anger, “You tricked me! You used me! I would have never… ever… Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you?!”

Loreli softened her voice. She could easily disarm Miriam at any moment, the way she was holding that knife. However, that would not help Loreli’s cause. “You’re not a killer, Miriam. You don’t want this on your conscience.”

“Like you?!” Miriam spat, “He told me all about you! All the innocent lives lost for your schemes! How can you live with yourself?!”

Loreli had to close her eyes against the force of Miriam’s words. She knew Jaylen had been feeding Miriam stories, making Loreli out to be the villain. Yet, the rogue remembered all of them; every face and every name. If she hadn’t known their names before they died, she’d gone back to learn them. Jaylen knew that, had mocked her for it, had tried to change her. Loreli shook her head.

“Did he also tell you that everything I did, I did on SI:7’s orders? Many of them from Shaw himself.”

“You’re lying!” She glanced over her shoulder at Jaylen, “She’s lying! Right?”

“Of course. Nothing she said to you was true before. Why now?” Jaylen asked.

“Miriam… what did he tell you his name was? Jasen? Janen? How about Jareth? Jaren? …Jaden?” she watched Miriam’s eyes widen slightly in recognition. “Aliases, all of them. His real name is Jaylen and I know you’re smart enough to put that together.”

Miriam’s eyes widened further, if possible. She began backing away from Loreli, turned, saw Jaylen behind her and squeaked, trying to get away from them both. Loreli saw Jaylen start to move, she was fast, but he had the distance advantage and she had to get up off the floor. He got to Miriam first. Before Loreli could blink, Jaylen had snatched the knife from Miriam’s hand and slit her throat.

Loreli sat alone at the table, watching but not watching the rest of the Mirror’s patrons. She wasn’t entertaining tonight and had turned down a number of offers. She just couldn’t bring herself to do that to Zha’ane. It was interesting how one’s taste for this business could sour over night. She’d decided she’d done enough and would tell Bricu as much when she spoke with him next. Now she was troubled.

The wine had done nothing to calm her nerves and she’d stopped drinking, leaving the glass over two-thirds full. She hadn’t expected Miriam to come back the next evening. Loreli wasn’t surprised when she hadn’t shown up the next night either. However, now it’d been four days with no sign of the other woman. Loreli had arranged for another bouquet of flowers to be sent by Miriam’s office and paid the delivery boy extra to return so she could ‘ask how her lover had received her gift.’ He’d reported that Miriam wasn’t in that day. Loreli had tried to tell herself that maybe Miriam had just been sick that day; but she knew better. Something had gone horribly wrong.

A draenei woman stepped up to the table; she tossed a small folded sheet of parchment onto its surface. Loreli looked up at her, raising a questioning eyebrow. The draenei shrugged, “Kid at the door said give it to the elf with the plain face. You’re the only one, honey.”

Loreli blinked, momentarily confused, plain..? Oh! She’d been covering up her facial markings with make-up. Between that and the purple hair, she’d barely recognized herself in the mirror. Hoping the note was from Miriam, she snatched it off the table and unfolded it.

Four words started back at her and dropped the bottom out of her stomach. They were written in handwriting she knew well. She remembered teasing Jaylen about his perfect penmanship and his slightly flowing script. She’d know it anywhere, alright.

‘I’ve got your mouse.’

The parchment fell from her hand, fluttering back to the table. In an instant she was out the door. If Miriam had been compromised, she needed to get to Jeb and fast. She may already be too late.

***

It was one of many abandoned buildings in the warehouse district of Stormwind. They weren’t exactly warehouses, but a series of small shops that had been left without owners or employees. A lot of businesses in the area had been forced to shut down. More and more of the able bodied workers had joined the ranks of the army or moved their business up north where they perceived a great call for their trade. Now the city was attempting to make use of the area by renting the buildings out for storage. However, business was not booming.

Loreli hadn’t had much time to consider or debate her methods of getting a message to Jeb or the location of their meeting. Given another option, she would have elected not to meet him at all. Except, she didn’t want to trust committing any messages to parchment and there were too many people involved already.

So it went that Loreli found herself pacing the back room of one of the empty shops. She’d lost track of how long she’d been waiting. All she knew was that Jeb should have been here by now. Had her message been intercepted? Had Jeb been unable to get away? Or worse…

Loreli shook her head, clearing bleak thoughts and almost missed the sound of the door opening. The room was dark; the only light a small shaft coming through a dusty window from a lantern in the street. It was weak light at best but enough for Loreli’s eyes to make out indistinct shadows. Jeb would be virtually blind. Loreli stepped back away from the door, holding her breath. There was a long silence, the only sound soft-controlled breathing and the occasional barely audible shifting of the room’s other occupant.

“… Miss Lore…?” Jeb’s voice whispered softly. Loreli moved through the darkness, silent as a wraith. She came up behind him, matching his breathing pattern. He was unable to keep still in his nervousness. She grabbed him, clamping a hand over his mouth to muffle the resulting shout of surprise. He struggled, trying to break her hold.

“Calm down. For the love of Elune, calm down. It’s just me.” She hissed in his ear.

It took only a moment for her voice and words to sink in. Finally he calmed but she didn’t release him.

“I’m going to let go, now. Please try to resist the urge to shout at me for startling you.” Loreli removed her hand but didn’t step back too far so he knew where she was.

“You’re crazy!” He hissed, though he kept his voice down. “Ya tryin’ ta scare the bejeezus outta me?!”

“Never leave your back exposed.” Loreli reprimanded. She watched his shadow move, figured he was crossing his arms.

“Ya dragged me here ta tell me that?!” He asked indignantly.

“No, I asked you here to hopefully keep you and me alive. Leaving your back exposed is counter-productive to my cause.” She continued before he could interrupt, “My other contact has been compromised. If Jaylen’s gotten to her, I’m afraid you may be next. I’m terribly sorry for this. If things go bad, I need you to take a message to the Pig and Whistle in Old Town. Be careful! And do not, under any circumstances, mention that you are or were SI:7.”

Jeb was staring at her unable to respond. This was way more than he could process. He’d have to trust her judgment and do as he was told.

Loreli raked a hand through her hair before continuing. “Alright, here’s what you tell them; ‘Sorry about first impressions ruined. The parchment’s clear. The unworthy brothers have taken control of the source, while the lore of the scholars has promised to ward the courier.’”

Jeb nodded, repeating the message back to her.

Then, things went bad…

Loreli awoke enclosed in the circle of strong arms. Her first thought was Jaylen and she experienced a moment of panic before the realization dawned on her. The hair draped across the shoulder she was resting her head on was just a little too light, the skin a little too pale. She knew who that coloring belonged to, regardless. Lifting her head slightly she craned her neck looking up at Zha’ane’s sleeping face. Pretending to sleep was more likely. Zha’ane was the only person she knew who slept lighter and could wake up faster than she could.

She sorted through her memories, trying to recall what had happened last night. She didn’t think she’d gotten drunk; not that she’d need to be drunk to go to bed with Zha’ane. She’d considered it a few times before in the old days (before her failed marriage and a really poor relationship choice in Jaylen), but Zha’ane wasn’t the type to go to bed with someone just because and she’d never been able to ascertain if the attraction had been mutual. Add to that that she was at least suitably clothed for bed and something wasn’t adding up.

