The Homecoming

A seemingly lone figure steps out into an almost empty Stonard. He pauses and takes in the scenery. The swamps of Stonard had always been a little damp for Shadiel El Shadorath, but today it looked and felt beautiful. For the Grin it had only been several months since Shadiel had left with Ashenrock and started on his pact with the Keepers of Time. For Shadiel it had been twenty long years. By looking at the elf you wouldn't have noticed, Blood Elves are a long lived race that aren't prone to show age as much as the other races of Azeroth. His eyes however showed a difference, there was less merriment in them and much more focus.

"The Grin appear to be on the move in one of their war camps, they are not here Bloodmage," A low voice by Shadiel's side announces.

Shadiel nods at the shadow that is Scyrax and begins chanting. Moments later a portal opens.

"We have returned home Scyrax, I hope it is not too late." Blood Mage and shadow are then gone from sight.

The crater left behind at Dalaran was a sight to behold. A testement to the powers of The Kirin Tor. Shadiel slips through the bottom of the crater investigating what is left behind.

“Most serious of business if they moved the whole damn city…”

A message had come to Shadiel while he was in the employment of the Keepers of Time. A message that though not signed was clearly from his former master Sylvos. Things were more dire than expected and more extreme moves would have to be made. There was the issue of Arthas and his army of Death Knights but something just as great was happening that had caught the interest of those of the Kirin Tor.

Shadiel could see no alternative, the Grin would need to venture into Northrend. The Blood Mage was sure Chief Yagyu would resist. Let Thrall fight his own wars and leave us to our own he surely would say. Their business is not our own. The Grin would be better off in their own lands and might even pick off their enemies when they were sending their own troops to Northrend.

In any other extreme Shadiel would agree. However many of the Grin had already fallen prey to the influence of Northrend. It was only a matter of time before even more would as well. If nothing was done, the Grin would be too far behind to make a difference at all. Not a pleasant place to be if the advantages that Northrend could bring them all were lost. It might be an even worse outcome if those advantages were gained by the Grin’s enemies. No the Grin must go to Northrend and their preparation must begin soon.

“You could always lie to the Orc, you are good at that, and your ability to manipulate those around you is second to none Lord Shadiel,” The shadow that was Scyrax appeared beside Shadiel.

“I won’t betray his confidence. I will reason with him as I always have,” Shadiel replied calmly.

A low laughter eminated from Scyrax.

“You mean you will tell him just enough but not all?”

“Your business is to attend me, not be my conscience or my judge,” Shadiel snapped.

Scyrax makes a disciplined bow and disapears. Shadiel smiles inwardly at himself knowing that the gesture had a mocking tone to it. Scyrax was never that formal. Shaking his head he starts chanting for a portal to take them back to camp. Once there he heads for Chief Yagyu's tent.

It finally felt like home again, even if the locale was a hastily set up warcamp and not Stonard. The news of Shadiel’s return was welcome to the Warchief as was the return of Grimnir and Yalim. Perhaps this time the Grin would finally be able to stop the Alliance in their tracks.

It had been hard going these last few months as Yagyu had been settling into the unexpected role of Chieftain. He had made mistakes and the clan had suffered for them but finally he felt as if things were coming together. A rustling of the canvas of his tent told him that someone was near. The orc looked up to see the warlock Bok’theg standing in the doorway.

“Whaddyer want?” he asked, returning his eyes to parchments spread across the small folding table in front of him.

The warlock bowed low before speaking. “Lok’tar Warchief. I have news which may interest you.” He looked up to see if Yagyu had returned his gaze…he had not.

The warlock continued. “Apparently there was trouble in Stonard. The former Sythegar Bellmont returned to look for you. Finding us away, he was dispatched by Sinderion. I fear this has something to do with Northrend and the plans of the Lich King.”

Yagyu nodded mutely. As much as he hated to admit it, Shadiel was right. This threat had to be faced. It was no longer a matter of Grin protecting Horde in Azeroth. The Lich King had claimed some of their own. The bloody departure of Vord stuck in his craw and the warrior vowed to bring the hunter back alive and rehabilitated.

“I know Bok’theg. I’ve spoken to Sythegar Shadiel about it already. When this battle is finished, the Grin will prepare to head north.”

Bok’theg’s eyes narrowed at the mention of Shadiel and he used the opportunity to broach his next topic.
“Speaking of the recalcitrant Sythegar…” He saw a hard stare from Yagyu and knew he was close to overstepping his bounds.

“My apologies Chief. But the elf HAS been away for some time.” He bowed again before continuing.

“As I was saying…Sythegar Shadiel seems to know quite a bit about the threat from Northrend. I wonder sir,…has he spoken to you of what he knows?” A blank stare from the Warchief answered his question. The warlock waved a hand dismissively.

“Never mind Chieftain, I’m sure it’s nothing. If I uncover any more information I’ll be sure to let you know immediately.”

Yagyu nodded to the warlock. “See that ya do. Dismissed.”

