Arechron made a curt gesture with his right hand, then shrugged. “You are a cynical and wrathful night elf, but I think that you are also a righteous one. That is why I will give you whatever aid I can. I will provide you with supplies and weapons. I will allow you to recruit whoever wishes to follow you among our youths, provided only that you leave the town guards out of your efforts at persuasion. We need them here to protect us from our enemies.”
Maiev considered his words. It was obvious that Arechron did not wish to be drawn into open conflict with Illidan. But it was equally obvious that he was no friend to the Betrayer, either. Under the circumstances, that would have to do.
She allowed some real warmth to show in her smile. “I appreciate the risk that you are taking. And I am grateful for any help that you can give me.”
“Let us not misunderstand each other. War is coming. The day approaches when Illidan will turn his attention to Telaar. But that day has not come yet, and I would delay it for as long as possible. What you do, you do on your own.”
He reached down and poured some clear water into goblets. He offered one to her and took one himself. As if he guessed what she would think, he put his to his lips before she could drink hers. Maiev sniffed it and took a small taste on the tip of her tongue. She detected no drugs in it, so she took a sip. Arechron smiled.
“Tell me, since you know Illidan so well, what do you think he is doing in Outland?”
“Fleeing the justice that pursues him from Azeroth.”
“That goes without saying. I meant, specifically, what do you think he plans? Why does he build these mighty armies? Do you think he means to invade your homeworld, as the orcs did not so long ago?”
“I think that is the most likely explanation. Illidan has ever sought glory and conquest. He lusts for such things almost as much as he lusts for forbidden knowledge.”
“It is said that he is a formidable sorcerer.”
“One of the greatest my people ever produced.” It galled Maiev to have to utter such words. She despised the sort of magical power Illidan dealt in.
“That is alarming. You can see the effect magic has had on our world. It shattered Draenor, cost the lives of millions.” Arechron was afraid of the power Illidan’s magic represented. It was a sensible attitude, albeit a cowardly one.
“All the more reason Illidan must be opposed.”
“He has made pacts with the Burning Legion before?”
“Whenever it has suited him.”
“And yet now he appears to make war on the Legion.”
“It appears that way, yes, but who can tell what is really happening here? It may be merely that there is strife within the Burning Legion. Perhaps the Betrayer’s attempt to supplant Magtheridon has made him more enemies than he expected. Perhaps his superiors have decided to punish him. In any case, this dissent represents an opportunity for all who would see him overthrown.”
“Possibly, yes.”
“You do not agree?”
“I mean no insult, but I suspect you would find an opportunity to strike against your enemy under any circumstances.” He paused for a moment. “There are those who might aid you in your quest. They, too, have great magical power.”
Maiev looked at him closely. “I do not seek an alliance with those who use blasphemous sorcery.”
“The naaru serve the Light. They derive their power from it.”
“The naaru?”
“They came to Shattrath City recently. It seems to me that you might make common cause with them. They are no friends to your Illidan.”
“He is not my Illidan.”
“I meant no offense. My tongue is clumsy sometimes.”
“Tell me more of these naaru.”
“They are beings of Light, enormously powerful. They arrived in Shattrath mere months ago, attracted by the rites of worship that the Aldor priesthood performed within a ruined temple there. The naaru protect the city from demons.”
“They hold the Legion at bay, you say?”
“Indeed. They have made Shattrath a sanctuary for those who oppose the demons. They are recruiting those who would fight against the servants of Kil’jaeden. You might do well there. You could become a general in their armies without any doubt.”
It certainly sounded promising. Maiev searched for a hidden purpose behind his words. Was he merely trying to get rid of her by directing her toward this Shattrath? Arechron’s face held its usual expression of benevolence. He was hard to read.
“I do not seek a position of power,” Maiev said. “I seek only to see that the Betrayer gets his well-deserved punishment.”
“Of course, of course. I have once again misread the situation. Nonetheless I would advise you to seek out the naaru. Of all the forces opposing the Burning Legion in Outland, they are immeasurably the strongest.”
Perhaps the Broken was right. She had been wasting her time, wandering these wastelands and recruiting tiny handfuls of fighters. There was nothing to be lost from contacting these new rulers of Shattrath, and perhaps much to be gained.
“Tell me of Shattrath.”
“It was once a beautiful place, and may well become so again.”
That was not the sort of knowledge she had been seeking, but she restrained her impatience. “How may I find it, and whom should I speak to there?”
Arechron smiled as if he had achieved his goal. “It is a long way northeast of here. You must seek the Terrace of Light and speak with A’dal. If you seek a place to stay, I can recommend an inn. A cousin of mine owns it. He will guide you right if you mention my name.”
They spoke of matters concerning the city long into the night.
Maiev watched the rising sun. This was a good hour to depart. It was going to be another clear, warm day. Her forces had enjoyed their weeks of rest within Telaar. She had recruited another five score young fighters from among the Broken and the draenei. They were at the edge of her force, mounted on their elekk. The massive quadrupeds dwarfed the riding cats of her own people and exhibited only the slightest nervousness at the presence of the great carnivores.
A crowd as large as the one that greeted them on arrival had gathered to see them off. Many of its members seemed to be there to say goodbye to her new recruits. A few appeared to be attempting to discourage them from leaving. Maiev saw no point in trying to stop that. She did not want anyone with her who could be impelled to desert by the tears of family. Her troops needed to be made of sterner stuff.
Arechron himself appeared, mounted on the howdah of a huge bejeweled elekk.
He bowed to her and said, “Remember, seek out the Aldor. They are the strongest faction in Shattrath besides the naaru, and they are the ones most likely to aid you.”
“I will do that,” Maiev said.
Arechron nodded and said, “And if I were you, I would have nothing further to do with the Ashtongue and their leader. They are of little account.”
Maiev doubted that. She had met Akama on many occasions since their initial contact, and she knew his power. She still did not trust the Broken, but he had not lied to her yet, as far as she could tell.
Anyndra rode up beside her. Her gaze made it clear she was awaiting the order to depart. Maiev nodded. Anyndra sounded her horn. The nightsabers roared. The elekk trumpeted. The long line of soldiers departed Telaar, leaving the cheering, waving, crying throng behind them.
Maiev wondered what she would really find in Shattrath.
8
Vandel stood in the great courtyard in the ruins of Karabor along with all the others. Hundreds of supplicants lined the terraces. They had been waiting for weeks for Illidan to return. No one knew where he was. Not even his closest followers understood the Betrayer’s comings and goings.
Vandel felt a growing sense of impatience. There had been long days of training under the guidance of tattooed fighters of the same ilk as Elarisiel and Needle.