***
　
They’d been at the Pig and Whistle last night. Zha’ane had brought Loreli flowers and apparently Aely and even Arrens had seen what Loreli herself had been missing for the better part of a year at least.

“So Lore, did th’ smitten elf behin’ ye give ye th’ flowers? Or do ye ha’ twa admirers?” Aely had asked in front of the entire crowd assembled at the Pig. After Loreli didn’t answer, the paladin had continued – “Oh c’mon, dinna ye see it, lass? ’s plain’s th’ ears oan ‘is head.”

Zha’ane had turned quite a plum shade of purple; while Loreli, in her poor judgment had made a debacle of things after taking him outside to talk.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She asked.

“I didn’t exactly try to hide it back before the wedding…” He said.

“I was getting married! That’s not exactly the best time to drop hints, subtle or otherwise. I was in love, or thought I was… I was… distracted.”

“Look… if it’s a problem…”

She blinked a few times, her jaw dropping, “A problem?! Are you crazy?”

The hopeful expression on his face then had told her she needed to phrase this very carefully. “I don’t think I can say ‘love’ just yet. I’ve been hurt, a lot. But, I’m willing to try, if… If you can accept that.” She’d told him.

He nodded, “I can accept that. For you… always for you…”

He’d started to say something more, but she’d grabbed the front of his shirt and kissed him. It was almost like stumbling out of the dark, tired, cold and starving, to find rest, warmth and a feast waiting.

They’d gone back inside and she’d attempted to pass it off as nothing out of the ordinary. However, Aely’s self-satisfied smirk and Zha’ane’s goofy grin soon had her grinning like a fool herself. That was until the evening wound down and Zha’ane mentioned, again, that he was leaving for Darnassus the next day and taking Channi with him.

Zha’ane had escorted her back to her small apartment on the University campus and she’d noted with great appreciation how he hesitated in the doorway. It meant a lot to her that he was willing to respect certain boundaries even in light of the evening’s revelation and their change in status to one another. The deference in regards to her was not something she was used to from the men she normally dealt with and so she wanted to do this right. But she hadn’t been ready to let him go just yet.

“Come in.” She’d said, ushering him into the room and closing the door behind him.

“I can’t stay long. We’ve got passage on an early vessel to Auberdine to make the connection to Darnassus.”

Loreli nodded, setting about putting the bouquet of ebony roses in a container of water, wishing she had a nice vase for them. She walked over and set them on the table by the window before turning around and looking at him. There was a long awkward silence between them, as she shifted her gaze to floor and back a small handful of times. This shouldn’t be this difficult. She chided herself. How old are you, really? Just ask him to stay, you know you want to.

She ran a hand through her hair and Zha’ane raised an eyebrow at her. He knew all to well what that gesture generally meant. Was she changing her mind now?

“Are you alright…?” He asked.

“Zha’ane I… I’d like you to stay. Here. With me.” She added hastily, “Just tonight. I… I can’t give you more than just my company, not just yet. But like you said, you and Channi are leaving tomorrow and I don’t know how long you’ll be gone… so…”

He smiled at her, opening his arms. She exhaled a sigh of relief and stepped into his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. He brought a hand up to stroke her hair before speaking.

“Loreli, I will never take anything more than you offer me. If you want me to hold you all night and sing Kal’dorei lullabies, I’ll do it. If you suddenly change your mind and send me away, I’ll go without a fuss. Everything I have has always been yours for the asking.”

She looked up into his face, speechless and overwhelmed by the immense sincerity in his words and expression. “Stay.” She said. “Just hold me tonight. You can pass on the lullabies.” She gave him a wink, “When you come back from Darnassus we can work towards something more.”

***

It was the first really good night’s rest she’d gotten in a number of weeks. She was content, and rested her head back on his shoulder, snuggling in closer. The shift woke him up and he smiled at her.

“Good morning.” Loreli said, sleep still thickening her voice slightly.

“Any morning a man gets to wake up to a sight so beautiful is a good morning.”

Loreli laughed softly, “You make that up all on your own?”

“Wait, I’m not dreaming?” Zha’ane asked, suddenly serious.

“Tell me honestly, if this were a dream, would we really be wearing so much clothing?” She grinned playfully.

He made a show of considering, “Possibly…”

Loreli gave him an incredulous look then.

“But probably not!” He gave her a grin of his own.

They both lapsed into a silent moment where Zha’ane ran his fingers through her hair. Loreli sighed happily.

“It is a good color for you.” He said finally, “But, I prefer your normal color.”

Loreli felt guilty for lying to him then, but she didn’t want him to worry while he was gone. “You should probably go get ready to meet Channi…” She said.

He nodded, but made no move to get up.

“I’m going to have to get up first, aren’t I?” She chuckled.

“Most likely.” He shrugged slightly, giving her a lopsided grin.

She shook her head still laughing and disentangled herself from him and the blankets. “Do you have time for breakfast?” She asked, running a brush through her hair.

Zha’ane glanced out the window, “Probably not. Slept later than I meant to. Channi’s most likely wondering where I am.”

Loreli nodded, strapping her dagger belt on and holding his out to him.

“You didn’t want me to cook anyway.”

“I’d have insisted I do it.” He winked at her and she replied with a mock-scowl.

***

They met Channi at the harbor. Farewells were said as the ship readied for it’s voyage.

Channi hugged Loreli and turned to walk up the plank to the deck.

Zha’ane’s gaze lingered in Loreli’s face and she smiled.

“You better get going.” She told him.

Zha’ane merely nodded and squeezed her hand before turning.

“Zha’ane, I…”

He turned back to look at her.

“…come back soon. Please.”

Zha’ane nodded. “Soon as possible. Stay out of trouble.”

“Hey!” She grinned, “It’s me.”

She was fairly certain she heard him mumble, “That’s what I’m afraid of.” As he went to join Channi.

Miriam wrapped herself in the thickest wool cloak she had, and headed off to her favorite bakery before the sun had cleared the horizon. It was not out of her routine–Miriam knew that she had to stick to her routine–but it certainly was a treat. A treat she knew she deserved.

With her breakfast and lunch in one hand, her coffee in the other, Miriam walked to The Grove to start her day. Her current task would be easy to accomplish while she worked on her normal duties: Checking balances.

It was long, tedious and boring work. Miriam added, subtracted and checked numbers against the master ledger. The Grove identified its patrons–from operatives to nobles–in a series of random seeming letters and numbers. The list of benefactors for Jaren was easy enough to get. Getting names was a bit more difficult.

Names were kept in the Secure Room. Two trips to the Secure Room would draw unwanted attention. Being asked by a coworker to help with a series of investigations, however, wouldn’t make anyone raise an eyebrow.

During her lunch break–a generous thirty minutes–Miriam sat near her target: Samir Meath. Samir was a few years older than she was with thinning black hair and a bit of a paunch. He also had a crush on her.

“Hullo Miriam.”

“Samir.” She said cordially.

“You’re in a good mood? What’s new?” He said.

Miriam took a bite of her sandwich before answering. “Nothing! I’m just getting most of my work done early. I know that Master Leeming wanted to make sure all the accounts were verified by the end of the day…”

“He did? Why didn’t he mention this to me!”

“He told all of us.” Miriam said softly, “Don’t tell me…”

“I don’t know how I’m going to get this accomplished!” Samir said. “I just don’t have the time for it. I have to run all of my deposits today. How am I going to get all of this done? I have…”

Samir’s face flushed as he started worrying. Miriam put a hand over his to comfort him.

