Some of the other guests watched as they departed, but the night elves pretended not to notice. Moving with measured steps, they finally reached the two Sentinels.
And there they discovered that behind the pair stood at least half a dozen more, along with a very dour Maiev.
Tyrande wasted no time: “Speak.”
But it was Maiev, not the lead Sentinel, who spoke. Stepping forward, she answered, “High Priestess . . . there is a body.”
The archdruid looked grim. “Show us.”
Tyrande gave orders to one of her senior priestesses to take care of the guests. That problem dealt with, she and Malfurion followed the others from the vicinity of the banquet.
Maiev and the Sentinels headed directly for the temple.
“My decision,” the Watcher informed them. “I thought it best.”
“You did right,” the high priestess acknowledged.
In one of the lesser-used inner chambers, they at last came across two Sentinels guarding a night elf–size form covered in cloth.
“Who?” Tyrande finally asked, unwilling to wait even long enough for the makeshift shroud to be drawn away.
Maiev removed her helmet and tucked it under her arm. Jarod’s sister stared directly at Malfurion. “A Highborne. The one, I am told, you were informed went missing.”
One of the Sentinels uncovered the face. As Maiev had said, it was a Highborne. Malfurion knew immediately which one too.
“Thera’brin . . . ,” the archdruid rasped. “Where was he discovered?”
“Not all that far from where I and the other Watchers practice,” Maiev responded with a scowl.
Tyrande looked grave. “He did not die by accident, did he?”
Maiev reached down and pulled the cloth further. The savage gaps just under the Highborne’s chin greeted the shocked duo. “Only if he decided to slit his own throat twice—the second for pleasure, I assume”—she straightened—“and made sure that a missive we found with him remained pinned to his body when he fell.”
She spoke in a clinical tone, as if describing the general shape and appearance of a stone rather than the murder of one of their own. It did not at all surprise either Malfurion or Tyrande to hear her speak so: Maiev was ever precise, ever to the point, when performing her duties.
“What did this note say?” the archdruid demanded, a new chill running through him.
Maiev was prepared. She handed him a ragged piece of parchment stained in great part with the unfortunate Thera’brin’s blood. On it had been scrawled in what also appeared to be the mage’s bodily fluids a message written in a long-disused style of night elf script that stirred memories of the days when Zin-Azshari was still the capital and the evil of Queen Azshara was as yet unknown.
Suffer Not Traitors . . .
“We knew that there would be those who would never forgive them,” Tyrande said.
“But we thought that they would listen to reason, at least up to the point of not going through with such a heinous act.” The archdruid returned his gaze to Maiev. “Found near where you practice?”
“Yes. Either someone thought him a gift or they decided that the Watchers could be blamed.”
Her declaration was not without merit. Maiev and her Watchers were among the many uncomfortable with the thought of the Highborne’s eventual return to the fold.
“This will not remain a secret,” Tyrande said. “And should not.”
Malfurion agreed. “More important, we must find the assassins and deal with them before this grows worse. The timing can be no coincidence! This is not just about the Highborne; this is meant to cause chaos during the summit.”
“You are right, my love. I will ask Shandris—”
Suddenly kneeling before Tyrande, Maiev bent her head and declared, “Let me uncover the culprits! I know the facts better than any! I have investigated the body for all clues and studied the area in which it was found! There is nothing more anyone else could do. Give this matter to me! I swear I will do all in my power to see that those who would seek to foment unrest among our kind will be dealt with!”
Tyrande looked to Malfurion, who nodded. The high priestess gently put a hand on Maiev’s shoulder. The kneeling night elf looked up, gaze intent.
“I can think of few more dedicated to our people and their needs. Take command of this investigation, Maiev, and do it with my blessing.”
Some of the Sentinels did not look entirely pleased with this choice but held their peace.
Maiev looked as if Tyrande had granted her the greatest desire of her life. She rose and saluted the pair. “I will see this through, whatever sacrifice it must take!”
“I insist you take care, Maiev.”
Jarod’s sister grudgingly nodded, but her eyes did not show agreement. Both Tyrande and Malfurion were aware how focused Maiev could be when set upon a mission. In this case they needed that focus, and thus neither said more to discourage the warden from following through as she might need.
“The Highborne will want Thera’brin’s body returned,” Malfurion commented. “I think it best if I lead that effort. They already believe that the rest of us would rather see them wiped from the face of Azeroth; this will hardly improve their disposition.”
“Do as you say.” The high priestess touched his cheek. “But take care around them.”
“You know that I will.”
Maiev bowed her head again. “With your permission, I will begin this hunt immediately.”
Tyrande nodded. Replacing her helmet, Maiev silently departed.
“I will send four Sentinels with you when you go to the Highborne,” Tyrande informed her husband. “They will act as bearers for the body.”
“Let me seek the aid of some of my calling. It might not be wise for the Highborne to be confronted by armed fighters just now.”
She saw the wisdom in his choice. “Are you going to leave immediately?”
“Not just yet. I wish Velen’s opinion on this and some other matters. I had not expected his arrival, but it may be that it was fortuitous. We will need his steady demeanor to keep temperatures from boiling over once all know of the murder. Every distrust among the various factions will suddenly rise to the forefront.”
It was decided that the Sentinels would remain on guard here for as long as needed. Tyrande also summoned another pair of priestesses versed in the preserving arts to do what they could to maintain the freshness of the body.
Aware that they could not let the Highborne wait long before being told of the discovery, the archdruid and the high priestess quickly returned to the banquet. They had feared that their absence might have caused a wariness to settle over the other participants, but, to their relief, everyone still seemed at ease. Part of that likely had to do with Velen, who had departed his seat to speak with the Dark Irons. What matter there was that would bring the draenei and the dwarves together, neither night elf could say, but Velen had somehow managed not only to keep Drukan distracted but also to make him feel cheered.
“The Light truly works in amazing ways,” Malfurion murmured to his wife.
“And Velen is clearly schooled in the art of diplomacy.” Tyrande hesitated as she saw another Sentinel approaching. “More news . . .”
The Sentinel saluted and immediately said, “High Priestess, Stormwind has arrived.”
The news brought both relief and concern to Malfurion and his mate. Tyrande asked, “How long ago?”
“When I left with this news, they had just disembarked. I searched for you here, but could not find you.”
The high priestess eyed her husband. “The attendants on duty at the portal have orders to guide the party to their quarters, but I should go and greet Varian. . . .”
To their other side, Genn Greymane’s voice suddenly rose above the din. He had an audience that consisted of most of Kurdran’s party. Genn, clearly much more relaxed due to not only the acceptance the others had shown but also the dwarven ale he had just finished downing, had begun regaling the others with some of his past battles against the Horde.