Yagyu watched as Bok’theg’s form retreated into the mist. That damn orc was more trouble than he was worth sometimes. He gave good advice but it was always a question why when he opened his mouth. The last thing the Warchief needed was more drama in intra-clan squabbling. The Grin needed to focus and prepare for the coming battle. The Alliance would bring out a heavy host and the Grin had to be ready for them.

Shadiel,
I hope that your plans on coming to Northrend are at a point of fruition for I fear we have little time left. Malygos grows stronger with the siphoning of Azeroth’s magic and at this point even the combined power of the Kirin Tor is not enough to thwart his army of blue dragons. You must bring assistance or all will be lost. Unless you wish to perish alongside every other magic user that you hold dear make haste to Northrend.

Shadiel read over the note several times. The urgency in Sylvos’ message was clear. There was no more time. At one point Shadiel feared for the safety of those he cared for from Arthas’ war against the lands but this new threat troubled him much more. Arthas was but a spark to Malygos’ bonfire. If magic were devoured and cast out of Azeroth the entirety of Blood Elves would be destroyed. Other races would surely suffer as well, but extinction of a whole race was a little more dire. Sylvannas was aware of the goings on and in her own dubious ways had promised Shadiel that Undercity would aid the Grin should the Grin choose to go to Northrend.

At least for the present time things were going better. With the latest victory over the alliance in defending the Barrens Thrall had no choice but to send a messenger out agreeing to meet the Grin in Nagrand. The Dreadhorde was finally being acknowledged as one of the leading forces of the Horde. They could do what the new horde could not, wage a fight that the new horde had forgotten. Yes, things were going as planned but Shadiel was worried about the timing and how close things were. There was no room for error.

It wasn’t that he had lied to Chief Yagyu but more so that he hadn’t divulged everything. By playing up the threat and the need to unify the Grin against the Death Knights Shadiel could get the Grin to Northrend, take out Arthas, and assist the Kirin Tor with Malygos. It was two or three birds with one stone. The Grin would grow more powerful from the resources only Northrend could bring and Shadiel could finally unlock many of the sercrets of the Death knights he had longed for since he first investigated Vord’s strange transformation.

There was only one piece left on the board that needed to be placed. Shadiel placed the envelop with his letter once again in his drawer and forms the highest wards he can to protect it from unwelcome eyes, he then makes sure his leaving is noticed by Bok’Theg.

Glowing green eyes watched with keen interest as the blood elf strode purposefully out of his quarters and into the fetid night air of the Swamp of Sorrows. Quz’fip danced happily at Shadiel’s departure and hopped across the floor entering the mage’s room for the second time. The imp could sense the power emanating from the drawer and his demonic mind knew that breaking these wards would be more difficult than last time. It was a challenge to the hell spawned creature as his demonic magic worked to open the protective wards Shadiel had placed on the drawer. An hour passed before the imp was able to reach his goal but the satisfying click of the finally unprotected lock sent the creature into a joyful back-flip. Happily he reached into the drawer and removed the envelope and scampered out into the inn to seek out his master.

Bok’theg sat in his familiar chair in the dark corner of the inn pondering this new development. So Shadiel had another reason for wanting to go to Northrend just as he had suspected. But why had he chosen not to tell Yagyu of this? Wouldn’t it have only made his argument to the Warchief stronger than simply going off to fetch the idiot Vord and battle a bunch of recently dead dolts in plate? He stroked his beard thoughtfully…no…the mage was far too clever…there had to be something the warlock was missing. It was imperative that he find out what it was.
As he considered this, the import of the words in the letter began to take on a greater importance to the warlock. The threat from Malygos was greater than he had anticipated. It was fortuitous that he had intercepted this letter as it affected him too. He wondered if the Shadow Council was aware of this threat? If not, he would make certain that they were. It was a sure way to remain in their good graces. They were happy with his efforts thus far and Bok’theg wished to continue reaping the benefits of both the Grin and the Council.

Of course this would all be immaterial if the Blue Dragonflight had its way. This was a threat that had to be dealt with quickly.

“Perhaps…”, Bok’theg thought to himself “…it is time I buried that hatchet with that elf. Then later I can concentrate on burying the hatchet in his needle-headed scalp.”

His body shook with laughter as he reflected on the amusing quality of his own private joke.

Scyrax slowly, silently, and stealthily leaves the inn and heads back to where Shadiel is resting under a tree in the swamps. Shadiel's eyes narrow at Scyrax.

"They took the bait already?"

"Indeed, and the Orc still plots against you yet seeks to wait until you are no longer necessary." Scyrax's low voice became almost a growl.

"It is necessary, besides if there were no danger to me you would be out of a job would you not?" Shadiel chuckles.

Scyrax says nothing just shakes his head. Shadiel knew his plans were now dead on. Everything that he needed had been arranged. The Mage didn't feel any happiness or excitement. The real fight began in Northrend and the Grin were going up against powers that he hardly could comprehend.

After waiting a couple hours Shadiel heads back into the Inn. Chooses his favorite corner and waits. Bok'theg would surely approach him now that his own skin was in peril.