“I can help you verify everything. If we have to stay late, we stay late.”

“You would do that, for me?”

“Samir, it would be my pleasure to help you.” Miriam said with a smile.

***

Hours after the Grove officially closed, Samir walked Miriam out the door. He carried the bouquet of flowers she had received earlier. She held a small ledger in her hand.

“Thank you for everything Miriam. I would be here all night if it wasn’t for you. Could I buy you a drink at the Rose?”

Miriam smiled at him. It took him so long to work up the courage to ask her, how could she say no?

“If we take a walk by the canals first, you can buy me two drinks.”

“Really?” Samir blushed a deep crimson, “But you got flowers…”

“From a friend Samir. Just a friend. Come on, the night’s not getting any earlier.” She took him around the canals. They stopped only to drop the ledger off in the mail slot of her friend’s house.

***

Loreli made a quick scan of the street before ducking out from behind the shadow of the building. She darted across the cobblestones, stopping at the door to a ground-floor apartment. She had done enough research earlier to know that it was currently looking for tenants. Which left no one else to get unwittingly caught in her questionable affairs. It took mere seconds to pop the lock on the door and slip inside. She spotted the ledger on the floor immediately. Scooping it up, she slipped it under her leather jerkin. One check out the window confirmed the street was still empty. She relocked the door as she ducked back out and commenced walking down the street as if she did this every night.

She wanted to get somewhere a bit safer to pour over the contents and confirm as much as possible before passing it off to Bricu.

***

Jaylen moved to put out the cigarette, but thought better of it and took another drag. He had caught up to Miriam outside the Gilded Rose as she parted ways with her companion. He’d then followed her to the Trade District and had been waiting as she did some shopping. So far, nothing about her seemed suspicious, but he wasn’t ready to buy that just yet. He fell into step beside her, as she exited the shop carrying a few wrapped packages.

Exhaling smoke, he gave her his most charming smile, “Evening, Miriam. How are you?”

Miriam stopped walking and turned to face him. She didn’t recognize the Kaldo’eri in front of her, and this gave her a moment of pause. He was tall, even for his race, his midnight hair worn straight and lose to the middle of his back. She took him in with one long gaze, trying to size him up. He looked big and intimidating.

She realized she was starring a moment too late. Her new found confidence fled and Miriam started to stutter out of worry.

“Hel-hello. Do I know you?”

Jaylen waved his hand, casually, “Oh! Where are my manners! Not by name, probably. I come by your firm occassionaly to conduct business.” He swept a low bow, “Please, called me Jaden.” He gestured to her parcels, “May I assist you with those?”

Miriam pulled her dinner closer to her chest.

“Oh. No. No, I have it.”

Her eyes darted left and right. She wasn’t ready for this. Analysis was one thing, looking at her target, no matter how attractive, was terrifying. There was no real escape route. She didn’t have a weapon on her, let alone one she was confident with. She was trapped.

“B-B-Business hours are b-b-between seven and seven. Special ar-arangements can be made through a super-supervisor.” She stammered. “Good night!”

Jaylen inclined his head with another smile, “Of course, madam. I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to… well, I’ll drop buy during normal business hours. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” He stepped back to indicate that she was free to continue on her own.

Miriam nodded curtly. She tried to meet Jaden’s eyes, but she couldn’t bring her self to look into his face. She turned on a heel and marched off to her apartment.

Jaylen narrowed his eyes as he watched her go. If that wasn’t someone who was hiding something, he’d hand his resignation to Shaw. He knew she’d go straight home. This one wasn’t much of a threat in that regard. However, he wanted to know what’d she been up to.

An hour or so later, Jaylen was knocking on Samir’s door.

Samir was not accustomed to late night visitors. So a knock at his door, hours after the sun had set, was a rather exciting development. He was tempted to open the door and invite whomever was knocking in. But he knew from his manager’s lectures that being that “polite” could threaten his security.

He cracked open the small peep door and looked outside.

“Hullo!” he said, “Can I help you?”

Jaylen made a quick short bow, “Sir, please pardon the late night inconvienence.” He dropped his voice, “SI:7 begs your kind assistance on a matter of utmost sensitivity and secrecy.”

SI:7? Samir took the oak plank from behind the door, undid the chain and pulled the door wide open. Luckily, he had yet to change out of his work clothes.

“Please, come in!” He said brightly. “How can I help?”

Jaylen took a step through the door, laughing to himself. This wasn’t even a challenge. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there seems to be a breach at your office. As we don’t want to tip off our suspect to our inquiries, we’re conducting our investigation outside of work place after hours. You are not to share this information under any circumstances. It could greatly hinder our progress and you wouldn’t want to be responsible for that, now would you?” He let a tiny hint of menace creep into his voice, just enough to question if it was actually there or not.

“Oh no. No. No!” Samir took a step back. “Am I under investigation?”

Jaylen rolled his eyes, though he didn’t let Samir see. He put on his most congenial smile, “Oh, not at all! Why?”He gave him a wink, “Should you be?”

“Certainly not!” Samir said. “I make sure to follow all the required rules and regulations!”

Jaylen nodded and folded his arms, resting his chin in one hand, “Of course you do! And we know that. Regardless, and this is purely routine, I assure you, I need to recount your evening for me from just before you left office until you got home. Leave nothing out as even the smallest detail may be important. Not for you, but because something you consider to be a coincidence may actually be someone pulling strings you can’t see and using you! Do you want to be used, Sir?”

Samir shook his head, his eyes wide.

“I see.” He said. “Oh dear. Do I see…”

He motioned for Jaylen to follow him into the apartment, past the small entrance-way. He walked into a sparsely, but tastefully, furnished sitting room. Samir sat in a well-worn chair and pointed its matching one just a few feet away.

“Last night.” He started saying, “I asked my colleague, Miriam, to help me with some paperwork. We’re doing audits, apparently, and I had to catch up. We compared accounts, names and addresses, ensuring that everyone was balanced to the copper. Do you know the process?”

Samir didn’t bother waiting for Jaylen to answer, as he continued, “We were there till well after nine bells. We decided to get a drink at the Gilded Rose. We took a long, scenic route.” He frowned at the next memory.

“I thought it was a bit strange. She stopped at this address, near the Flower Shop in The Canals to see if her friend was home. See, Miriam is infatuated with me. I cannot imagine why she stopped there. But we stopped. She knocked at the door and called into the mail slot. We moved on after a few seconds. At the Rose we were waited on by Kara Thompson. She could not stop blabbering about her son and how she’s with child. Again. ”

Samir sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose. “She was constantly interrupting us. Some find it charming, bantering with barely educated servers. Miriam, bless her heart, did. I was polite, as decorum demands. But she brought us a few drinks. We stayed there till ten, maybe ten thirty? I offered to walk Miriam home, but she declined, saying she had to pick up something and didn’t want to keep the shop keep up too late. She graced me with a good night kiss and talk of more drinks this weekend. I guess that won’t happen now….”

Samir watched Jaylen closely, “What did Miriam do, Agent…I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name.”

“Please, call me Jasen. We’re colleagues now.” He smiled, reassuringly, “We’re not even sure it’s this ‘Miriam’ at this point. We’re just looking for strange activity to give us an indication of where to start. You have been most cooperative and when we do catch the culprit, your assistance will be aknowledged.” He got up sweeping a deeper bow than upon his introduction. “Please, keep me informed if you noticed anything else out of the ordinary.”

“Certainly, certainly. I should see “Miriam,” Samir put the name in sneer quotes, “tomorrow. How should I update you?”

“You should be able to drop a letter by SI:7 without arousing suspicions. I know your firm sends messengers ’round all the time.” He headed for the door and let himself out.

Something odd was deffinately going on. Time to go have another chat with Miriam, but first…

***

It was somewhere around midnight when Jaylen made his way up to the door by the flower shop. He jiggled the handle gently but it didn’t give. Tumbling the lock took no time at all and in short order he was standing inside the empty room. No one was in residence and he doubted anyone could have packed up and moved in the time between Miriam’s stop here and his arrival now. He didn’t like at all where this was going and in who’s direction his thoughts were leading.

A quick stop by SI:7 to confirm that the small apartment by the flower shop was indeed for rent. Then back off to another part of the city.

Despite the fact that it was now extremely early in the morning, there was light burning in Miriam’s window. The soft light of a candle that had burned extremely low. Afraid of the dark, are we? He thought with a predatory grin. And with good reason.

A check of all the other windows confirmed they were barred from the inside. That was fine, he had no problem using the door. He also had yet to find a lock he couldn’t figure out. Jaylen paused just inside the entrance, listening. All was quiet in the house.

Silently he made his way down a narrow hallway to a back room. Pausing by the door, he listened again, picking up steady breathing. The breath of sleep. Chancing a glance around the door frame he spotted Miriam. She was seated in a chair she had pulled in the corner, away from the window and door, fast asleep, kitchen knife in hand. Oh, how cute. He thought to himself, snidely. Were you planning to fight me with that? Darn, I’d have been interested to see how you would have faired.

Slipping through the room, Jaylen paused long enough to blow the candle out. More than capable of finding his way in the dark, he drew up alongside Miriam’s sleeping form. Swift as the hatch on a trap he brought his hand to her mouth and pinned her to the chair with his other arm.

“Sssshhh. I’m not going to hurt you, you’re in trouble.” He whispered into the darkness.

Miriam arrived at The Grove early, carrying her lunch and breakfast in the same bag. She was pleasant to the lesser clerks and assistants, but her mind was on her first mission; look for funds that suggest active traitors to the Crown and the Alliance.

She poured over her own files first. One name stood out: Galaram Cobblespot, a gnome whose preferred form of magic was financial wizardry. He was active with withdrawals, deposits and linked to a series of blacked out funds. The numbers by those redacted fields–n73401, n7230401- screamed SI:7 operations. She knew where to look for those redacted files.

After her brief lunch, she headed to the secure room. The marble floors and built in steel vaults were not the strength of the room. Arcane wards sustained by contracted Magi gave the secure room its strength. It was the safest place in The Grove, and it protected the records of all transactions made by agents since Stormwind was rebuilt.

After scouring thousands of records, she found the ones she needed. Galaram was supposed to be fixing for two active agents: Jaren and Jaylen. Jaren’s designation, in the ledger, suggested he was an alias. He should not be getting his own funds. Definitive proof would be locked away somewhere else. But Miriam was clever. She crossed Jaren with other active agents in The Grove.

After hours of cross referencing and hiding her actions, Miriam had her answer.

This agent, Jaylen, was double dipping.

***

Loreli sat at a table near the bar, keeping an eye on the door for Miriam. The rogue hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in a few days and was just starting to notice. But she was used to long vigils and combat naps and had at least another day or two in her before she really started to lose her edge. She’d swapped the jade dress for a white one and left her hair down. It made her feel slightly vulnerable and she still hadn’t gotten used to the violet hue she’d adopted for this task. She felt edgy but couldn’t identify why and so, left the wine glass untouched on the table.

Miriam entered the Silver Mirror at half past nine. She was dressed in a similar outfit: Dark trousers, white blouse, blue blazer with tails, but she carried herself with more purpose. The serving staff, and some of the regulars, seemed to notice. Miriam politely turned down three offers before sitting down with Loreli.

“Buy me a drink?”

Loreli smile and signaled the bartender who sent one of the girls over to take Miriam’s drink order.

“I did manage to find something. ” Miriam whispered. “I don’t know how much. But this isn’t really the time.” Miriam looked over her shoulder. “There may have been a lot more.”

Loreli instinctively followed Miriam’s gaze, without moving her head.

“I was followed. Briefly. I went to the Gilded Rose first.”

Loreli made a show of pulling Miriam’s face to her own, before placing her mouth by the other woman’s ear. “Did you get a good look at them?” she asked. She watched the door, scanning for anything unusual.

Miriam giggled before whispering to Loreli, “No. I know they were smaller than a human. That’s all. I waited at the Rose and then… Well, came here via the Cathedral district. I am positive I lost them after the Rose.”

***

Jaylen glanced up in irritation from the report he’d been pretending to read. Shaw had been increasingly irritable lately for a number of reasons and Jaylen had found it better to just stay out of his way. Though, it was amusing to watch others under fire. Things seemed to have died down slightly at the moment. Jaylen, and the gnome cowering before him were the only ones currently in the room.

“You’re back rather soon, aren’t you?” Jaylen raised an eyebrow.

“I… I…”

Jaylen eyed the gnome, she appeared to be younger than the operatives he was used to dealing with, with close cropped black hair. They were recruiting younger and younger. Jaylen hated working with new recruits. They always came in acting like they knew it all, cocky and stupid. With something to prove. Or a blathering idiot, like this one. That sort of attitude got them killed. No matter to him, really, weed out the liabilities, keep the ones with half a brain. He figured this gnome wouldn’t last much longer. He didn’t know her name and he probably never would.

“I’ve been stationed over by that accounting office The Grove. There’s this woman, she works there. She was acting strange, didn’t go the way she normally goes, when she leaves work. I followed her. But she spotted me and ducked into the Gilded Rose. I… lost her there.”

Jaylen narrowed his eyes. It may have easily been a coincidence, but he didn’t like to put coincidences and the Rose together. He handed the report to the gnome. Then got up.

“Here, teach yourself to forge a signature. I’ll check it when I get back.”

***

Loreli relaxed and tried to shrug off her irritation. She glanced around, everything seemed clear, no one seemed out of place. “We should be fine to speak. Just keep your voice low… what did you find?”

“An operative, a finger at least, has been requesting funds from the same financier. No mission details, but it is extravagent.”

Loreli quirked an eyebrow, “You don’t say? Who is it? And the financier? How do you know?” She tried to hold back her interest.

“The financier is a gnome. Galaram Cobblespot I spent the better part of a day looking through the records, cross-referencing accounts, transfers, notations of successes or failures. I managed to peak at older files of Galaram’s as well. I just went back and tracked the first instance of the operative’s appearance. He started a year after Shaw was promoted to his position. He’s been active for a while. Jaren.”

Loreli managed to cover her surprise with a cough. Jaylen, SI:7’s finest, was pocketing extra Seven cash? Or at least threatening the donor to augment his paycheck. This was not what she had expected. Did Shaw know?

This could be what she needed to take care of that bastard once and for all. But she needed to be sure. She couldn’t take this to Shaw without proof. There was no garuntee that he’d listen to her even with proof. He might just kill her on sight.

“Are the amounts just extravagant? Or was there something else that tipped you off?”

“The last one wasn’t too much; however, he’s been doing it since Galaram came to The Grove. Over the past five years, it could be a small fortune.”

Her mind was working at lighting speed. This wasn’t really all that surprising, all things about Jaylen taken into consideration. It actually explained quite a bit.

“How was he managing it? He couldn’t be shifting the money in his own name. Someone would have figured it out a long time ago.”

“It was a separate SI:7 code. If you didn’t know what to look for, you wouldn’t find it. And the funds were legitimate.”

Loreli narrowed her eyes, “Legitimate how?” A gnome by the bar was giving them a curious look. Loreli pulled Miriam into an embrace, giving the voyeur a glare that could either have been possessive, ‘mind your own business’ or both.

“They were all cleared. As in no holds, no trackers…” Loreli could hear Miriam exhale sharply, “This is all part of the game, right?”

Loreli chuckled with a slight nod. Nice to know she could still have this effect on people, though.

“Okay. Here’s what I need you to do now; I’m going to check into this further from my end. I want you to get up, be outraged at something I said, grab the glass of wine there on the table and throw it in my face, then storm out. Tomorrow you’re going to go to work as normal, track this back as far as you can. Compile a list of any source they may be siphoning from.” She paused thinking quickly, “Tomorrow, I’ll send you flowers in appology for my transgressions tonight. The return address on the note card will be where I want to you leave the list and any other information you can find.” Loreli sat back, running her fingers through Miriam’s hair, “You did good, do it again, make sure you’re not followed. I know I don’t need to impart to you how important this is.”

Miriam gave a slight, barely perceptible nod before she knocked Loreli’s hand away from her hair.

“How dare you touch me after you say that!” She screamed. She grabbed the wine glass and threw its contents into Loreli’s face. She spun quickly, knocking over her chair in the same manner a truly angry person would stumble. She stormed out the door, only beginning her faux-sob when she reached it.

Loreli wiped the wine from her eyes and did a rather convincing job of looking both abashed and irritated. After a moment she left the table to go clean up, terribly unintruiged by the idea of trying to get wine stains out of a white dress.

***

Once again Jeb found himself standing at the door to the Silver Mirror. Though, this time he was nervous for an entirely different reason. Jaylen had been conveniently missing for days–like no one would admit to knowing where he was, missing–up until the crazy broad at the Mirror had coerced Jeb into spying on him. Earlier today, Jeb had managed to get himself assigned to a trainee position under Jaylen’s self-proclaimed right-hand, Drin. Of course, Jaylen had popped up the moment Jeb had started digging.

He’d been extremely tempted to just turn her in. It was a rather large reward being offered. Though, technically it was hush-hush, offered only to Seven’s elite and Shaw’s most trusted. Jeb was pretty sure Drin had just wanted to gloat when he talked about how he and Jaylen had the whole situation well in hand. And people think I’m an idiot.

Jeb knew Seven didn’t appreciate him. He was a little sick of playing errand boy for jerks like Jaylen. He was capable of bigger better assignments. So, Jeb had decided to take his chances with Loreli. Crazy or not, at least she was a lot easier on the eyes.

***

Loreli still smelled of wine and this was a point of some irritation to her. I really need to think these things through. She told herself. The dress was a loss, at least for the moment. She’d been forced to change, and while purple wasn’t a bad color for her, with the slightly lavender hue of her skin and the violet dye job on her hair, it just sort of all blended together. She had just returned to the front room when a glance at the door gave her a reason to grin. Perhaps things were going to get better after all.

She moved through the crowd and met Jeb at the door, “Nice to see you again.”

He inclined his head, “Evenin’ ma’am.” He glanced back at the door.

Loreli raised an eyebrow and nodded towards the back, “Come on.” She took a chance turning her back to him, she knew it. She wanted him to know she trusted him and hopefully he would trust her too. Though, she did insist he enter the room before her. Jeb watched her over his shoulder as he walked past. This partnership was indeed tenuous.

She closed the door and leaned against a small table in the corner, folding her arms across her chest. “What’s going on? You’re really tense.”

“Well ma’am, Jaylen got a bit nosy as I was leaving.”

Loreli swore under her breath. That was now both of her contacts that had suspected someone from Seven of following them. This wasn’t looking good at all. She’d have to be really careful. She tapped her fingers against her arm, considering.

“Stay here.” She said, as she slipped back out the door. She made her way down the hall and glanced past the entrance into the main room. No sign of midnight hair, let alone anyone as tall as Jaylen. That didn’t necessarily mean anything at all.

Stepping out into the main room, she gave Jaylen’s description to one of the serving girls. Loreli told her he was a very powerful and important client and was to be treated with the utmost courtesy and respect. She told the girl she was to be informed immediately when he arrived. The serving girl nodded, slightly saucer-eyed and Loreli headed back to Jeb.
“We should be clear for now. I’ve got a look-out just in case.” She took up her original spot leaning against the table.

“Begging your pardon, ma’am but a look-out ain’t gonna do much good against Jay if he’s really determined.”

Loreli sighed and inclined her head, “This is true.”

“That disguise aint gonna fool ‘im either, by the way.”

Loreli narrowed her eyes, “It was never meant to stand up to close inspection.” She tapped her foot, “Do you have something for me or are we going to sit here and go over the SI:7 handbook all evening?”

“Jay came back this morning. General thought ’round Seven was that he’d been in Darnassus, but no one’d say for sure. I did hear Drin mention Channi to Jay. Said there’d been some complications in Northrend. Drin seemed to think Channi was in Stormwind.”

Loreli nodded and wrestled with her temper. She didn’t want Drin anywhere near Channi. Jaylen was bad enough, but Drin was just creepy.

“I’m pretty sure Jaylen told him to back off, but I ain’t for certain. I should be able to keep a closer eye on Drin at least, seeing as I’ve been assigned to be trained by ‘im.”

Loreli blinked out of her thoughts. This could either be very good, or very bad. On the one hand, he was right, he would be privy to most of Drin’s activities. Seeing as Drin seemed almost permanently attached to Jaylen he’d be party to most of those as well. Unless Jaylen decided it was time to break up with his best SI:7 buddy. On the other hand, that might make it even more difficult for Jeb to get away and deliver information to her.

“You realize what this means, right?” She asked.

Jeb nodded, “Well aware, ma’am. Can’t rightly say as I like it, but those bastards deserve to have their own games turned ’round on ‘em.”

Loreli sighed, “That it?”

“It is. I know it ain’t much, but to be fair, ya only gave me a day.” He shrugged.

Loreli nodded stepping away from the table, “True. But I made a promise. ”

“Ma’am…” He put up a hand stopping her, “I can tell you don’t normally do this sorta’ thing and well, my momma raised me right. I ain’t never pressured a lady into somethin’ she din’ wanna do and I ain’t about ta start.” He got up, holding his hand out to her, “So, you jus’ uphold your promise ta keep me outta’ harm’s way and we’ll call it even.”

Loreli frowned and started to blush. She raked a hand through her hair to cover it. She hadn’t meant to be so obvious about being frustrated with constantly trading on her body for this sort of thing. Well, don’t I feel like an ass. She was silent a moment longer before opening one of the drawers in the table and producing a deck of cards. “What’s your name?” She asked, as she began to shuffle.

He hesitated a moment, eyeing her. She couldn’t blame him. All information in this game was vital. A mere name could hold way more power than anyone bargained on.

“Folks call me Jeb, ma’am.”

“Well,” she pulled one of the chairs from the table and, gesturing him into it, “you a gambling man, Jeb?”

He raised an eyebrow at her, taking the chair. “I been told I play a fair game of cards, ma’am.” He watched, feeling slightly apprehensive as she continued to shuffle the deck.

Loreli took the chair, “Here’s what we’ll do. You win, I’ll take better care of you than most of the girls here.” She gave him a wink, “I win, you go back to Seven for just a little bit longer but report to me.”

He shrugged, “I figured I’d be doin’ that anyhow. So, how’s ‘bout this? You win, I give you a date and names ta go with it. What you do with ‘em and how you put ‘em together ain’t none of my concern. Anyone asks, I don’t know you and I certainly ain’t got no clue how you got ‘em.”

“Names and dates for what?” Loreli asked.

“For places them jerks meet and whatnot. There’s a whole lot more than just Sevens in this ring, ma’am. And if ya win, I’ll give it all to ya, just so long as you keep your end of the bargain.”

Loreli nodded, holding out a hand, “Agreed.”

They shook on it but Jeb didn’t immediately take his hand back, “Hand me those cards. I been watchin’. You’re way too good at that and I hope you’ll forgive me for sayin’; I really hope you lose.”

***

A few hours later, Jeb returned to the SI:7 building, whistling, and walked right into Drin.

“Oh shoot! Begging your pardon!” Jeb said, trying to duck around him.

“S’alright.” Drin replied inclining hid head at the younger man, “What’s got you in such a good mood?”

Jeb grinned and shrugged, “I just played the best damn game of cards s’all.” He nodded to both Drin and Jaylen who was coming in from one of the other rooms.

Jaylen frowned watching Jeb leave. “Keep an eye on him.” He told Drin.

“Eh, he’s alright.” Drin insisted.

“I’m sure he is. Keep an eye on him anyway.”

The Silver Mirror is the house of ill-repute in a neighborhood known for ill-repute. Women and men, in various stages of undress, serve women and men, in varying stages of dress, a variety of goods and services. Tables can be made private by screens of paper and silk; however, for more intimate encounters, there are passages that lead to rooms for a variety of purposes.

In one corner of the room, a chamber orchestra, shielded by screens, played just loud enough to keep most conversations private. Miriam sat alone at the small bar, close to the hidden orchestra. Her profile was to the barkeep–a human male barely dressed in linens–so she could see almost as much as the barkeep himself. Miriam wore practical clothing–trousers, blouse and a men’s sport coat tailored for her frame–and she appeared to be the patron with the most clothes on.

Loreli sat across the room from Miriam. Tonight the rogue had chosen a table farther from the door than nights previous. She had one of the prettier human girls in her lap, but that was the extent of their interaction. Loreli had been paying the girl–and well–for the last hour or so to keep her company. Slipping the girl another couple of coins, Loreli patted her on the thigh.

“Run along.” The rogue told her. The girl gave her a pout, obviously having hoped for more. Loreli sighed and handed her another coin. It won her a grin as the girl headed off the find other, more willing prey.

Loreli leaned back in her chair, eyeing the room. She knew the layout of the Mirror well by now. She’d spent the better part of her last two evenings here. Evening one had been surveillance; of the Mirrior itself, it’s patrons and employees. Evening two had been surveillance of Miriam. It hadn’t taken Loreli long to spot her. Miriam stood out for a number of reasons. As for evening three…

“Show time.” Loreli whispered to herself, lithely getting up out of the chair. The almost see-through dress slid down her body, falling in jade folds to the floor. She could be patron or employee, it didn’t matter. She spotted a serving girl carrying a tray laden with two goblets of wine and moved to intercept.

“Oh! Oh dear, I’m so sorry!” Loreli exclaimed as she bumpped into the girl and wine tray. The rogue deftly caught both goblets without spilling a drop and set them back on the tray, “My sincerest apologies, I’ll be more careful in the future.” Loreli sketched a deep bow and noticed, out if the corner of her eye, Miriam watching the small disturbance. All according to plan.

Loreli wended her way through the room and took a seat at the bar. She glanced over at Miriam with a wink and a smile, “Good evening.”

“Good evening.” Miriam replied. Her tone was too clipped and her smile too friendly. Miriam took a sip of her wine. Loreli noticed that there was a small puddle of wine near Miriam, and that her blazer was a bit damp. Her clothes smelled of wine. She did not.

“You caught those goblets.” Miriam stated.

Loreli gave her a coy smile, “I did. Pretty neat, huh? I had good training.” She nodded to the bartender as he handed her a glass. “So, what brings you here tonight, honey?”

“Training?” Miriam turned towards Loreli. “I mean, I’m here… I’m…” Miriam leaned towards Loreli, “I’m here to learn more about how the other half lives.”

Loreli’s smile broadened slightly and she leaned forward to meet her, “Well then, I think you’ve come to the right place.” She straightened up, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. She turned her head to the side, giving Miriam a look from the corner of her eyes, “Seen anything interesting so far?”

Miriam shook her head. “Most of the ‘interesting’ things thus far have been… licentious. Except… Well, between us, I think that table,” Miriam nodded to a table on the far side of the bar, “I think there’s a weapons deal going on there.”

Loreli nodded, giving Miriam an impressed look. It was feigned, she’d been watching these two herself and the one was beyond obvious. “Good eye.” She took a sip of her drink, “The man on the left has been supplying weapons to the Alliance army for years. Recently they’ve had to offer him less coin for his services due to most of the tax funds going to the war in Northrend. Hard times calling for desperate measures, he’s had to go outside his usual clientele.”

Miriam’s jaw started to drop, but she managed to bring her goblet up in time to hide some of the surprise. “How do you know this?”

Loreli shrugged, taking another drink from her glass, “It’s what I do. So many of us today are so caught up in ourselves and what we want. Those two over there will never notice me, except maybe as another pretty face. Even then, they’d just pass me off as another whore. It’s amazing what you can hear, when people look right past you.”

“Do you work here or are you working?” Miriam asked. She swiveled directly toward Loreli.

Loreli raised an eyebrow at her, “What do you think?” She turned around, to lean back against the bar, scanning the small crowd. The two men at the far table were still deep in discussion. The seller looked extremely unhappy, the buyer appeared to be in a hurry. She wondered if the blacksmith was upset because he was being short-changed, or bothered by having to deal with black-market traders. She couldn’t see his face and so couldn’t be certain.

“I don’t know.” Miriam said. She set the goblet down. “I want to know. I want to do these things. But you’re clever. You knew more at a glance than I did in an hour of studying.”

“It merely takes time. No one comes by these things naturally. It may be easier for some than others, but all need to be trained to see what’s hidden in even the most simple turn of the head.” She inclined her head to a lone man at a table by the door. “That man over there, he’s madly in love with the woman over there.” She indicated a draenei employee sharing her attention between a draenei male and a human woman. “He’s afraid to tell her, though. You can see it in his face. Eyebrows knit in anxiety, mouth twisted slightly in a pain he’s trying to hide, if you get closer, his hands shake.”

Loreli took another sip from her drink, “It’d never work.” she glanced at Miriam, “In case you’re wondering. She enjoys her work too much and he’s the jealous type.”

“I was wondering. The draenei still… well, they disturb me. Its… never mind. This is what its like in the field, isn’t it? Always working?”

Loreli nodded, “But help is help, no matter what corner the aid comes from.” She adjusted the skirt of her dress, “Even when you’re not ‘on duty’ you’re on duty. You can never stop watching, listening, analyzing. You miss things, people who miss things… don’t last long.”

“And how long have you lasted miss?” Miriam asked. She gave the room a quick sweep before meeting Loreli’s eyes again.

“I’ve been in the business a number of years. 759 to be exact, though, not nearly as long with my current employer.” A young human male wandered over leaning towards Loreli and whispering in her ear. Loreli gave him a low, husky laugh, brushing a hand across his cheek. “Come see me later.” She whispered, just loud enough for Miriam to hear.

Miriam sipped at her wine as the young man loitered over Loreli. “Is that part of the job too?”

Loreli’s profile gave Miriam an amused grin, she nodded to the young man and he moved back into the crowd. “To make others believe, you play the part so well, you almost believe it yourself.” She was quoting her step-father, but Miriam didn’t need to know that. “Sometimes the part involves tasks that seem unsavory or beneath us. But it’s not a choice, it’s a necessity.”

“I made choices like that for my family. I could make choices like that for my country. I need to.”

Loreli nodded, “I’m glad you feel that way.” the rogue hesitated, feeling conflicted. Miriam wasn’t a bad person. She was just misguided. If Loreli used her in this fashion it would most likely end in Seven eliminating the compromised asset. Could she put a (mostly) innocent in that position? She had, many times before. For Lyas, for Shaw. There was so much blood on her hands. She would just have to ensure the trail didn’t lead back to Miriam.

“I need your help with something.”

“I… ” Miriam paused. “I would love to. But I need to know who you are and who you work for.”

Loreli mentally swore, Miriam was better at this than she let on. She wracked her brain, she didn’t want to drop Shaw’s name, no one ever did that that was smart. She needed someone high up that Miriam couldn’t easily access, but would also probably be known to her. Jaylen would fit that description, but which name would he use. She took a gamble and hoped her usual luck–made and otherwise–held. She leaned towards Miriam, “I’m Jaren’s current errand girl. We’re…” she shifted her eyes, looking to the side, “…we’re sniffing out traitors, but I’ve hit a wall and he’s unreachable on another assignment at the moment. But you, I think you can help me.”

Miriam’s eyes lit up. She took another sip of her wine — Loreli knew her goblet was empty — before speaking. “Then,” Miriam whispered, “I am at your service.”

“Good good.” She got up out of her chair, “Come with me, I don’t want to chance speaking too candidly out here.” She headed for one of the back passages.

Miriam started to ask a question, but stopped as Loreli walked away. She counted to fifteen, paid her tip and walked out towards the other woman.

Loreli stepped into the room and waited for Miriam to follow before closing the door. She gestured Miriam to a chair and went to sit on the edge of the small bed.

Miriam entered past Loreli and sat down in the chair. “Are you a finger of Seven?”

Loreli nodded. She adjusted one of her hair pins before continuing, “We’ve been working on routing a turn-coat. We know someone is redirecting funds but so far I haven’t been able to track it back to the source. That’s where you come in, I need a list of all the benefactors coming out of Stormwind. I could go through the top, but seeing as this is from the inside, we want as few people to know as possible.”

Miriam nodded. “From which institutions? All of them… Is this why you approached me?” Miriam’s excitement bubbled through her questions. “Did you come here targeting me?!”

“Anything you can get me that comes through your hands would be appreciated. It’s a starting point and I can back-track from there. I guess you could say I targeted you. I knew there would be someone here but I didn’t know for sure who it was.” She watched Miriam out of the corner of her eye, continuing to gauge her reaction.

Miriam sighed and her shoulders slumped. “Oh. Well. There are some records I see daily. Financial transactions. Inventory. I could find more accounts though…”

“Brilliant! Get me the names of anyone you know who is or you suspect of providing financial support. I can take it from there.” Loreli said.

“So far, everything I’ve seen is above board at The Grove. I do see most of it. What should I be looking for?”

“I’d stay away from anything too large in amount. Anything substantial but not too substantial that gets parceled out. Anything that makes extra transfer jumps after it leave your hands… anything that strikes you as a little out of the ordinary. Find what you can and meet me here tomorrow?”

Miriam nodded. “I stay late some nights anyway. I can go over the books closely and have information back to you then.”

“Perfect. Tomorrow then. Now, take off your jacket there and muss your hair a bit. It’ll look a tad off if we walk outta’ here in perfect condition.” She pulled the pins from her hair and gathered the whole thing, adeptly piling it on top of her had and pinning it back in place. It did exactly what it was meant to do. Made it appear as if she had put it up in haste after a tryst. She got up and twisted her dress just a hair, then put a hand on the door handle waiting for Miriam.

Miriam took off her jacket and started to mess her hair. She undid the top three buttons of her blouse and then redid them out of order. “Sloppy enough?” She asked.

Loreli chuckled and inclined her head, not having to feign being impressed this time. She found herself liking Miriam just a little bit. The other woman was quick and listened well. “Perfect.” She opened the door, “After you.”

Miriam pinched her cheeks and rubbed at her eyes. By the time she reached the door, her face was flush and she had a rather convincing out-of-breath sound going. “Tomorrow then?”

Loreli nodded, “Tomorrow around the same time.” She opened the door and ushered Miriam into the the hallway and back into the main room.

They got a few intrigued and amused looks from the less than discreet patrons. Loreli gave her smile, touching Miriam’s hair briefly before turning. The young man from earlier caught Loreli’s arm and she gave him a nod before they disappeared back into the passage again.

Make yourself believe… Loreli quoted to herself.

***

Jebediaeh stood outside The Silver Mirror staring at the door. He glanced over his shoulder but the street behind him was empty. He was nervous, a little anxious about this; but well, it’d been a while and he’d heard some pretty interesting stories about the ladies working at the Mirror. With a gulp and a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

***

Loreli came out of one of the Mirror’s back passages a while later. Miriaim was gone and that was alright by her. She was planning her exit when she spotted a young man just coming in the door. He practically screamed SI:7. It was a tough transition from new recruit to operative. Part of being Seven was not announcing you were, with how you carried yourself. She could tell he had the potential to change that though. Changing course, Loreli intercepted him on his way towards the bar.

Jeb’s eyes wandered the full length of the the rather tall night elf standing before him. The dress she was wearing didn’t hide much and that was quite alright by him. He did manage to scan the room for anyone he knew before returning his attention to her.

Loreli gave him a smile and a quick wink from under the small brimmed decorative hat she’d pulled down low over one side of her face. It was an odd fashion trend the nobles had started adopting that one of the other girls had insisted she try. She said it made her look ‘mysterious’ and ‘exotic’. Loreli had laughed and let her have at it.

Jeb seemed to find his voice, “Hey, little lady. You Ilarra Stormrunner?”

Luckily for me, Ilarra is out today. Loreli took a step closer to him, giving only a moment for her body heat and the scent of her perfume to hit him. “I might be. What can I do for you?”

Jeb found himself slightly caught off guard by the questions. Why else would he be here? What else did they do here? He shook the thought from his head. He shouldn’t be gone too long. “I’m… uh… Well shucks, ma’am… I ain’t ever done nothin’ like this before…”

Loreli couldn’t help but find his awkward demeanor slightly endearing. Stay focused! Unacceptable! She told herself. She forced a slight chuckle, “It’s alright.” She said, watching as he began to turn crimson. “We inquire of everyone. Some patrons have very particular tastes.”

“So ya are her, aincha?” He asked, craning his neck to try and peer through the shadows the hat cast across her features.

Loreli nodded, flashing him another smile, “And anyone else you want me to be.”

Jeb’s grin threatened to split his entire face in twain, “Aw, hot damn! Is it true then? You can do things… like…” He brought his hands up wiggling his fingers at her. “Magic things?”

Loreli rolled her eyes, under the hat. If you only knew, farm boy. Yet, she managed to keep her smile in place and inviting. “Just one of my many talents.”

“Hoo boy! The boys ain’t never gonna believe this when I tell em…” he stopped abruptly, the blush reaching all the way to the tops of his ears. “I mean… beg your pardon, ma’am.”

Loreli almost felt sorry for the poor kid but business was business. “Oh, don’t you worry your adorable little head about it. Say whatever you like, I’m here to please.”

His coloring was beginning to resemble that of a very ripe apple or cherry. “So… uh… I mean…” He looked away from her, glanced back out of the corner of his eye, “How do we go about… I mean… Is there… like… a place? Or a payment kinda thingy I should be worryin’ about?”

Loreli waved a hand nonchalantly, “Oh! For you, because you’re so cute, first time’s at no charge.”

She’d thought his grin couldn’t get bigger but it did. He snapped his fingers in a celebratory gesture with a slight turn of his head, “Hot dog! Thank ya, ma’am!” He sobered slightly, “So, uh… right here?”

Loreli bit back a sigh. This was proving to be worse than the episode with the Lord’s son who’d gotten a bit overzealous and broken his nose against her shoulder. All she’d been after was the name of their ore supplier out of the Barrens and perhaps the key to their rather well stocked lock box. Instead, she’d ended up providing her ’services’ to the Lord and leaving empty handed. Neither had gone over well with Lyas.

“No no. We’ve got a couple of rooms in the back. We’ll choose one that suits your fancy.” Loreli said.

“My fancy ma’am? Hell, I don’t need nothin’ fancy.” He insisted.

Loreli laughed again, “Still, I’m sure you’d prefer not to be in view of the rest of the patrons.”

“Ma’am, if you were ta ask the boys down at headquarters, they’d prolly tell ya I ain’t got no shame.”

Loreli tilted her head with a slight shrug, “Oh, trust me. I can do things that’ll make you blush like a school girl.” She gave him a wicked grin.

Jeb slapped his knee enthusiastically, “Then let’s get started, ma’am! I gotta get back to work here before too long. Can’t have the boss man askin’ where I was all danged night.”

Loreli nodded, stepping forward and taking both his hands in hers. She gently pulled him along towards one of the back hallways.

He looked around with slightly wide eyes, “Hot dog, ma’am! You sure this ain’t gonna get me in trouble with my boss?”

Loreli shook her head, drawing him after her into one of the lavish rooms and closing the door. “Not at all.” She turned around to face him and he graced her with a conspiratorial grin. That was when Loreli grabbed the collar of his shirt and threw him onto the bed, placing a dagger to his throat. “Now, here’s how this is going to go…”

Jeb blinked up at her, “Whoa! This ain’t what I had in mind, ma’am!” He insisted, trying to shove her off him.

“I’d imagine not. But, honey, you’re on the inside and I need someone on the inside. So, we’re going to chat here for a little bit, I’m going to send you back to your boss and we’re going to meet up again tomorrow and you’re going to tell me what you can.” She said, not letting up on the dagger in the slightest. “And if you don’t show up, know I will find you. Also know that I can kill you in about thirty different ways and that’s just with my bare hands.”

Jeb’s eyes widened a little further and the resulting gulp was both audible and visible. “Wait one gosh-darned minute! Whatddya want from me? I’m a nobody! I ain’t even been out in the field yet.”

Loreli scowled at him, “Because right now, all I need is information. Anything that maybe be useful. They’ll never suspect you.” You seem to stupid to be a turncoat.

“Hang on, little lady…” He pulled an arm free and swiped it at her head, knocking her hat off. He stared at her, mouth agape, “Sweet jumpin’ jehosophat! You’re…”

Loreli blinked, surprised by the move and that she didn’t kill him for it.

“You’re that one that Jaylen’s been after! You ain’t Stormrunner!”

Loreli swore vehemently and pushed the dagger a little further into his throat, “That was a very bad idea.” She snarled.

“Now hang on a second? What kind of information do ya want?”

“Do you know where Jaylen is right now?”

Jeb started to shake his head, then thought better of it, “No. He kinda comes and goes when he wants. Or when the boss says so. And well…” He paused, “Truth be told, ma’am, he’s kinda a dick.”

Loreli couldn’t help but chuckle at that, “Yeah, tell me about it. Does ‘Channi’ mean anything to you?”

“Only heard it. Dunno who or what a Channi is.”

Loreli narrowed her eyes, “Can you remember anything specifically said in that regard?”

“Heard him tellin’ the boss about a Channi being up in Northrend. Can’t get more specific than that, ma’am.”

Loreli nodded, relaxing the pressure on the blade at his throat slightly, “Good. I’m going to let you up now. Go back, try and find out where Jaylen is. Meet me here tomorrow. Got it?”

Jeb eyed her incredulously, “Now you hang on there, missy. Look, I’ll help. I ain’t got no love for those bastards. I can be useful, ya see? But they don’t. And I’m riskin’ life and limb ta help ya out.” He waited a moment, making sure she was paying attention. “So, I want some kind of protection when this is all over. ‘Cause frankly ma’am, the idea of a six foot hole in the middle of the Tanaris desert don’t sound so appealin’ ta me.”

Loreli nodded slightly. Fair was fair. “That can be arranged.”

Jeb nodded, though slowly and mindful of the blade. “Good. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Right?” He gave her another mischievous grin.

“As long as you keep your end of the bargain.” Loreli said, unamused this time.

“Oh, don’t worry about me, ma’am. I can get things for ya. But if they find out I’m the one that took ‘em… Well… You know how they operate.”

Loreli nodded appreciatively, “Good, I’d prefer you knew the risks.”

“Yeah, ’spose I do. But, before I go… Ya think… maybe… um… ” Despite his precarious position he blushed a deep crimson.

Loreli had to make no guesses as to what he was getting at. She leaned down, here face only inches from his, “If you show back up here tomorrow with something useful, yes.”

“Well slather me in pig sweat! You bet your ass I’ll be here tomorrow, ma’am.”

Loreli laughed softly, shaking her head. She got up, keeping close watch on him for any sudden moves. He sat up, watching her just as warily as she watched him.

“So… I can go, right? I ain’t gonna catch a dagger between the shoulder blades?”

Loreli nodded, “Not from me, at least.”

He’d made it to the door by that point, fumbling for the handle, refusing to turn his back to her.

“Alright. Thanks, ma’am. I’ll be here. Promise.”